<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Indeed, the current Mac Pros appear to be directly compatible with the new processors. In September, AnandTech replaced two Dual-Core Xeon (Woodcrest) processors from a Mac Pro with samples of two Quad-Core Xeon (Clovertown) processors and "they worked just fine".<p><hr></blockquote><p>So I could just buy two of the new quad processors and stick them in my MP Tower? That is a nice upgrade path.<br><br><br><br><br>

Sure sounds like it. The switch to Intel may end up being even more of a positive thing than previously thought. <br><br>At the very least its keeping a fire under Apple to keep up. Its not that they wanted to lag before, but now they can't even wave their hands about apples to oranges comparisons of speed. Its a level playing field and if Dell has Clovertown processors then Apple had better too, or it makes them look second fiddle.<br><br>

[color:blue]Indeed, the current Mac Pros appear to be directly compatible with the new processors. In September, AnandTech replaced two Dual-Core Xeon (Woodcrest) processors from a Mac Pro with samples of two Quad-Core Xeon (Clovertown) processors and "they worked just fine".</font color=blue><br><br>Makes sense as I mentioned before - Back in the "Clone" days DayStar Digital sold Mac Clones up to 18 processors , cost both arms and a leg to buy them but it was possible way back then . Apple bought DayStars patent way back then , just not sure if their patent applies to the Intels Chips ?<br><br>Anyway'<br>The current line up Apple does need to "distance" the pro line from the consumer line and this would be the way to do it.<br><br>

[color:blue]if Dell has Clovertown processors then Apple had better too, or it makes them look second fiddle.</font color=blue> - Yeap and you know Dell is going that way too for its top of the line junk. Apple has also needs to beat them on price too , just like it did this time . If Apple does so then Dell would look like the 2nd fiddle "again" <-- not good for Dell<br><br>

I read an article that covered a response from one of the guys at Adobe. He figured that Soundbooth was only Intel because it was a NEW product ..and that if Apple hadn't moved to Intel chips it probably would have been a Windoze only product. The fact that they DID go to x86 made it easy enough for Adobe to compile a Mac version. <br><br>CS3 is definitely a universal binary ...I give CS4 a 50-50 chance of being universal. A lot of work is being put into CS3 for the PPC ...most of that would be reused for CS4, so it's likely they would be able to do CS4 as a universal binary without too much extra effort. <br><br>

... when I replace the last of mine! <br><br>- alec -

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>CS3 is definitely a universal binary ...I give CS4 a 50-50 chance of being universal. A lot of work is being put into CS3 for the PPC ...most of that would be reused for CS4, so it's likely they would be able to do CS4 as a universal binary without too much extra effort.<p><hr></blockquote><p>I would give CS4 for PPC a 1% chance. Macintosh computers that access my web sites are already 28% MacIntel. Those 72% PPC Macs can purchase CS3 when it comes out. Now who in that group:<br><br>a) Will want to shell out cash for CS4<br>and<br>b) Will still be runnning a PPC for their Photoshop needs.<br><br>The Venn diagram of the group who is rich enough to pay for the new program and the group that is too poor to buy a new MacIntel do not overlap.<br><br>A PPC with CS3 will fill their needs until they step up to the new iron.<br><br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>The fact that they DID go to x86 made it easy enough for Adobe to compile a Mac version.<br><p><hr></blockquote><p> This is very good news. I've heard a million times that it is easy to recompile an Windows program to run on MacIntel but a real life example is better than marketing verbiage.<br><br><br><br><br>

One reason I think it will be available for PPC is that big printers tend to use their hardware till it's dead. They HAVE to upgrade to the latest CS because they have to be compatible with files that are coming in to print. If CS4 wasn't UB then the print shops would have to upgrade hardware AND software to keep up. I would think Adobe would realize that keeping it as a UB would only help InDesign gain marketshare. <br><br>The same goes for photoshop and illustrator too, but not to the same degree.<br><br>

I tend to agree with you. I think CS4 will be Universal. CS5 however.... not much chance.<br><br>Generally, what's Adobe's upgrade cycle? 2 years?<br><br>

I thought it was yearly ...can't remember though ..maybe like 18 months<br><br>