Problems with Intel-powered Macs?

[bakerlonglegs]

Hello - any Mac-heads out there?
I was thinking of buying an Intel-powered laptop Mac (Macbook Pro) but I've heard (from a Mac retailer!) that there are problems with the new machine, particularly in running professional applications, Adobe in particular. The rumour is that the new machines won't run existing Adobe software any quicker, and maybe even slower, than the existing PowerPC G4 machines. Also, that existing high-end video software, like Final Cut Pro, won't run on it. The upshot is that you will have to purchase upgraded software to actually get it to perform as promised, which doesn't exist yet and could be a year or more away!
For me, that would be a BIG hit as I have bought into Adobe CS bigtime (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive). To have to replace the lot just to get the laptop to run faster than my current machine would be a major pain

Anyone out there know anything about this?

 

[Sugarcube]

It's true. It will take a while for some companies to create a 'Universal' version of the software. All Mac products with the exception of Final Cut Pro are already there. Adobe should be ready within months it is hoped. Virtual PC does not work at all, Word and Excel etc are all slightly slower at the moment.

If you only use Photoshop occasionally, the old version will be OK but if you are a heavy user, you may be better waiting. The old 1.67 Powerbook is 1.7 times faster than the new MacBook Pro with Photoshop.

It's just a pain in the ass at the moment because of the switch to Intel. The next 6 months will be frustrating but hopefully it will be all worth it in the end.

 

[nadeem]

correct CS /CS2 won't run any faster at the moment, an upgrade will be out at some stage (rumours abound that Adobe may wait till CS3 )from Adobe but most designers, etc are sticking to the latest G5's as they're faster.

Apple are supposed to be sorting out all their own apps and offering a cheap upgrade if you return your original discs and swap for the intel optimised versions...not sure when this will happen either...

 

[bakerlonglegs]

Thanks very much for the info, you saved me an expensive mistake!
Confirms what I'd heard. As my original tip-off came from a retailer I thought it might be a ruse to flog off some old G4 PowerBooks, but it seems they were telling the truth.
I think I'm going to upgrade to the 'old' G4 PowerBook for now, in 15" 1.67 form.



Andy

 

[HTB]

I lllluuuuurrrrvvvvve my G4 powerbook, but it ain't been a skip through the fields. There have been a nuumber of issues with the 15" powerbook and batteries, now resolved, I hope since December '05. It took me 4 machines to get a wroking example - but then Apple gave me a good £150 of extras for my trouble. My latest trouble free machine is about six weeks old and running Tiger 10.4.5

You'll be fine, I'm sure, and I wouldn't want to part with my powerbook, but be aware that you really need to be in a position where you can upgrade/download software as soon as you get the new machine, IMHO to be absolutely up to date with any firmware/software issues!