Photoshop CS5 on a Mac

Hello
Will a Mac Book Pro 13.3 i5 2.5 GHz processor with 4GB of ram memory run PS CS5?
I'm sure the processor can handle the program, it's just the 4GB of memory i'm wondering about.
It was suggested to me that 6GB of memory would be needed.

Sure, it'll run. The question is, what size of files will you be using?

Tony-S wrote in post #16316762
Sure, it'll run. The question is, what size of files will you be using?

Why do you ask?
This laptop will be used for a Photoshop course.
It will not be used as my main computer for any Photoshop usage after I have taken the course.

canongear wrote in post #16316961
Why do you ask?

The larger the file, the more it will benefit from additional memory. So a 5D mark III raw file will require more than would a JPEG from a Powershot, for example.

Is is a Retina or non-Retina model? Dual-core or quad-core?

I used a MacBook Air for a basic course a while back and it worked without a hitch. For the long term, if you needed it, I'd say add 4GB memory. I currently have a 2.6 dual-core Pro w/8GB RAM and it runs fine for me.

Tony-S wrote in post #16317058
The larger the file, the more it will benefit from additional memory. So a 5D mark III raw file will require more than would a JPEG from a Powershot, for example.

Is is a Retina or non-Retina model? Dual-core or quad-core?

My files will be from a Canon 40D so, they won't be as big as a 5D marK III.
I'm really not familar with MacBooks but i'm guessing the one I will be using will be a Retina model.
See below.

oldbergkamp wrote in post #16317137
I used a MacBook Air for a basic course a while back and it worked without a hitch. For the long term, if you needed it, I'd say add 4GB memory. I currently have a 2.6 dual-core Pro w/8GB RAM and it runs fine for me.

Turns out I will be using a MacBook Air as well.
13-inch : 128GB
1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
Intel HD Graphics 5000
8GB memory
128GB flash storage
I hope the "turbo boost" will handle the CS5 program.

No Retina with the Air (which is why I upgraded) but it looks as though you're using the most current version. So, you should be good. Won't be rip-roaring but it'll get the job done.

Another question
I have PS CS5 on my desktop(Windows XP) pc, is it possible to get that to run on the MacBook as well?
Normally, it would be possible using Boot Camp but, the MB Air doesn't have an optical drive so, I can't use the Windows installation disc and there isn't a Mac installation disc either.
A free trial of Photoshop CC is available but I think that is only good for a month and the course I"ll be taking is spread out longer than a month.
Any suggestions how I might be able to do it without having to spends hundreds of dollars for PS, would be appreciated.

canongear wrote in post #16317207
My files will be from a Canon 40D so, they won't be as big as a 5D marK III.

Turns out I will be using a MacBook Air as well.
13-inch : 128GB
1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
Intel HD Graphics 5000
8GB memory
128GB flash storage
I hope the "turbo boost" will handle the CS5 program.

I have the MacBook Air with the i7 dual-core/HD5000 gpu and it renders 5Dii raw files in real-time with Aperture. I suspect Photoshop will, too, with your MBA. It is a beast of a machine. Do you plan to connect it to an external display?

canongear wrote in post #16317289
Another question
I have PS CS5 on my desktop(Windows XP) pc, is it possible to get that to run on the MacBook as well? Normally, it would be possible using Boot Camp but, the MB Air doesn't have an optical drive so, I can't use the Windows installation disc and there isn't a Mac installation disc either.

Best thing to do is to use a virtual machine. Is CS5 compatible with Win XP? If you can find someone with an external USB DVD drive you could use that. But when I installed Win 7 on my MacBook Pro I just used the disk image I downloaded from Microsoft.

Doesn't Adobe have some kind of monthly billing now? Seems like that could be cheaper, but I don't know the details.

Tony-S wrote in post #16317427
Do you plan to connect it to an external display?

Best thing to do is to use a virtual machine. Is CS5 compatible with Win XP? If you can find someone with an external USB DVD drive you could use that. But when I installed Win 7 on my MacBook Pro I just used the disk image I downloaded from Microsoft.

Doesn't Adobe have some kind of monthly billing now? Seems like that could be cheaper, but I don't know the details.

No plans at this time to hook it up to an external display.
If things go well regarding the course and learning how to use the Mac OS, I might get an iMac for future post processing work.
My current desktop is 8-9 years old so, i'm due for an upgrade.

I'll check into the Adobe monthly payment option.

Thank you and oldbergkamp for your replies.

Tony-S wrote in post #16317427
Best thing to do is to use a virtual machine. Is CS5 compatible with Win XP? If you can find someone with an external USB DVD drive you could use that. But when I installed Win 7 on my MacBook Pro I just used the disk image I downloaded from Microsoft.

That's certainly easy, but if there's another Mac in the house that has an optical drive, you can use it. If you share it on the other Mac, it will appear in your MB Air Finder as below. Of course, it will do this with WiFi, so you might want to make a pot of coffee. But it doesn't require additional software.