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New Mac clone maker to open retail store in Calif.
C-Net News ^ | 05/29/2009 | by Jim Dalrymple

Posted on 05/29/2009 11:30:49 AM PDT by Swordmaker

The idea of creating a Mac clone complete with Mac OS X is not a new concept. However, one company is taking its entry into the clone market a step further by opening a retail store in the Los Angeles area.


The new Quo Computer, set to go on sale next week.
(Credit: Quo Computer)

Quo Computer plans to open its first retail location, selling Mac clones, on June 1. This is the first time that I'm aware of that a clone maker will have a storefront to sell its wares. Mac clone companies, to this point, have chosen to sell their systems exclusively on the Web.

"It's exciting. We are trying to stay as close to Apple as we can with our products," Rashantha De Silva, Quo founder, told CNET News. "We are trying to mimic things as much as we can. I'm hoping that Apple sees the value in what we are doing."

Apple was not immediately available for comment on Quo's endeavors. Apple's approach to dealing with Mac clones to this point has been far from understanding. The company has a long history of protecting its intellectual property and industrial designs through the courts--just ask troubled clone maker Psystar. That's not lost on De Silva.

"They probably will (sue us)," De Silva said. "There are others doing this, but we have a different attitude. There are thousands of people in the 'Hackintosh' market, but many of them are creating bad products. I don't think anyone wins in that environment."

It's this attitude of selling a high-quality product--albeit cheaper than Apple's offerings--that De Silva hopes will appeal to consumers. Quo vows top-notch support for its customers too.

"Our customer service is gong to be up there with Apple's," De Silva said. "Hardware is important, software is important, and support is hugely important."

Quo's systems will come with Mac OS X Leopard preinstalled. You have to agree to the license when ordering the computer for them to install the operating system. But this brings up a longstanding issue between Apple and clone makers.

Apple's end-user license agreement, or EULA, forbids exactly what the clone makers are doing--installing Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware. "This license allows you to install, use, and run one (1) copy of the Apple software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time," the EULA reads. "You agree not to install, use, or run the Apple software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so."

This is the argument Apple lawyers used to sue Psystar for selling Mac clones over the Web. Apple and Psystar were scheduled to start their trial in November, but Psystar filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this week.

Even with previous clone failures, De Silva is marching on. To start, Quo will offer three desktop systems: the Life Q, Pro Q, and Max Q. While details of the components are not yet available, De Silva said they are looking at Apple's system configurations for guidance.

Pricing has also not been finalized on the desktop machines, but the company is looking to start pricing at less than $900.

While Quo is starting off with the desktop machines, De Silva said it is looking at offering an Apple TV-like media server and a smaller computer similar to the Mac Mini. Plans on those systems have not been finalized.

In addition to having its retail location and Web-ordering system to ship systems worldwide, De Silva said Quo also wants to be involved in the local community and schools. He hopes to work with school boards to get computers in the hands of children and teachers.

De Silva, a Mac user since 1984, said Quo will help switch PC users to the Mac and feels that ultimately, it will help Apple increase its market share. It remains to be seen if Apple will feel the same way.

The Quo Web site is being worked on now and is set to launch next week. The retail store, located at 2401 West Main Street, Alhambra, Calif., will open for business on June 1.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: apple; bestcomputer; cult; denniswthynameiszot; ilovebillgates; iwanthim; iwanthimbad; macintosh; microsoftfanboys; spamiswindows; spammer; timetobandennisw
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To: kevkrom

You said — In another few years, I bet I’ll still be using that same iMac, whereas I’d have been on my first or second replacement for an equivalent PC, and probably a 3rd replacement for a “bargain” PC. Which one is the better value in the long term?

Absolutely so, the Macs have a lot longer useful life for consumers than the other common PCs. And the Macs make very good “hand-me-down” computers for other members of the family, too.

I just hate to ever get rid of a Mac. I just want to buy another one, and another one — but keep all the old ones. They’re still useful...


21 posted on 05/29/2009 1:16:36 PM PDT by Star Traveler (The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a Zionist and Jerusalem is the apple of His eye.)
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To: Swordmaker

As long as the motherboards don’t burn up, I’m good with it...

I’ve had TWO macbooks, and an Ibook Pro burn up the motherboards.


22 posted on 05/29/2009 1:17:06 PM PDT by tcrlaf ("Hope" is the most Evil of all Evils"-Neitzsche)
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To: antiRepublicrat

You said — But what it doesn’t show is that you can put an extra hard drive inside the Dell, add one or two cables if you want an extra hard drive on the Mac.

Ummm..., just tack a 2 Terabyte drive onto an Airport Extreme WiFi Base Station and you’re set up... :-)
[add several drives if you want...]

http://www.apple.com/airportextreme/features/harddrivesharing.html

Oh.., and add a printer, too, and everyone can print to it.


23 posted on 05/29/2009 1:20:03 PM PDT by Star Traveler (The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a Zionist and Jerusalem is the apple of His eye.)
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To: dennisw; Swordmaker

Hey dennisw, did you see this?


Recession not slowing Apple’s retail plans
by Ben Furfie

“We’re investing in the downturn,” states SVP Ron Johnson as it prepares to refit 100 stores.”

Apple has said that the recession isn’t making the company slow down its retail expansion plans, but rather speeding them up.

“We know that a lot of people are cutting back, but we’re doing the opposite,” Apple’s senior vice president of retail, Ron Johnson told USA Today. “We’re investing in the downturn.”

He said that the company would be remodelling 100 of its current stores, while opening a further 25 stores across the world, including a fourth in New York. Much of the overhaul will focus on providing more service space within its stores for its Genius Bar, and selling space for its Mac computers.


http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/31696/Recession-not-slowing-Apples-retail-plans

That’s what a big cash-hoard and war-chest does for a company. They’re in excellent position to wipe up on the market, when the economy eventually picks back up again. It seems pretty smart on Apple’s part... :-)


24 posted on 05/29/2009 1:39:22 PM PDT by Star Traveler (The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a Zionist and Jerusalem is the apple of His eye.)
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To: max americana

i just saw they are going to be located in Alhambra, which is just south east of Downtown LA.

If I had the money, I’d buy a mac. Then download SUN’s free VM software and Windows 7 beta that is free to use until next April and have the best of both worlds!


25 posted on 05/29/2009 1:43:07 PM PDT by MAD-AS-HELL (Hope and Change. Rhetoric embraced by the Insane - Obama, The Chump in Charge)
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To: Star Traveler

Good point, if you don’t mind the slow throughput.


26 posted on 05/29/2009 1:43:51 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Swordmaker
"It's exciting. We are trying to stay as close to Apple as we can with our products," Rashantha De Silva, Quo founder, told CNET News. "We are trying to mimic things as much as we can. I'm hoping that Apple sees the value in what we are doing."

Some folks just don't pay attention to the news, even in their own industry... idiots.

27 posted on 05/29/2009 1:47:46 PM PDT by TheBattman (Pray for our country...)
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To: antiRepublicrat

You said — Good point, if you don’t mind the slow throughput.

I’ve got a cousin that is absolutely nuts about seeing “wires”... LOL.. She says, I don’t want to see wires anywhere... So, for someone like her, she probably wouldn’t mind.

For me, I’ve got a couple of external Firewire drives and am happy to use them. I’ve also got a plug for bare drives and I switch them out (for back-up stuff) and don’t even have them in a hard drive case (kind of like “hard-drive-floppies... LOL...).

I don’t mind the wires...


28 posted on 05/29/2009 1:49:08 PM PDT by Star Traveler (The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a Zionist and Jerusalem is the apple of His eye.)
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To: dennisw
Maybe it wasn’t you but various Apple enthusiasts claimed here that “someone” was funding Psystar

And you agreed it was a possibility: "Some deep pockets (Gates, Balmer, who knows?) may be helping out Psystar to defend themselves against this frivolous lawsuit"

Oh, I know, you mean funding their operations or the lawsuits? Funding operations for an outfit like this is nothing, even a small VC can do it. Some warehouse space, some computer parts, admin stuff, and you're good.

The hurdle to starting such an operation, what will prevent it from being started in the first place, is the question of whether they have funding for the inevitable lawsuit coming from Apple. They knew they'd be sued before they even opened shop. Someone promised that funding, and that someone can be considered to be behind this operation. This is the someone that is willing to spend millions to challenge Apple.

29 posted on 05/29/2009 2:02:29 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Star Traveler; dennisw
I’m sure Apple was “digging” for that information, too... doncha know...

Isn't it interesting that they filed for bankruptcy, stopping the case cold, right after the judge ordered them to turn over all those financials? Their backer ordered them to file to prevent exposure.

30 posted on 05/29/2009 2:04:42 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: MAD-AS-HELL

Alhambra? Not bad neighborhood, but it doesn’t have the smell of money if they re-located anywhere near the Wilshire corridor.


31 posted on 05/29/2009 3:27:38 PM PDT by max americana
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To: antiRepublicrat

Psystar was listed as owing its lawyer $89,000 so kind of doubtful outsiders were paying the legal bills. Yes I speculated otherwise before the bankruptcy was made public


32 posted on 05/29/2009 3:35:42 PM PDT by dennisw (Your action becomes your habit. Your habit becomes your character, that becomes your destiny)
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To: Star Traveler
MS has been famous for years for its large cash horde. Intel also has a stash. Get ready to short Apple because this recession isn't lifting any time soon and luxury items are getting hit hard. It is back to basics time and Win7 will give a permanent case of agita to Steve Jobs. Wherever he is holed up I hope they don't have newspaper deliveries.

Win7 will take a !0 billion dollar bite out of Apple. Call your broker and get ready to short AAPL

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ephgu1.jpg

33 posted on 05/29/2009 3:45:19 PM PDT by dennisw (Your action becomes your habit. Your habit becomes your character, that becomes your destiny)
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To: dennisw
Psystar was listed as owing its lawyer $89,000

The case just started, barely into discovery, which Psystar was blocking so as not to have to divulge investors. A case such as this would cost millions for Psystar to win. They have a backer.

34 posted on 05/29/2009 3:59:27 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: dennisw; Star Traveler
Get ready to short Apple because this recession isn't lifting any time soon and luxury items are getting hit hard.

Somehow Apple is posting record profits during this recession while low-end Dell just saw its profits drop by two thirds. Your predictions don't jive with reality.

Win7 will take a !0 billion dollar bite out of Apple.

As a current user of both the release candidate Windows 7 and the year-and-a-half old OS X Leopard, I can say that Windows 7 as it is now poses little competition on technical or usability grounds. This doesn't even count that the next version of OS X (due this summer) will be out before the production release of Windows 7 (due this fall), leaping ahead of it.

35 posted on 05/29/2009 4:07:09 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat

Steve Jobs is secretly backing PsyStar. He admires their spunk and verve just like when he was young starting out in a garage just like the Psystar boys

Plus Jobs knows Psystar gets gets more publicity for Apple. Also more hackers which he winks an eye at
While Steve is laid up he is in daily contact with Psystar and this new outfit. Recounting days from his youth when he was a hacker. It makes him feel young again and takes his mind off this pancreatic ailment


36 posted on 05/29/2009 4:27:50 PM PDT by dennisw (Your action becomes your habit. Your habit becomes your character, that becomes your destiny)
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To: antiRepublicrat

Win7 is slicker than an eel. It slips and slides so fast that 0SX is an embarrassment standing next to it. You will be moving to it very soon. The Apple users will no longer be the cool kids. They will be the losers exiled to the AV squad unable to get dates with dogs and snakes


37 posted on 05/29/2009 4:32:41 PM PDT by dennisw (Your action becomes your habit. Your habit becomes your character, that becomes your destiny)
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To: dennisw
Win7 is slicker than an eel. It slips and slides so fast that 0SX is an embarrassment standing next to it.

You forget I use both. Having a day job using Windows systems and doing some programming for Windows I still have to keep up on that end. But the "slick" Windows 7 is just paint over NT with a few features more designed to be pretty than for usability. Turn off the fancy stuff and it looks 90% like Windows 2000.

The only place Windows 7 impresses me is under the hood, where you never look. And even then it mainly impresses me relative to Windows XP, not when compared to OS X (UNIX rocks!).

38 posted on 05/29/2009 4:44:02 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: dennisw

You know, your doctor prescribed you those meds for a reason.

Time to take them.


39 posted on 05/29/2009 4:45:23 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat

How far under the hood? Topping off your wiper fluid means nothing. Get ready to short AAPL or you will be taking it in the shorts


40 posted on 05/29/2009 4:52:33 PM PDT by dennisw (Your action becomes your habit. Your habit becomes your character, that becomes your destiny)
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