Psystar doesn't fade away, offers sweet Linux machine in addition to Mac clone

After all the heat Psystar took in the blogosphere for its erstwhile Macintosh clone -- a commodity box that can run OS X -- many said the company was either a sham or about to fade quickly away.

Well, in recent days, the company has begun offering its own updates to Psystar Macs' operating system, pledges more surprises in the future, and is also offering a pretty nice $299 computer called the OpenLite that runs many versions of Linux and has pretty nice specs for the price. While the page just linked to says they preinstall Ubuntu, the most recent announcement has them also willing to install CentOS and Fedora for those who want them.

Pretty nice, I think.

Here are those specs:

Base Configuration

* Ubuntu Linux 8.04 included (note: now you can get CentOS or Fedora, too).
* no keyboard, mouse, or monitor included
* 1.8GHz Intel Celeron 430 1.8 GHz
* 1GB of DDR2 667 memory
* Integrated Intel GMA 950
* 20x DVD+/-RW SATA drive
* Gigabit Ethernet
* 4 rear USB Ports
* Integrated 5 Channel Audio

I'd be better with a dual-core processor (add $40). There are other options, but that's all I'd need.

This is the first computer at this price, I believe, that comes with a choice of Ubuntu, CentOS or Fedora.

If you really want it, they'll throw Windows XP, Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate on there for an extra $125 to $200. But you can get that anywhere, right?