My MacBook Pro Sucks
September 10th, 2006 Filed in: Reviews, Mac Jump to commentsI recently bought a new MacBook Pro (my first Apple computer). Yes, I am one of the switchers. I have been a PC user for a while until Apple introduced Intel-based Mac notebook. I was tempted by the MacBook Pro and brought a 15.4-inch display, 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo, with 2GB of RAM (upgraded from 1GB). After couple hours of fun playing around with the Mac OS X, I installed Adobe CS2 and did couple test runs. I was so disappointed on its performance. It even runs slower than my old PC laptop (1.5GHz Centrino with 1GB RAM). That is impossible since the new MacBook has 2.16GHz CPU with 2GB of RAM. I thought it could be my Adobe software issue. So I went to install Macromedia Studio 8 to see how it perform. Same result - slow.
I got frustrated and did a quick search on Google. I found this review from MacWorld. Apparently, neither Adobe CS2 nor Macromedia Studio 8 supports Intel-based Macs (running on Rosetta) yet. Fortunately, Adobe has announced that they will fix this issue to support Intel-based Mac computers in the next versions. So, if you are planning to get a MacBook Pro as your work computer, you’ll be better off waiting until Adobe release the next version of Creative Suite.
Note: Universal application like Safari, iLife and Mail are running fine and smoothy on my MacBook.
Update
June 6, 2007
I’m now using Adobe CS3 on my MacBook and they run very nice. However, I still have problem with the heat issues (extremely hot when charging). I heard the second generation released in Oct 2006 is faster than my first generation and the heat issue is resolved.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Firstly, loving your website. It’s a real good inspiration.
Secondly, a main focus of Adobe seems to be compatibility with Intel based Macs:
‘For the first time ever, Adobe is delivering a widely available Photoshop CS3 beta to enable customers to more easily transition to the latest hardware platforms, particularly Apple’s new Intel based systems.’ - Clicky
Hopefully, you’ll find this upgrade to CS3 good and worthwhile.
Keep up the good work!
January 10th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
i got the same problems on a mac pro in the agency…adobe says it will be fixed with cs3 and osx 10.5 leopard
just wait i think it will be all good.
:-)
January 8th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I have the Mac Book Pro and just switched from a PC about two months ago. Some programs do run slower on the mac book pros.I called Adobe and asked. They didn’t explain why it ran slower, but simply said it did and that it runs faster on the older versions of macs…go figure. Anyways, PC’s have got Macs beat on their gaming! Supposedly PC’s are incomparibly better for games than Macs. However, Macs are incomparibly better in music, film. To tell you the truth I haven’t heard which is better for graphic design
January 6th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
BTW, not for nagging Adobe, but have you noticed there is no Illustrator CS3? You think it’s coincidence the Illustrator is the most problematic on the CS2?
January 6th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Hey People.
I read (most of) the comments above, and I’m sort of amazed none of you have even referred to the updates at apple’s DL website. I say this because of the comments of shutting down MacBooks, because this issue CAN BE SOLVED by updating both SMC and EFI firmwares in the laptop. Actually there is an update for most models, including iMacs, and I’ve experienced some improvement with CS2 at Tiger 10.4.7 and 10.4.8.
You should try them:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
And on ‘what the heck is a firm-that?’ go here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93772
Cheers!
January 6th, 2007 at 9:25 am
You should post a picture of your desktop setup
January 4th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Hey, yes im one of those “wannabe” mac switchers.
I’ve been looking into the Macbook Pro and still dont know if I want to buy another Windows based computer. Do any sort of games like Counter Strike or Battlefield 2 run ok on the pro?
January 4th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Hi, I was wondering when running CS2 on OSX, is it more important to have more RAM or to have a better video card.
I am getting a 24in Imac.
January 3rd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Everyone is complaining that Mac BookPro sucks, but at the end I think that 60% of all post are from people who actually don’t have Mac. I am long time PC user, and I will probably switch to mac, so PC and “fake MAC” users don’t think that I am attacking anyone.
January 2nd, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Also, the intergrated graphics card doesnt seem too powerful, is that a concern for photoshop and illustrator, or is that something that only gamers should worry about?