I just bought a tablet notebook a couple of months ago. It's running Vista, and I've had enough. I want to sell it and I'm seriously considering switching to a Mac.

Questions:

1. Can I still use my external Dell monitor for post work?
2. Will my FP template work or do I have to go through a boat load of trouble to update it?
3. I've already got CS3 installed on 2 computers. Is Adobe going to give me crap? Will I have to pay for a full Mac version?
4. What software are you using to design albums?
5. Will I have to purchase a new version of Showit Web?
6. Will word documents work on non Mac PC's. (I'm asking because of the ridiculousness of trying to open a new Word document on an old version, and the fact that I can't open Works documents. It's all just stupid and I'm tired of it).

Sorry for all the newbie questions. I've never even SEEN a Mac, much less used one.

Anything else I should know?

1) Yes, you might have to buy an extra cable to go out from the Mac, but it will work.

3) You will most likely have to buy a new Mac version. However, I have heard there is a way to transfer your registration from PC to Mac Photoshop, but it requires destroying the copy of PC CS3. I would contact Adobe or search the web on how to do this.

6) To open Word documents properly on a Mac, you require Microsoft Office for Mac. The 2008 version just recently came out, however, most individuals still use the 2003 version just fine.

First off, congrats on going to the GOOD side!
To answer questions..
1.yes, of course you can use your monitor
2. not sure what FP is?
3. I think you can get mac versions if you promise to destroy your other copies...you can't have both unless you paid for both versions.
4. In Design works well for creating albums..along with a ton of other programs
5. Showit web..looks like you can use it on either mac or pc once you have your registration code.. http://www.showitfast.com/support/index.ph...6&nav=0,1,5
6. You can even get the whole microsoft office suite for mac. Send a file from a pc to a mac, it will show up just fine as long as you have Office on your mac.

It might take some getting used to using your mac if you've never used one before but you'll catch on quick where everything is. It's far more intuitive than a pc.

1. Yes, any monitor will work on a mac. However, dell monitors are notorious for being impossible to calibrate and I encourage you to look into better solutions.
2. Don't know what FP is.
3. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER COPY OF CS3. This is a HUGE misunderstanding, but a few people have answered correctly here. You have to call adobe and ask for a Cross-Platform Upgrade. You sign a letter of software destruction saying that you will destroy your PC copy and they will send you a full mac version either for free or for the cost of shipping - i cant remember what mine was when i did it.
4. I use Adobe InDesign. I encourage you to look into purchasing an upgrade of your copy of PS CS3 to the Design Standard "Suite" which will include InDesign.
5. You don't have to purchase a new version, you can simply transfer it over.
6. Yes, they will. In fact, instead of buying microsoft office for mac, you should look into using this kickass opensource office suite called Neo Office. It's virtually identical to MS office and it's FREEEEEE

Believe me, this transition will be way easier than you think it will be. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.

If you have an Apple store near you I HIGHLY recommend you pay them a visit. Not only can you play around with all the different models available but you can talk to the apple geniuses and they can show you how to work a mac and probably answer a ton of your questions. You won't regret coming over to the dark side!

Thanks everyone.

FP stood for Flash Palette. Sorry about that. Will I be able to update my website without too much difficulty?

I know I could find the answers for all of this online, but sometimes it's just faster to ask here. Once I make a decision I'm gung-ho and want to get moving. I don't want to spend a week looking for the answers to my questions.

I do have an apple store nearby. I think I'm gonna go check it out.

Awesome! You're going to love it!

I'm not sure if they are still doing this but some Apple Cinema displays were made from the same parts as the Dell's. I use a few Dell lcds and never had a problem, they work and look great next to my 30" Apple display. You wont need any additional cables either.. they all work with a standard DVI cable.

Looks like everyone already answered your questions. But I just wanted to say YEAH!!!! for considering the switch to the good side!!!

Well, I'm having second thoughts. Wondering if I should wait.

I called adobe today and they won't help me because I no longer have the serial # for version 7 (the first version I bought). I had it a couple of months ago when I upgraded to CS3, but I can't find it now (and I deleted version 7 from my PC) so they're saying they won't help me.

I can't afford to switch to Mac and get all new editing software. I know LR isn't that expensive, but I don't know if I can process images the way I do now with LR. (I use Pictocolor software, too).

I also don't know how I'd design albums. I currently do it in CS3. I know there's other software for that, too, but again I can't afford to spend a fortune here.

Looks like I may have to wait to switch.

Lisa, they should not give you any problem about your PS7 serial... you should have a new one if you upgraded from that to CS3. Your existing CS3 serial can be switched over.

Trevor, that's what I (stupidly) thought when I upgraded. I had the serial # for version 7 written down, but when I installed CS3 and removed 7 I guess I threw it out. I was under the assumption that I was good to go, since they'd already verified the serial number in order to get the upgrade.

When I called she asked for the CS3 serial, and I gave it to her. Then she asked what version I had before and I told her, and she said she couldn't help me unless I had the serial # for that version as well.

She kept asking questions about why I was wanting to switch from a PC to a Mac. Like I needed to give her a whole dissertation on why I can't stand my brand new notebook with Vista.

Needless to say, I'm pretty PO'd about the whole thing. A Mac's of no use to me without a way to edit, and I'm comfortable with my workflow in PS. I feel like this is going to keep me from switching.

Did you sign a letter of software destruction when you switched from PS7 to CS3? If you did, there's no way in hell they should expect you to have your PS7 serial still - I encourage you to take this higher up than a sales rep and get someone on the line who will understand your situation.

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're having. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know. Keep me updated if you call adobe back and talk to someone more important.

Nope. I hope to God I didn't need to!

I was using 7 on a 2 year old notebook and everything was really slow. I wondered if it was 7, decided I should upgrade anyway, so that's what I did. Unfortunately it was the computer that was the problem, but before I realized that I'd deleted everything that I didn't need off of the notebook in an effort to gain some speed. (Including 7. I mean, why would I keep 2 versions of PS on there?) I really had no idea I'd ever need that old serial number again.