CNET reviews Psystar's Snow Leopard-based Open(Q)
Update: So it's clear, neither this post nor the video constitute the official CNET review. Click here for the full write-up with specs, charts, pricing and detailed analysis.
It's been almost exactly a year since we last reviewed a Psystar desktop. During that 12 month gap, Apple's suit against Psystar has steadily advanced through the court system, Psystar entered into and emerged from bankruptcy, and Apple released a brand-new operating system by way of Mac OS X 10.6.1, aka Snow Leopard. Somehow, none of those events has stopped Psystar from selling its own computers using Apple's Mac OS X operating system.
The Open(Q) largely comes from the same mold as other Psystar computers we've reviewed. It offers better core specs, and thus better performance, than a comparable Apple desktop for the same price. Psystar has also successfully transitioned to Snow Leopard in its non-Apple certified systems, with no apparent missing features or glitches.
Even more than in the past, this Psystar PC feels cheap. Part of Psystar's business model is that it keeps prices lower than Apple's, so we understand cutting a few corners. But both the case and the motherboard feel more out of date and low-end than previous Psystar desktops. And, because of the legal proceedings especially, the usual concerns about Psystar's capability to support its computers persist.
You can read our full review for the details of the Psystar Open(Q). With the recent news that Psystar is licensing its strategy for installing Mac OS X onto non-Apple PCs, perhaps some other brave vendor will find a way to challenge Apple on value and Psystar on craftsmanship. Until then, we're sure Psystar still has plenty of potential customers out there who are curious, looking for a deal, or who simply want to circumvent the Apple machine.
Read our review of the Psystar Open(Q).
Rich Brown reviews desktops and various other components and peripherals for CNET. E-mail Rich. 
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I gave up counting the "uhhh"s after about 50 and stopped watching. I would have watched the whole thing had you done it more like it was your job than a 5th grade show & tell
No Uh's in there, I promise.
And, so it's clear, the video is not the review. We call 'em First Looks for a reason, folks. The official CNET review is written. Go here: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/psystar-open-q/4505-3118_7-33773143.html for full analysis with specs and benchmark results.
I also beg to differ on the iMac not being a proper comparison. If you're seriously shopping for a Mac Pro, chances are you're not worried about or tempted by the Psystar's $799 price tag. But if you try to square the price away between the baseline 24-inch iMac and the Psystar by factoring in a 24-inch display and other things the Psystar lacks, all of a sudden you're in the same price ballpark. If you read the written review, you'll see the performance between the two is remarkably close, too.
If you'd like to see how a Psystar designed to compete with a Mac Pro might perform, check out our review of the Psystar Open Pro from a year ago: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/psystar-openpro/4505-3118_7-33318861.html. No Snow Leopard results on that one, though.
And for the record, I've never bought into the idea that the form factor dictates the comparison exclusively. It's a place to start, certainly, but if I'm headed to the store with $1,000 in my pocket, I also want to know how to get the most system for that amount, regardless of what that systems might look like. That means expanding your horizons and comparing systems not only by form factor, which we did cross-platform style in the Psystar review with a $700-ish desktop from ZT Group, but also by price neighborhood for everything else on the shelf.
The most expensive version of this system (2xHDD, 2xBluray, Firewire, WLAN, Bluetooth) will run you 2,258.99.
Thank you :)
S stands for System
X stands for 10
So if you are complaining about CNET editors calling it Oh Es Ex then you really should be asking yourself. Why is it ok to use the letter form of the first two words, but not the third word?
Also, more importantly, why do you care so much if he calls it Oh Es Ex??? Does it have ANY influence on the effectiveness of the review?
- by chrikett October 12, 2009 7:36 AM PDT
- Hah, I didn't know its was pronounced "ten". This will give the apple fans something to correct others on for years.
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