Switching to Mac question

[patterfr]

I am considering switching over to Mac (just for the fun of it and to avoid Vista) My question is for software like PS CS3, lightroom, etc, etc, can these be re-downloaded for Mac if you've already downloaded a WIndows version or do you have to pay for a seperate Mac license/rebuy?

[cyclohexane]

I've heard that Adobe Customer Service will swap your discs, but I wouldn't know how to go about doing that. I think it's a simple form somewhere, or you could call them.

If you installed off the internet I'm pretty sure you can migrate platforms; just be sure to deactivate all Adobe products on your Windows machines. Of course, you should check with Adobe first on how exactly you should go about this.

They won't make you rebuy the software licenses.

[patterfr]

Thanks. The $$$ part is what I was worried about.

[digitalzed]

My experience was completely different. Adobe would not swap my license. They offer a discount program (I don't remember the cost, sorry) if you want to switch. Adobe, like many other companies, used to box their software as cross platform. But those days are long gone. If anyone out there was able to switch for free, I'd LOVE to hear about it.

[tomrock]

First of all, Lightroom is cross platform -- that's one of the new things about LR so you're all set there. Just download the version you need and use the serial number you already have.

Second, Adobe WILL transfer your license from one platform to the other but only for the latest version. In other words, you have to have CS3 Photoshop to switch. If you have CS2 (or any earlier version) you first have to buy the upgrade to CS3 and then they'll switch that.

You have to call customer service and tell them you want to switch platforms. They'll have you fill out a form agreeing to destroy your existing software and send you the other platform for the cost of shipping (usually around $6).

I've done it with Photoshop and my wife has done it with the Creative Suite.

[digitalzed]

Originally Posted by tomrock

First of all, Lightroom is cross platform -- that's one of the new things about LR so you're all set there. Just download the version you need and use the serial number you already have.

Second, Adobe WILL transfer your license from one platform to the other but only for the latest version. In other words, you have to have CS3 Photoshop to switch. If you have CS2 (or any earlier version) you first have to buy the upgrade to CS3 and then they'll switch that.

You have to call customer service and tell them you want to switch platforms. They'll have you fill out a form agreeing to destroy your existing software and send you the other platform for the cost of shipping (usually around $6).

I've done it with Photoshop and my wife has done it with the Creative Suite.

Thanks Tom. Now that's an informative post. I'll try Adobe again on this information.

[ah-photography]

Originally Posted by digitalzed

Thanks Tom. Now that's an informative post. I'll try Adobe again on this information.

Digitalzed, I'd be real keen to hear how you get on as I'm looking to jump the same way - Keep us informed would you??

[patterfr]

Thanks all for the info. . I am about to start the switch. Luckily I do have CS3. I also have Portraiture and some OneonOne Software and Noise Ninja, so The journey begins. I will also let you know how it goes. It doesn't seem right that you would have to pay twice for the different platforms. People at Mac ought to negotiate that one as part of a switch enticement. But I guess we'll do it anyway, so they don't care.

[richdavid]

My first post here: 8-)

Just as Tomrock clearly stated, I have just successfully completed the cross platform PC to MAC upgrade from PS2 to PS3. It cost me $199.00 + shipping. FWIW, go directly through Adobe sales for more efficient handeling. You can email or FAX your letter of CD destruction which speeds things up a bit and you might want to follow-up with a phone call after a few days. If you're really in a hurry I understand a 30 day free trial is available for download which you then can apply your new serial number to when that time expires.

All the best,

Rich

[digitalzed]

Originally Posted by ah-photography

Digitalzed, I'd be real keen to hear how you get on as I'm looking to jump the same way - Keep us informed would you??

Well, I must not have been clear to the sales person at Adobe in my first attempt to get this answer some months back. They will switch you over as others here have described. Perhaps when I first investigated this several months ago I was unclear to the sales person at Adobe that I was looking to switch platforms, not add another platform. In speaking with Adobe yesterday I'm clear on the procedure now, but not happy with it. I feel 200.00 is too much to ask, especially if you're destroying a version you have invested 500 + in (not to mention any upgrades you bought). But then again, maybe I'm just grumpy. Anyone else feel like I do?

[jfrancho]

They'll have you fill out a form agreeing to destroy your existing software and send you the other platform for the cost of shipping (usually around $6).

I feel 200.00 is too much to ask, especially if you're destroying a version you have invested 500 + in (not to mention any upgrades you bought).

There appears to be a $194 discrepancy here.

[richdavid]

jfrancho;

The difference is in the details....as the saying goes. 8-)

$199.00 plus shipping is for the upgrade from PS2 to PS3. In my case this is a cross platform situation as I'm switching from a PC to an iMAC. It is not possible to switch a PC-PS2 for a MAC-PS2. You have to get the latest version which is PS3 in my case. If I'd already had the PC version of PS3 it would have been just $6.00 to make the swith.

[patterfr]

Well, they were unable to find the registration of my original photoshop(?7.0) so that although I have CS3, since registration of of my original version , not the upgrade or current version is necessary, they informed me that I would have to buy a new version of CS3 for mac(not an upgrade). So I'm screwed. I argued that in order to upgrade you have to have a previous version, and prove it in order to get the upgrade , the fact that I have a registered CS3 version should be proof enough. No dice. Now the only problem is that with this new 24 inch iMac monitor everything looks so damn good, I'll have to figure something out. What a pain in the rump!!

[richdavid]

I'm new to this switching PC to MAC platforms but it seems to me that you could use your PS3 program when you were using the Windows OS on the Mac. Yes? I'm not using Windows on the iMac yet and maybe never will.

[patterfr]

I'm new to this as well and I'm stupid in the ways of Mac. I wasn't ever using Windows OS on the mac (parallels?) and had no plans to either, I was hoping to make a clean break/switch to Mac and its OS.