Psystar Mac Clone Video: See For Yourself

There's been much speculation in the blogosphere about the legitimacy of Mac clone-maker Psystar, and whether it really exists. Now there appears to be proof.Psystar has posted a video on its home page that shows the company's Open Computer and OpenPro Mac clones in action. The systems appear to be sleek and professionally constructed.

One portion of the video shows a Leopard-based Open Computer running Quake 4, "with all of the settings turned to the max," according to the unidentified narrator.

(The narrator, btw, sounds a lot like the Psystar employee named "Robert" that I spoke with last week. Robert wouldn't give me his last name, but I'm guessing he's the Roberto Pedraza that Florida business records list as a co-operator of the company).

The video also shows Psystar computers running Ubuntu Linux and Windows XP.

An exterior shot of the company's headquarters reveals a light industrial sort of place with the Psystar logo on the front. On the door are the words "Not Open To The Public."

(The latter shouldn't set off alarm bells -- it appears that Psystar has set itself up as an Internet-only operation).

Questions about legality aside, Psystar says its Mac-clones cost about one-quarter of what similarly configured systems from Apple would cost. I haven't personally checked out a Psystar system, so can't vouch for their quality.

But they look good on video. Check it out for yourself on the company's home page.

BTW, Apple's EULA expressly forbids installation of its operating systems on third-party hardware, so if you do buy a Psystar clone, don't expect to get any support from Steve Jobs and Co.