Mac-clone maker Psystar's countersuit against Apple has been dismissed, with the court rejecting Psystar's claim of Apple's monopoly. Psystar argued that by forcing customers buying Mac OS to use Apple's hardware, the company was engaging in anti-competitive trade practices. The judge hearing the case took issue with Psystar's portrayal of the Apple market as separate from the PC market at large. Since users always have the choice of using a computer with Linux or a Windows system, and Mac OS performs the same functions, the judge found plenty of evidence for healthy competition in the marketplace. He cited Apple's heavy advertising campaigns as an example: was there no competition, there would be no need to advertise. Psystar has until December 8th to re-present its case.

What do you think? Is this a fair interpretation of the computer marketplace? Do you long-term Mac users think you'd jump over to a Windows machine if Apple doubled its prices, or is there really a separate marketplace for Apple products that Apple isn't letting anyone else in to?