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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Computer question for those that have switched to a Mac
Philip Johnson, Photographer
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Garland | TX | USA | Posted: 11:10 PM on 09.02.09 |
->> Here's my situation, I have a desktop and Laptop PC. I need to buy a new laptop soon and was thinking of going to a Mac Book Pro. I can't afford to change both my laptop and desktop. Would I be able to switch my software over to the Mac laptop and still be able to run it on the desktop until I upgraded to a Mac desktop? I do most of my editing on my desktop and just use the laptop for editing in the field. Would I be able to get Mac copies on CS3 and Lightroom 2.3 for the Mac and not have to take them off the PC? Will I be able to do the same thing for Microsoft Office?
If you can give me some insight into how you switched over your programs that would be helpful. Thanks!
Philip Johnson |
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Max Simbron, Photographer, Assistant
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Phoenix | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:18 PM on 09.02.09 |
->> Philip,
You have several options. First, you can use Boot Camp to load XP into a partition, and run Windows as normal. However you have to boot into it, and reboot back into OS X and so on.
Beyond that, there's software that allows Mac users to install and run XP within OS X. Parallels and Fusion are two examples, and work very well. Virtualbox is similar, made by Sun, and free. I've used Parallels and VBox.
Finally, yes, certain companies will allow transfers for a fee (Adobe specifically). However, while most Adobe apps allow one license to cover a desktop and laptop for a single user, I don't believe they let you use an XP and an OS X combo.
Your best bet is to talk to the tech support for your various software, know your options, then assess if one of the above options will give you the flexibility you need.
I will say this: I totally prefer Office on Windows much more than the Mac version. For the other apps, it's mostly support for Windows only apps that I really need (which after a year and a half as a mac user, is down to none) to run something like Virtualbox.
Hope this helps. Any other questions, feel free to contact me.
Max |
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Kevin Clifford, Photographer
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Reno | NV | United States | Posted: 11:24 PM on 09.02.09 |
->> "Would I be able to switch my software over to the Mac laptop and still be able to run it on the desktop until I upgraded to a Mac desktop?"
In short, NO. The Mac and Windows programs are separate and their serials are different. You could contact Adobe to see how they can help you out there, but they would probably want you to buy the Mac version.
You could however install windows onto your Mac using bootcamp and then install your windows programs that way.If you like windows, you could have the windows partition be your main OS.
More info here: http://www.apple.com/macosx/compatibility/
Why are you planing on switching? |
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Eric Francis, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | United States | Posted: 11:43 PM on 09.02.09 |
| ->> If you are spending most of your work time on the desktop, my suggestion would be to switch that one first. I bet you can get a loaded 24" iMac for about the same price as the MacBook Pro. |
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Philip Johnson, Photographer
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Garland | TX | USA | Posted: 1:01 AM on 09.03.09 |
->> Thanks for the quick responses. It give me something to think about. I'll have to go into one of the Apple stores and talk with them about this also.
Eric, I had thought about doing that, it's just that my laptop is four or five years old and needs updating. But your right I may go with the iMac and limp along with the laptop for another year or two. |
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Francis Specker, Photographer
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Riverside | CA | USA | Posted: 1:26 AM on 09.03.09 |
->> My version of Lightroom has both the Windows and Mac software included and I have installed both on those platforms. So with Lightroom, you should be able to re-install on the Mac using the same disc. The same thing with Photo Mechanic.
I had a Windows version of Photoshop 5.5 and used an upgrade disc for CS2 and called Adobe for a way to get a version for the Mac, but my original version was too old and they wouldn't give me a Mac version. If you recently bought a full version of Photoshop, they might give you a Mac version for just an upgrade price.
I ended up buying a full version of Photoshop CS 3 for the Mac and also the upgrade to CS4 which I would recommend if you are buying a new Mac with Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6).
The experience taught me that Adobe looks at how recent you bought a full version and prices upgrades and system transfers based on that. Eventually you will have to buy a full version of Photoshop because even their upgrades don't support really old legacy software. |
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William Guerro, Photographer
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Galloway | NJ | USA | Posted: 8:09 AM on 09.03.09 |
->> Make the switch and don't look back. I switched my desktop out to an IMac 2 years ago and my laptop to a 15" Mac Book Pro last fall. I will NEVER buy another PC. I haven't had 1 virus issue and not 1 BLUE SCREEN of death.
I use the XP boot up partition for only a few programs that don't have a MAC software option. It works fine. |
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Kent Miller, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 10:44 AM on 09.03.09 |
->> Go for the MBP and get it loaded.
Then just plug a display into it and you have a desktop!
My friend just maxxxed out a MBP 17 and it is faster than my MP with 10gigs of ram. He is running a 24 display off the MBP and loves it!
Just another idea for you. |
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Philip Johnson, Photographer
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Garland | TX | USA | Posted: 11:33 AM on 09.03.09 |
->> Thanks Kent, that will give me something more to talk to the Apple folks about. My only concern about this option is if the MBP goes down I am SOL until it got fixed or replaced. But it's definiately an option I will be considering.
Francis, thanks for the infor on Adobe. My original photoshop version was also around 5.0 and I have just been upgrading to CS3. I started with LR with version 1.0. |
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