If I go iMac or MBP, do I need all new PP software??

[HarrisonClicks]

hey all,

For the first time in my life, after hearing all of the comments from friends, I am considering a MBP but may wait 4 months or so for the new MBPs. I own the latest versions of CS4 and Lightroom and use these apps on my PC. So do I need to buy these apps again?

I guess I am confused. Someone told me I can run these apps in some sort of windows emulator mode (as you can see, I never owned or even used an apple computer). But wouldn't running them in the naitive apple OS be faster and more efficient? Do they offer an 'upgrade' to a mac version of these apps if i already own the PC version?

Thanks.

Adam

[Tony-S]

You can boot any of the current Macs with native Win XP SP2 or greater, Vista or Win 7. You can also run Parallels or Fusion as Mac applications which permit virtual desktops of nearly any x86 operating system. Virtualization is about 80% native speed in my experience.

You can crossgrade current versions of Adobe apps for a small fee (e.g., Win PSCS4 > Mac PSCS4), but you'd have to pay upgrade prices for PSCS3 > PSCS4 crossgrade.

[TheHoff]

I wonder if you should get your free CS4 cross-grade now. If you wait until the new MBPs come out, CS5 may also be out, in which case you'd have to pay an upgrade fee to even get a working version on OS X as they won't cross-grade if a new version is out. Your Win copy should keep working, right?

You don't want to run PP apps under virtualization as that will eat a gig of RAM just to open up the virtual machine.

[HarrisonClicks]

Thanks! So a crossgrade seems like the way to go. But i would still want my win version to work. Right now, I can install and run on 2 machines. If I could install and run one on a win and 1 on a mac, that would work for me just fine.

[basroil]

You can crossgrade, but why bother? A lot of plugins may not be compatible, and installing windows on a mac is pretty pointless unless you need OSX. Spend the same amount of money on a regular windows laptop or desktop that you would spend getting something similar from apple, and you'll be VERY happy with performance, most likely it'll be about 4x faster than current MBP and between 20% and 400% faster than the new iMacs (27" i7, you can get a cooler running case and RAID'ed hard disks, but other than RAID performance should be comparable , for i5, you can get about 100% faster, and for 20" ones and 27" core 2 duo, up to 400% faster) AND have either dual 24" monitors or 27" +19" (27" main, vertically set 19" for grid mode, pallets, etc) (compared to 27" i7)

[Tony-S]

You can crossgrade, but why bother? A lot of plugins may not be compatible, and installing windows on a mac is pretty pointless unless you need OSX.

Just accept that many people are tired of issues they have with Windows and want to move to Macs. Do you work for Microsoft or something?

[TheHoff]

Ummm he said he wanted a MacBook Pro and you're talking about RAID arrays and dual monitors? Maybe he really wants a nice laptop. Maybe he likes the design. Maybe he likes OS X. I still haven't seen any Windows laptops as nice as the Unibody MBPs for an overall package (of course if you need Blu-Ray or you want the most value for your money, this is not the way to go).

It just seems silly when he says he is considering a MBP and asks about software licenses and you go off on a wiiiide tangent. Speed is only one factor when considering what laptop to purchase.

[wlescall]

Just accept that many people are tired of issues they have with Windows and want to move to Macs. Do you work for Microsoft or something?

Do what I did ... ignore list. I think he works for Dell. ;)


To the OP:

Most do not expect the new MBP's to be released until Jan/Feb.

Macs will run at full speed (NOT emulation), if you boot up through Boot Camp. But if you are going to do that, why bother with a Mac? As I'm sure Basroil has said in some form, you can get more for less.

Also you should be aware that Lightrom 3 Beta is out & PS CS5 is out in an alpha version. You would have to factor the upgrade costs for those in also (based on the jan/feb time frame).

[davidcrebelxt]

Thanks! So a crossgrade seems like the way to go. But i would still want my win version to work. Right now, I can install and run on 2 machines. If I could install and run one on a win and 1 on a mac, that would work for me just fine.

I believe LR you can use your current software key for BOTH mac or windows (if you bought disc, you may just need to download the mac trial from Adobe, then plug in your product key.) Also allowed to install on 2 computers (doesn't matter if one is mac and one is pc), just not supposed to be in use at same physical time.

CS is different IIRC. If you cross-grade to mac you are no longer supposed to use the Windows copy (even though you are still able to install on 2 computers.) Silly, I know... esp. since LR is so simple... but hopefully they fix that with the CS5 release.

[HarrisonClicks]

The thing is this: At home, I have a Dell XPS mothership thats 2 years old with dual 27" monitors and 3 hard drives and memory and all that crap. It's my main workplace and I run CS4, Lightroom, Premiere CS4 on occassion, etc. That will not change.

At work (I am a lawyer during my day job), I have a Dell Precision M-whatever that is now 4 years old. I am the president of the firm so I can get whatever I want (subject to my own economic decisions, etc). I am ready to make a change. I have never owned an apple. I own an iPhone and i love it, and everyone - and i mean EVERYONE - i talk to that owns a mac tells me they love it.

So it got me thinking: Get a mac at work? It would need to run some not so common apps we use like our time and billing software, but i am assuming in emulator mode I can do that, or I can just boot up in windows mode. But I would want to take this on the road when vacationing to edit photos, post to POTN, etc. The easy thing to do would be to just get another Dell laptop. But I only make a jump every 4 years or so.

Hence my question on software costs to run the photo stuff on native apple.

[TheHoff]

The iPhone switched me, too. I need to try out their new iPhone-like mouse and see if that is as cool as it looks.

You can run anything you want if you get the MBP -- you can dual boot over to Vista/Win7 and run things natively without emulation or with a $99 software package you can run a virtual machine under OS X and run the Windows application in an OS X window.

I don't know if you'll get any clarification on the CS4 cross-grade question... I'm sure Adobe's official response is that once you cross-grade you cannot use your Windows version, and legally that is likely the case according to the license. But are they going to revoke your Windows key and stop it from working? Do you care? Is their cross-grade policy stupid? (Yes) At least you're investigating first; I just assumed my CS3 Windows key would work for CS3 OS X.

[wlescall]

The thing is this: At home, I have a Dell XPS mothership thats 2 years old with dual 27" monitors and 3 hard drives and memory and all that crap. It's my main workplace and I run CS4, Lightroom, Premiere CS4 on occassion, etc. That will not change.

At work (I am a lawyer during my day job), I have a Dell Precision M-whatever that is now 4 years old. I am the president of the firm so I can get whatever I want (subject to my own economic decisions, etc). I am ready to make a change. I have never owned an apple. I own an iPhone and i love it, and everyone - and i mean EVERYONE - i talk to that owns a mac tells me they love it.

So it got me thinking: Get a mac at work? It would need to run some not so common apps we use like our time and billing software, but i am assuming in emulator mode I can do that, or I can just boot up in windows mode. But I would want to take this on the road when vacationing to edit photos, post to POTN, etc. The easy thing to do would be to just get another Dell laptop. But I only make a jump every 4 years or so.

Hence my question on software costs to run the photo stuff on native apple.

For your day job the following may be helpful (or at least provide you sources/inspiration for further info):
http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/twomey/
http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/mancino/

Since you plan on keeping your home setup - if you want to use the Adobe applications, I believe you would have to purchase them separately for the Mac. I think their user agreement covers 2 computers total on the same platform and not in use at the same time. There are less expensive alternatives for PS - Pixelmator for one has come a long way in its development, or get LR for basic work on the MBP as it uses Camera Raw. I save my color critical work for my home monitor as opposed to a laptop screen.

[HarrisonClicks]

But are they going to revoke your Windows key and stop it from working? Do you care?

The only reason I would care is if I crossgrade and then my mothership at home suddenly pops up a dialog box when I start CS4, tells me I am screwed, and then closes the app. :cry: And if THAT happens, I guess its $999 to fix it (or whatever a full version of CS4 goes for these days)!

[René Damkot]

The thing is this: At home, I have a Dell XPS mothership thats 2 years old with dual 27" monitors and 3 hard drives and memory and all that crap. It's my main workplace and I run CS4, Lightroom, Premiere CS4 on occassion, etc. That will not change.

In that case you'll have to buy an additional license for PSCS4 for Mac.
Hard to justify that additional cost IMO.

Or you could run Windows on the MBP. But IMO the one major reason to get a Mac is the OS...

So I'd probably stick with a windows laptop.

[HarrisonClicks]

For your day job the following may be helpful (or at least provide you sources/inspiration for further info):
http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/twomey/
http://www.apple.com/business/profiles/mancino/



Thanks for the links!

[HarrisonClicks]

In that case you'll have to buy an additional license for PSCS4 for Mac.
Hard to justify that additional cost IMO.

I fully agree.

[wlescall]

But I would want to take this on the road when vacationing to edit photos, post to POTN, etc. The easy thing to do would be to just get another Dell laptop. But I only make a jump every 4 years or so.

Hence my question on software costs to run the photo stuff on native apple.

The only reason I would care is if I crossgrade and then my mothership at home suddenly pops up a dialog box when I start CS4, tells me I am screwed, and then closes the app. :cry: And if THAT happens, I guess its $999 to fix it (or whatever a full version of CS4 goes for these days)!

When I travel, I take my 15" MBP. I them create a LR library for each shoot/location and do basic editing in LR using the develop (Camera Raw). Color Critical and fine detail work I do on my home desktop.

If you want a MBP, you best bet may be to buy a separate copy and use it on your travels. If you are a NAPP member, you can get a discount for both the MBP & LR. Or even just use PS Elements as cost effective alternatives.

[basroil]

Just accept that many people are tired of issues they have with Windows and want to move to Macs. Do you work for Microsoft or something?

Ummm he said he wanted a MacBook Pro and you're talking about RAID arrays and dual monitors? Maybe he really wants a nice laptop. Maybe he likes the design. Maybe he likes OS X.

OP had said he "hears" they are nice, hence I know he hasn't used OSX extensively enough to say he "knows" or "thinks".

The thing is this: At home, I have a Dell XPS mothership thats 2 years old with dual 27" monitors and 3 hard drives and memory and all that crap. It's my main workplace and I run CS4, Lightroom, Premiere CS4 on occassion, etc. That will not change.

At work (I am a lawyer during my day job), I have a Dell Precision M-whatever that is now 4 years old. I am the president of the firm so I can get whatever I want (subject to my own economic decisions, etc). I am ready to make a change. I have never owned an apple. I own an iPhone and i love it, and everyone - and i mean EVERYONE - i talk to that owns a mac tells me they love it.

So it got me thinking: Get a mac at work? It would need to run some not so common apps we use like our time and billing software, but i am assuming in emulator mode I can do that, or I can just boot up in windows mode. But I would want to take this on the road when vacationing to edit photos, post to POTN, etc. The easy thing to do would be to just get another Dell laptop. But I only make a jump every 4 years or so.

Hence my question on software costs to run the photo stuff on native apple.

Depending on how your office is set up, program size, you may not be able to use a Mac unless it is in bootcamp, due to licensing issues. Many licenses don't cover vitualization. Software cost wise, if there is an osx version of the program, it'll cost and run the same as the windows, 90% of the time. There are some exceptions, but those are for you to research.
As for everyone saying something or other, if EVERYONE told you to jump off a cliff in a suit, would you do it? Apple thought it was a great ad idea ;)

Another thing that nobody ever considers is virtualization of OSX on windows. Just like there's parallels for macs to run a windowed windows, there's plenty of virtualization software that does the opposite. VirtualBox can run OSX using Intel's VT technology, so it'll run as fast as parallels does windows.