Apple's OS X Upgrade Fiasco

'Tis the season for big price breaks, but Apple Computers didn't intend to offer its users a $100 discount on the newest Macintosh operating system.

But staffers at tech site Macfixit, in search of a simple workaround, were surprised to discover that they could easily convert OS X 10.1.1 upgrade CDs into fully functioning, complete copies of the OS X operating system.

OS X 10.1.1 is intended only to upgrade certain features of the OS X operating system.

OS X 10.1.1 is priced at $19.95. Apple sells the complete version of OS X for $129.00.

Shortly after Macfixit posted the details of its discovery -- which involves deleting a specific module from the upgrade CD's files -- Macfixit received a letter from Apple's lawyers threatening legal action if the story wasn't immediately removed from the site.

A statement on the Macfixit site reads: "Apple has asked us to remove the information regarding how to convert an Mac OS X 10.1 Update CD to a full install CD."

"Although we believe the information provides a legitimate method for dealing with certain troubleshooting issues (as explained in the original article) and that we were not advocating anything illegal, we understand Apple's concern and have thus cooperated."

"Some people aren't happy with OS X 10.1.1, but once they run the update, they can't revert back to the version of the system that they were happy with," Jerven said. "Removing that module, while screwing up Apple's profits, allows you to go back to 10.1. People may want the information who have no desire or intent to rip off Apple by getting a complete copy of OS X for $20."

View: The whole article @ Wired