21 Replies Latest reply: Apr 30, 2009 7:52 PM by Wade_Zimmerman RSS

    Switching from PC to Mac- question

    jasper2424 Community Member

      I'm wanting to switch to mac from pc- I have the web design package for windows installed on my windows laptop.

       

      Will my second installation be able to go on the mac and ran in windows- (or will I need to purchase the mac version of photoshop ect...)

       

      I would convert the whole package over to mac if there was a program that adobe offered for this- but I'm not willing  to spend another $1500 just to switch platforms. Any ideas? or how does PS run on the mac thru bootcamp/parrales ?

       

      I ask this in the photoshop fourm since this is the software I use the most from the design package.

       

       

      Thanks in advance

       

      J

        • 1. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
          Community Member

          If you want to run both Mac an Windows you need 2 licenses. If you are just switching to Mac you can get a crossgrade for the cost of shipping the disks. It also involves a letter of destruction of the windows software. just call customer service.

          • 2. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
            Community Member

            jasper2424 wrote:

             

            or how does PS run on the mac thru bootcamp/parrales ?

             

            Boot Camp limits you to using one OS at a time. Parallels is more ideal.

             

            I'd keep the Windows license instead of getting a crossgrade. A web designer should have access to Windows (to check your work in MSIE) so a true 'switch' is not ideal. There is nothing wrong with adding a Mac though.

             

            The problem that some might have with running a virtual machine is that they have to share system resources (processor, RAM) between two operating systems at once. So a Parallels or other VM user will want extra RAM in their computer. As a web designer that does not work with huge images in Photoshop, you should not be too concerned with limited resources being shared between the two systems.

            • 3. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
              jasper2424 Community Member

              Thanks so much for the info

              • 4. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                LilRyno Community Member

                Yeah definitely don't plan on a crossgrade.  I just purchased a Mac and figured it would be easy to get my old licenses destroyed and get the Mac version.  Same software right?  Not so fast...  I have five products including Captivate 3, CS4 Pro, PS and Premiere Elements but I was told I could NOT switch to a Mac version for any software that has since been updated.

                 

                The CS4 Pro is the best part.  There isn't a new one yet so they said I could switch that one to the Mac version if I only pay for shipping (why I can't just download it is another question but they wouldn't let me do that).  But there is a hitch....  My CS4 Pro is an UPGRADE from and older version of MX Pro (because I'm a loyal customer that has spent thousands on Adobe products).  But they can't let me switch to the Mac version because I don't know the serial number of the OLD version from years ago that I tossed as soon as I paid for the upgrade to the new version.

                 

                Adobe does not support people switching from PC to Mac.  On top of that, customer service blows as I just discovered (appearing to enjoy my frustration).

                 

                I can't believe it but after thousands of dollars on their products I just quit Adobe.  I'll never use their products again.

                • 5. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                  Community Member

                  What the heck is CS4 Pro?

                  • 6. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                    Community Member

                    If you are trying to get away from Windows and you don't want or need to have a windows version then a crossgrade is perfect.

                    • 7. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                      LilRyno Community Member

                      Flash CS4 Pro: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/logged_in/dwinnie_flcs4.html

                       

                      Used to make animations, websites, etc.

                      • 8. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                        LilRyno Community Member

                        They will not let you crossgrade if there is a newer version of the software (ie they make you upgrade) AND if there isn't a newer version and you the version you want to crossgrade is an upgraded version then you must have the serial number for the original version.  So if you failed to keep records of the original version's serial number thinking you would never need it since you just purchased a newer version with a new serial number....like me....then they won't let you crossgrade.  And soon once there is a new version of CS4 it will be moot anyway.

                         

                        Crossgrades on Adobe are a myth.

                        • 9. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                          Reynolds (Mark) Community Member

                          Jasper - if you are planning to swap to mac, great decision, go for it. You should be able to have your license transferred, certainly if you have already got CS4, I don't see how this can be a problem - many of the advantages with the mac platform are associated with running software through OSX. So if you can possibly avoid booting your mac into Windows, or virtual machine method then you will be happier.

                          • 10. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                            Ramón G Castañeda Community Member

                            LilRyno wrote:

                             

                            …AND if there isn't a newer version and you the version you want to crossgrade is an upgraded version then you must have the serial number for the original version.  So if you failed to keep records of the original version's serial number

                             

                            If you registered all your copies of the application along the way, Adobe has a record of it.  With any luck, you might be able to log in to your Adobe account and look up all your product registration online yourself, or you can call Customer Service and have them look them up for you.

                             

                            If you never registered the prodyct and don't have the original numbers, then you are out of luck.

                            • 11. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                              LilRyno Community Member

                              Right, my post was made up.  I put in a support ticket and made two different calls to customer service.

                               

                              Migrating CS4 from PC to Mac IS a problem.

                               

                              I registered all my products and I gave them my account info and my serial number of CS4.  Customer service had no desire whatsoever to help me.  I'm telling you...do a search on "adobe customer service" and see what you find.

                               

                              Switching your PC software to Mac software is NOT something Adobe wants to help you do.

                              • 12. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                kymsr Community Member

                                My experience with crossgrading PC to Mac was easy, and customer service was fine.

                                • 13. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                  LilRyno Community Member

                                  That's fabulous.  Why don't you share some details on what you upgraded so we can compare notes?  When did you crossgrade and what products?

                                  • 14. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                    Lundberg02 Community Member

                                    Parallels is not only a memory hog, it leaks.

                                    • 15. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                      Community Member

                                      LilRyno wrote:

                                       

                                      Right, my post was made up.  I put in a support ticket and made two different calls to customer service.

                                       

                                      Migrating CS4 from PC to Mac IS a problem.

                                       

                                      I registered all my products and I gave them my account info and my serial number of CS4.  Customer service had no desire whatsoever to help me.  I'm telling you...do a search on "adobe customer service" and see what you find.

                                       

                                      Switching your PC software to Mac software is NOT something Adobe wants to help you do.

                                      Well from the tone of your posts here you seem to have a chip on your shoulder, I don't doubt you had problems.

                                       

                                      Also if the application/suite you are crossgrading from has been discontinued, in todays case any CS product before CS4, then yes it would be expected that you upgrade to the newest version. That is down right logical.

                                       

                                      As for CS4 Pro there is no such thing. CS4 stands for Creative Suite 4 and as far as I know Adobe has not named any specific application Pro although the application name might have Pro in it, for example Adobe premier Pro.

                                       

                                      you really need to get your facts right before spouting off, it makes you look not smart.

                                      • 16. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                        LilRyno Community Member

                                        I couldn't agree with you more.  Not knowing what you're talking about and posting stupidity does make you look "not smart."

                                         

                                        "Adobe Flash CS4 Professional" found here: http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/

                                         

                                        See that box in the top right that says "search adobe.com"?  I suggest you use that before you start telling other people how to avoid looking stupid...

                                         

                                        After talking with customer support for the fourth time today they discovered I did have a serial number for the older version (they had it on file as I would expect they should) and they crossgraded me.  It took more work than it should have but it worked out in the end and wasn't malicious as I thought but rather just some inexperience.  The manager took care of it quickly.

                                        • 17. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                          kymsr Community Member

                                          My crossgrade was straightforward; at the time I had a PC with CS2 installed; when the laptop motherboard died twice in a short time, I switched to a Powerbook G4 ( the final version of it ) As was mentioned earlier, had to send a letter of destruction.

                                           

                                          Now with CS4 and a Macbook Pro. Love them. // I'm not a web designer, so can't comment on that for the OP.

                                           

                                          Glad you had your issue successfully solved.

                                          • 18. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                            Ramón G Castañeda Community Member

                                            When someone is posting here in the Photoshop forum, no one would expect that he means Flash when he writes CS4 Pro"Adobe Flash CS4 Professional" is a far cry from "CS4 Pro".

                                             

                                            That's almost up there with "my Adobe is broken".

                                            • 19. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                              LilRyno Community Member

                                              Right again.  Must be a crop of ten pound brains in this forum.

                                               

                                              CS4 Pro as you've said is a far cry from Flash CS4 Professional.  That's why if you use that little box in the top right like I was saying....and type in "CS4 Pro" and click the little button....guess what pops up?  Right.  Oh, and as to Adobe being broken....I guess that would mean it is, right?  Obviously the search function returns stuff that is a far cry from right.

                                               

                                              I'm done with you code breakers.  Too smart for me.

                                              • 20. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                                Ramón G Castañeda Community Member

                                                Read what I told you in post #10, then read your reply to me.

                                                 

                                                It turns out #10 is exactly how you solved your problem.

                                                 

                                                If you registered all your copies of the application along the way, Adobe has a record of it.  With any luck, you might be able to log in to your Adobe account and look up all your product registration online yourself, or you can call Customer Service and have them look them up for you.

                                                 

                                                You're nowhere as cool as you think you are.

                                                 

                                                You owe several apologies to different folks here already.

                                                • 21. Re: Switching from PC to Mac- question
                                                  Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

                                                  LilRyno

                                                   

                                                  I have read your post and you complain about not having the serial number of an older software from Macromedia and I assume you did not register that software and that you have not registered your new version either or all the information would be part of your Adobe user account…quite frankly so far nothing that you write indicates you are wiling to accept any responsibility for screwing up. Which you clearly have done.

                                                   

                                                  I have transfered licenses of mine to other user, that were Adobe products and then have had them cross upgrade without a hitch, I have also cross graded a product myself without a problem.

                                                   

                                                  I think you should have registered and updated your registration info and kept records of your serial numbers and you did not so you have only yourself to blame. I say to bad for you but you should have taken the few minutes it takes to register and to write down the serial numbers.

                                                   

                                                  Next time maybe you'll actually act the smart way instead of being smarter then you are.

                                                   

                                                  Let's see how much you learn from this experience. Probably nothing you still probably have nothing registered or have the serial numbers written down.

                                                   

                                                  I think everyone here who goes through the trouble to register and copy their product info down somewhere safe and keeps the records can be satisfied to know that it pays to do so, we can all feel good about our efforts and for LilRyno we can offer a big