Umax gets new Mac license, Motorola drops new box

One of the two remaining Macintosh clone makers, Umax Data Systems, hasannounced that it has secured a new licensing agreement with Apple Computerthat allows it to offer MacOS 8.0 with its systems. To get this license,Umax had to agree to pursue markets Apple will forgo, so Umax's upcomingMacOS 8 systems will target the low-end.

In other Apple news, Mac cloner Motorola has announced that it will notbe manufacturing its upcoming StarMax Pro 6000 computer because Applerefuses to license any CHRP-compatible hardware.

"We invested a substantial amount in the development of CHRP systems, whichare ready to go. It's a solid product, the most powerful machines ever built," Denis Saloky, director of marketing for Motorola's StarMax line said. "Users want the system, but unfortunately the product may never get to market. I have few reasons to be optimistic at this point"

The StarMax 6000 uses the new PowerPC 750 CPU, which makes the machineconsiderably faster than anything Apple sells. Apple isn't interested incompeting with other CHRP designs, however, and will only grant licensesto companies that do not compete with Apple