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Psystar Will Countersue Apple
An anonymous reader sends us to CNet for news that Apple clone maker Pystar plans to countersue Apple. We discussed Apple's suit last month. "Mac clone maker Psystar plans to file its answer to Apple's copyright infringement lawsuit Tuesday as well as a countersuit of its own, alleging that Apple engages in anticompetitive business practices. Miami-based Psystar... will sue Apple under two federal laws designed to discourage monopolies and cartels, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, saying Apple's tying of the Mac OS to Apple-labeled hardware is 'an anticompetitive restraint of trade,' according to [an] attorney... Psystar is requesting that the court find Apple's EULA void, and is asking for unspecified damages."
Bad example, as the Xserve costs pretty much what a comparable server from Dell costs, it just includes a Server OS. Your Dell server needs a separate license for Windows Server. When you add in CALs, an Exchange/file server can easily cost more in software than it does in hardware.
I did a comparison last year and found that a Dell PowerEdge with similar specs to the Xserve cost less than 10% more:
Dell $6506 vs Apple $5495
but when you add in Windows Server, Exchange Standard, and the required CALs to support 100 users, the Dell ends up well over $10,000 more. The Xserve comes with an unlimited license to Mac OS X Server.
Dell $17,206 vs Apple $5495.
I'm sure you can spec out a DIY PC box that saves you a few hundred in hardware, but you can't make Windows server licensing cost less.
Of course, you can also use Linux or other free software, but if that was your intent, you don't need to steal Apple's software in the first place. Even so, Apple's Xserve hardware is attractive enough that buyers do get it and install YDL.
Apple's Open Calendar Server vs Microsoft Exchange
Will Google's Android Play DOS to Apple's iPhone?
Your argument would have more weight if you stated one.
What are these "horrid tactics," licensing software for less than Microsoft does? Trying to get iTunes users to try Safari on Windows? Releasing software updates faster than most rivals? Processing hundreds of vulnerability reports within a couple months? Lay it on the line if you have a grief, don't just suggest evil lurking were none does.
What's Next from Apple: New iPods Sept 22, iPhone OS 2.1, iTunes 8.0