Hey all - as we're now in the last few weeks before expecting both Lightroom and CS3 production to hit the streets - I thought I'd point something out that may not be obvious.

When I considered switching to Mac from PC, I also totaled up all the heaps of new software I'd have to buy ($$$$$$$$$$) added to the price of the new machine.

Now a Mac user of 8 months - I really didn't have to buy anything new.

1. Adobe will allow you to swap your PC license for a Mac license, free of charge. Call up their support. If you own CS2 on PC, you are able to deal directly with Adobe and simply purchase the CS3 upgrade when it's out and request the Mac version instead of the PC version. This is free (other than the cost of upgrade of course) - you may "swap platforms" twice in your lifetime. The same goes with all the other Adobe apps you may already use.

2. Adobe now owns Macromedia, so the same should go for Dreamweaver and Flash.

3. Okay, you'll probably have to buy the new version of Office for Mac, but you'd expect nothing less from MS.

4. Check out Apple's download secion. (http://www.apple.com/downloads/), as well as www.versiontracker.com, and www.macupdate.com. There are TONS and TONS of free or super cheap software for Mac that is very powerful and very well written. As OSX is built on Linux, the open source movement has written all kinds of cool stuff that was easily dropped right into Mac.

5. Also realize that MS includes all the extra garbage in thier OS more as an afterthought - like Outlook Express - those general basic apps that were intented well but butchered by MS to the point of being nearly useless. I expected the same with the Apple apps. WRONG. The apple apps actually WORK!!

You can use Apple Mail, Address Book, Calendar, and a bunch of other apps built right in to do almost anything you need to do. They are smooth, super intuative, beautifully integrated - they just work. And the Apple Safari browser is fine by me also.


So, before shooting yourself in the foot by flopping down $$$$$$$ on upgrades and cost of Vista - re-consider exactly what PC apps you use for what. Contact those makers and find out about cross platform exchanges, and dig around the incredibly high quality offerings of Mac shareware and freeware apps that probably blow the doors off anything you're currently using on the PC.

And I think it goes without saying that anything related to slideshows, blogs, podcasts, etc is about 100 times easier on the Mac - and using only the bundled software to top it all off.

And Open Source Mac website has a bunch of open source software as well.

Don't want to argue, but you've forgotten to consider a few things:

Unless you have multiple PCs and only swap out one for a Mac. Want to keep Photoshop on the other PC (You're allowed one desktop and one laptop per license) and you've got to purchase a full lisence.

Yep. Dreamweaver is part of CS2 now, and will be part of CS3 (CS = the full Adobe Creative Suite of software - Retail $1,200.00 US)


No Major arguments, except that for the average users, the Windows software does work. I've found a few features missing from the Mac software... like a way to put a font selection button on the Mac Mail toolbar.... or having weblinks that I type into a message actually activate as a weblink on my screen (clicking on them is a great way to make sure you don't have a typo).

I haven't had a chance to go through all of the free software you mention, but, as a photographer that heavily used ACDSee Pro in my workflow, I can honestly say that I have found *nothing* on the Mac side that has as much functionality on the Mac side. To do all that ACDSee does, you have to start adding together software pieces. It gets very frustrating when switching platforms to learn a totally new workflow for your major job usage.

Also, I've discovered that Windows drives are easy to view with Macs, but the Mac drive is rather difficult to view on a PC (Yes, its possible... and I've done it, but having to find the ISP address of the computer on the network????)

My entire point is that the Mac is just another tool in our toolbox. I don't hate Microsoft or Nikon, or any other company. I just use the tool that is best for the job. I bought my MBP when my PC laptop died. I switched to Mac because of all the trusted folks that kept saying "Get a Mac" you'll love it!

I discovered that while the Mac can use the network I've got setup, I couldn't print to any of my online printers... there's another $100 for a networked printer. Because I want to keep my PC license for PhotoShop, I did have to buy a Mac Lisence. Same goes for the other software (Office & Dreamweaver) that I wanted to keep. While I could use opensource software, I couldn't make that choice, since I need a trusted piece of software immediately to keep my workflow moving smoothly.

I wished I had the luxury of adding the Mac in my slow season, and explore the software options fully before spending money on programs that could have been gained via opensource.

Yes, switching to a Mac can be painless, unless you have substantial investment in PCs and only switch out one at a time.

Glad you're liking your new mac. As a former Windows user, I really like having FruitMenu. It turns your apple menu into a "start menu." Also check out Overflow for another good app launcher.

Beth, that site is awesome! Thank you.

Kevin, you make a good point. I think part of the problem is that people rely on too many programs to make their workflow happen. They use this app here, and that add-on there, and make things too complicated, especially when it comes to switching.

Keep it simple guys - you're life will thank you for it!

My head is spinning reading this and other threads....I'm fed up with my PC...windows just updated itself without my permission and now I have so many things wrong with my computer I can hardly use it. So I'm contemplating a switch....hopefully I can handle it!