Apple vs. Adobe war soon?

[DougK]

Check this out...

http://www.apple.com/aperture/

If it lives up to the hype on the website, things in the digtal darkroom just got very interesting.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

hmm...i may just have to add a mac to my wishlist.

 

[DougK]

Too bad my current Mac isn't even close to the system requirements...

 

[JoeFriday]

same here.. my 1ghz Powerbook just wouldn't cut it.. looks nice, altho most of what it does can be done manually in PS

 

[kiev4a]

Too bad my current Mac isn't even close to the system requirements...

That's exactly the problem with Apple. Anything they come out with something that might be really ground-breaking, only the latest computer model with the latest OS will handle it.

That's why we've switched to strictly PC versions of Quark and PS in our office. They may not be as spiffy as the Apple versions but the platforms they run on are cheaper and don't become obsolete as quickly.

If it wasn't for the Ipod Apple would probably be out of the computer business.

 

[bobofish]

I have to eat my heart out every time Apple comes out with something fantastic like this. I love Apple's interface, I love their programs (Final Cut is in my opinion the absolute best video editing program, that is affordable) but Apple screwed me bigtime 3-4 years ago.
I bought a top of the line Powerbook for video editing, and it was a LEMON. Apple not only didn't want to fix the thing, but after months of finagling, when they finally accepted the computer, they made up the excuse that there was a liquid spill on my computer (NO WAY!) and therefore they weren't responsible.

When I kept barraging them with phone calls, they said they would work on it anyway, but that the warrantee had just expired. (Sure, because they had my computer for 7 weeks until the warrantee expired!)

Then, to top it off, when I told them to finally just send me my $4000 paperweight back, so I could at least weigh things down on my desk, when I opened the package, someone had cut my powercord with wire-cutters.

So SCREW APPLE!

 

[parks5920]

I've used both iphoto and imovie for Macs and Adobe photoshop elements ver. 3.0 or 4.0 and premier elements 2.0 beats them in every aspect, and I really liked iphoto and imovie! For $75.00 you can't go wrong!

 

[DougK]

For the record, PS Elements 2 works fine for me, although I'm considering upgrading to 3.0 soon. Nice to see some change in the high-end space though, and maybe some of the improvements will trickle down to iPhoto.

 

[ch1]

That's exactly the problem with Apple. Anything they come out with something that might be really ground-breaking, only the latest computer model with the latest OS will handle it.

That's why we've switched to strictly PC versions of Quark and PS in our office. They may not be as spiffy as the Apple versions but the platforms they run on are cheaper and don't become obsolete as quickly.

If it wasn't for the Ipod Apple would probably be out of the computer business.

Ditto on that.

Apple remains a great innovator - but they "march to their own tune" and expect everyone to "fall in line".

This attitude works for the IPod because it was (and remains) "ahead of the curve" (e.g. new vidio version) and has a sexy design (including the distinctive white headphones). Here in NYC it is a "fashion statement" for young singles (espescially women) and those who wish they still were.

My first computer was an Apple //e. It was also my last Apple computer.

This particular piece of software will make diehard Appleistas happy - but will not seriously "dent" the Adoble marketshare because it has no PC-system platform.

Regards,
George

 

[wlewisiii]

Except that MS will fall all over themselves to release an even buggier copy of it that will take over the Adobe marketshare... 😉

William
(posting this in Safari 😀 )

 

[blakley]

I'll be contrarian here, I guess. I switched from Windows to Mac two years ago and have never looked back. On the Mac, things "just work", and they work the way I think. I was just talking to a friend tonight, and he mentioned how hard PS is to use. I said I think it's not really hard to use, but it's very hard to LEARN. I bet Aperture is EASY to learn, and easy to use. I will consider getting it even though I know for a certain fact that I will not stop using PS, just because I bet Aperture will do most of what I want to do much easier & faster.

 

[jan normandale]

My first computer was a Mac it was the same price as a PC from Dell. I have used Mac’s for the past 10 years. I use a PC at work. In my opinion they are about the same. I don’t have too many problems with either system.

Once there was a bigger difference. There is less now. I use Microsoft Office on my Mac and no problems. So when I use Photoshop on a PC or a Mac. Not a big difference.

I like Mac OS because there are fewer users. So I avoid computer viruses. That is my prime reason to use a Mac today. Aperture will probably come out for PC’s in about 1 year or less because Apple is about business and making shareholders happy. Aperture for a PC? My bet is you will get it.

 

[wlewisiii]

Got it in one, Jan. Steve learned that lesson the hard way - failing with NeXT and succeeding with Pixar. There will be a version for PC's. The only real question is, "Will MS be fast enough with getting thier clone out? " because that is always the 1000 lb. gorilla in the personal computer market.

Yes, I believe that they will come out with, or buy, a clone within 6 months. It will take till V3.0, as always, to be usefull, but that won't stop them...

William

 

[ch1]

My first computer was a Mac it was the same price as a PC from Dell. I have used Mac’s for the past 10 years. I use a PC at work. In my opinion they are about the same. I don’t have too many problems with either system.

Once there was a bigger difference. There is less now. I use Microsoft Office on my Mac and no problems. So when I use Photoshop on a PC or a Mac. Not a big difference.

I like Mac OS because there are fewer users. So I avoid computer viruses. That is my prime reason to use a Mac today. Aperture will probably come out for PC’s in about 1 year or less because Apple is about business and making shareholders happy. Aperture for a PC? My bet is you will get it.

You're probably correct that Apple will ultimately get out a PC version of it Aperture. Who really will use it though?

Besides the "battle" isn't going to be b/w Apple and MS again. It will be Apple vs. Adobe.

On this, I'll put my $ on Adobe. Not just because of PS/CS2 but because Adobe has an entire document/image management system.

I work in finance dealing with deal documentation. Adoble Acrobat is now beating the heck out of MS Word as a vehicle for developing and distributing financial documents. Most transaction documents are now distributed in Adobe because the author can "lock down" and thus "control" the doc. Even when early drafts are developed in Word - by the time one gets to the final draft stage they are almost always in Acrobat. And you only see execution versions of docs in Adobe.

It's true that Apple has always had a niche with the "creative" community and Aperture will likely be welcomed by the Appleistas. I just don't think it will "threaten" Adobe's market share which is rooted in a much broader marketplace!

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I wll not buy a mac. Not until they learn to publish an OS that is not dependent upon their propietary hardware schemes.

I know there are rumours of "any day now," but that has been going on for nearly 3 yrs. Possibly more. The software price will no doubt be competitive. However, I can't afford a 3.500 dollar software key (the Mac itself).

This comes from someone who started out his professional use of computers on the Mac. Loved every minute of it until OS X. I use one at work, A very new one. One that has a host of OS and hardware quirks.

Frankly, I enjox linux more than OS X.

Photoshop, long may she wave. Now if Adobe could see it's way to Linux.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

OK, here comes a rant (and hold on your desire to flame me until you read me through): I think Apple has lost its way recently. I was the most diehard Mac user in my circle of friends, close and acquainted. I haven't used my Mac(s) in a while, and I really can't stand Windoze machines, but I just don't understand how Apple, a company that tried so hard to innovate with hardware, and create its own software, is now evidently wanting to compete against well-established leaders like Adobe and Phase One (although C1's latest releases have been cr*p).

At $500 vs. most others who can upgrade for $180 to Photoshop CS2? This tells me that Apple, after all these years, hasn't fired their marketing intern who is apparently still their marketing VP.

They lost their Newton goldmine to Palm. Their Quicktime goldmine to Bill Gates. Why? They wanted to concentrate on what they did best: their Macintoshes. Now they want to branch out again so soon?

I'm sure their software is going to be more robust, more intuitive and make more sense than the bloated Adobe or Microsnot counterparts, but they're already branching out again into iPods, nano iPods, designer Macs, and now software which will need to be re-compiled and re-optimized once their computers use Intel chips? For that reason alone I would hold off buying this software, it's already in need of an upgrade.

If this is part of some strategic move to move their platform over to Intel chips and take over the Microsnot umpire (yes, I'm aware of the "mis"spelling), then I am completely "misunderestimating" Steve Jobs. I hope that's true.

 

[photogdave]

I've been using both systems for about 10 years. Sometimes I had PC at home and Mac at work and vice versa. Now I'm on Mac for both.
In the last few years PC machines have made great strides in reliability and I can't fault them, but once connected to the internet, those viruses can be crippling.
I've been running a G3 iMac for four years without a single problem. I've been continually updating to the latest OS (Still on Panther right now) and it runs PS and Indesign plenty fast. In that same time period almost every PC user I know has had to replace their entire computer at leasts twice. In my experience you don't need the latest machine or OS to run the latest software, but of course Apple encourages it to increase sales.
I think the reliability and longevity of the Mac make them a real bargain.
Oh yeah, I have an iPod and it's a piece of crap!

 

[kiev4a]

You're probably correct that Apple will ultimately get out a PC version of it Aperture. Who really will use it though?

Besides the "battle" isn't going to be b/w Apple and MS again. It will be Apple vs. Adobe.

On this, I'll put my $ on Adobe. Not just because of PS/CS2 but because Adobe has an entire document/image management system.

I work in finance dealing with deal documentation. Adoble Acrobat is now beating the heck out of MS Word as a vehicle for developing and distributing financial documents. Most transaction documents are now distributed in Adobe because the author can "lock down" and thus "control" the doc. Even when early drafts are developed in Word - by the time one gets to the final draft stage they are almost always in Acrobat. And you only see execution versions of docs in Adobe.

It's true that Apple has always had a niche with the "creative" community and Aperture will likely be welcomed by the Appleistas. I just don't think it will "threaten" Adobe's market share which is rooted in a much broader marketplace!

You make a very good point.

In the beginning, Adobe and Apple were nearly one in the same in most users' minds. Photoshop made its reputation on the Mac Platform back in the days when PCs were still running DOS and were "graphically challenged." But when Windows matured and PC graphics capabilities increased, Adobe was smarter than some other companies who continued to program only for Apple OS. Adobe saw where the numbers were and developed PC versions of Acrobat, Photoshop and Illustrator that not only had the same featuresa as the Apple version, but would also read files created on the Mac. They also created less expensive versions of PS (Elements) for the PC home user who didn't need the full features and couldn't justify spending $500 bucks for the commercial version.Although slower to respond companies like Quark did the same thing.

If there is a new graphic editor that tries to match the features of Apple's latest wiz bang, it will be Adobe, not Microsoft, who offers it for the PC.

Apple's attitude always has been "We will set the standards and you have no choice but to follow them." Those days are over. The fact that Apple's next OS is designed to run on Intel rather than Motorola processors should be a clear signal of what is happening.

 

[Doug]

Thanks Doug K for the link! I am rather surprised at Aperture, but it appears designed to cooperate with Photoshop. And it does some very useful things. Fortunately, my 3-yr-old Mac is adequate to run it, so I'll have some thinking to do. 🙂

I figure Apple vs the PC makers is a religious matter, so will steer clear of that trap.

 

[Paul T.]

I don't believe Aperture is meant to compete with PS. It complements it. And I suspect one of the main reasons Apple have produced it is to help sell more Macs.

For all their faults I'm still a Mac devotee, as is everyone I know in design and publishing. There are still a few Finance Directors who try to turn companies PC, but so far they've always been stopped by mass revolts.