Charles Arthur, a writer for Guardian Unlimited, was just as amused as we were by Psystar. The company claims to have every intention of continuing to sell their Open Computer (previously known as OpenMac), which allows users to run Mac OS X on it, and also optionally comes with it pre-installed. They’ve also added the OpenPro, a more expensive counterpart, to their lineup.
While we were all busy discussing the legality of these products, whether or not Apple would sue them, and how much time they are going to stay on the market, Charles took a peek behind the scenes to try and figure out how genuine the company itself is.
He found that even though the domain name of their official website had been registered in 2000, a Google search for it revealed no results at all from before the past week. None at all. If that wasn’t suspicious enough, a phone call to the company’s official hotline number took the trip into murkier waters. The HR department was unavailable in the middle of the day and there was no customer support to speak of.
What is perhaps most surprising is the fact that, within just a few hours, the company apparently moved from a residential area in 112th Street in Miami to a corporate one in 28th Street in the same city. Huh? In case you aren’t sure where we’re going with this, allow me to make it clear—for all we know, this might be an elaborate scam.
The folks at Gizmodo, apparently, were equally suspicious, so they requested some readers to visit the two addresses and confirm whether the company has any form of physical presence or not. Not too surprisingly, it doesn’t. The first location is, as expected, a residential area—there’s no evidence of it having any relation to Psystar. The second address belongs to a packing supply company called “USA Koen Pack” and no one there has heard any mention of Psystar either.
We’re not sure what exactly is afoot, but you may want to think twice before sending any of your hard earned money their way. All evidence we have so far points to them not having any traceable identity and they absolutely cannot be trusted.
It’s one thing to sell a computer that severely breaches Apple’s licensing terms, but another altogether if the company intends to rake in the money and run without ever shipping any actual units. Next thing you know, they might’ve packed their bags and gone on a one-way trip across the Earth. No one wants to be stuck staring sadly at a crooked smiley on what used to be the company’s website.
Thoughts, suggestions, funny anecdotes? Feel free to unleash them on us.
Real businesses don't tend to adopt business plans that will immediately result in a cease and desist letter. It's hard to find investors when there is a very real chance you'll simply be shut down.
Can't we all chip in a few bucks, order one for MacUser and see what all the fuss is about?
Real businesses don't quote humorous chain email messages when selling their products.
Of course there could be a ton of cash to made from selling OSX compatible boxes.
So one idea could be to test Apple on this and see how it shakes down in court before committing to any manufacturing.
In the past it was always the IP in the Mac-Roms that was the problem, with that barrier removed it might be worth pursuing the legality of it in court.