Today in Apple History: Psystar's Clone Macs Go Rogue
April 27, 2008 was a day that marked the beginning of a new era in Apple history. On this day, Psystar Corporation shipped its first commercially distributed "hackintosh" computers, machines that ran Mac OS X on standard PCs with x86 architecture.
The story of Psystar begins with Rudy and Robert Pedraza, two brothers who founded the Miami-based company in 2006. Announced just a few months prior to their launch, Psystar's Open Computer was designed to be an affordable alternative to Apple's Mac lineup. The machines could come preinstalled with Mac OS X Leopard, and customers could tweak and upgrade the components if they wanted.
The Psystar Open Computer featured a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 processor, 2GB of DDR2 667 memory, integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, 20x DVD+/-R SATA drive, gigabit Ethernet, and four rear USB ports. Prices started at $399 for the basic model, while a fully kitted-out OpenPro machine running OS X could stretch to $1,154.99.
Psystar's marketing strategy was clever: the company positioned its machines as a PC that worked just like a Mac, but at a fraction of the cost. However, this approach would ultimately lead to Apple's wrath. Cupertino argued that Psystar's clones violated the Mac OS X software licensing agreement, and the company's low prices threatened to erode the value of Apple's brand.
The story of Apple vs. Psystar is a tale of two companies with different visions for the future of personal computing. For Apple, the goal was to create a seamless experience for customers who wanted to run OS X on their own hardware. But for Psystar, the focus was on providing an affordable alternative that would give consumers more choices in the market.
Despite its innovative approach, Psystar faced significant opposition from Apple. By July 2008, Cupertino had filed a copyright-infringement suit against the small PC-maker over its Open Computer clone Macs. The lawsuit accused Psystar of "direct and contributory copyright infringement, trademark and trade dress infringement, and violation of state and common law unfair competition laws."
Psitstar hit back, arguing that Apple abused its Mac OS X copyright by forcing customers who wanted to run the operating system to use Apple computers. In 2009, a U.S. District Court ruled in Apple's favor, handing the company a permanent injunction against Psystar.
The consequences were severe for Psystar: the company was forced to shut down its operations and pay Apple $2.67 million in damages. As one of the last products Psystar sold, a T-shirt reading "I sued Psystar, and all I got was a lousy injunction" became a symbol of the company's failed experiment.
Today, we can look back on this episode as a fascinating chapter in Apple history. While Psystar may have been ahead of its time, the company ultimately underestimated the power of Cupertino's brand and the limits of fair competition. As for Apple, the experience served as a reminder that innovation must always be balanced with fairness and respect for others' intellectual property.
A Brief History of Mac Clones
For those who may not know, the story of Mac clones goes back to the mid-1990s. In 1994, Apple licensed its OS to companies like Power Computing and Radius, with the goal of growing the Apple brand. However, this strategy ultimately proved costly for Cupertino.
Apple realized that licensing its operating system was generating less revenue than selling genuine Macs to customers. Instead of more Macs, the company resulted in cheaper Macs. When co-founder Steve Jobs returned to Apple, he ended the clone Macs scheme, buying out the remaining licenses as he focused on returning Apple to profitability.
The last Mac clone-maker, Power Computing, closed shop in early 1998. A decade later, Apple sat on top of the world, having restored the prestige of its Mac division and launched some of the most successful products of all time: the iPhone, iTunes Music Store, and iPod.
A New Era for Apple
No good reason compelled Apple to get back into the clone business. But that did not stop clone-makers from wanting to cash in on Apple's success. Psystar gave it a shot with the Open Computer, a machine that ran Mac OS X on standard PCs.
One of the most significant challenges facing Psystar was convincing customers that its machines were genuine Apple products, despite being manufactured by a third-party company. But as the company demonstrated, there was still a market for affordable alternatives to Apple's lineup.
A Lesson in Fair Competition
The story of Psystar and Apple serves as a reminder that innovation must always be balanced with fairness and respect for others' intellectual property. While Psystar may have been ahead of its time, the company ultimately underestimated the power of Cupertino's brand.
As we look to the future of personal computing, it is clear that fair competition will remain essential to driving progress and innovation in the industry. And for Apple, the experience with Psystar has only served to strengthen its commitment to fairness and respect for others' intellectual property.