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 23rd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
and… continuing the Macs topic… for a 10 years of experience - I’ve never met a Mac that was faster than a PC (when working with graphics). And 2 times cheaper :). Even on a Intel’s 2core gems. One more Q to Mac users - do Mac know what is SCSI drive with 10000 or 15000 rpm? Yeah, I know I more “+” for a Mac - need to change a OS - just copy it from your CD/DVD… fonts from PC to Mac and back? any converters? For me - theres no money probs, $3 or $5K for a BookPro. Q is do I really need it? Or a fast PC-laptop or stationary mashine able to do the same?
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Yeah, one more thing! Nick - good work with vectors and raster. reeeaaally good work. all thumbs up. Impressed! My new edge to move on!
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Ok, as I see there’re some MAC users, ex-PCs… (me, same designer as you, working on a PCs) would you be so kind to tell me: where the difference between Mac and PCs (except MAC book pro external design (damn its good looking thing!)). Why asking, cause theres some thoughts in my mind to change a platform to Mac, and really need to know - is there some hard stuff, that able to change my design style (speed up my work, improve my skills, change ways of design living)??? is there a need to change a Good working (fast, proven, good-working) PC to a expensive, games unplayable, and not a cheap MAC?
January 17th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Answer, you cannot open .mdb files on os x, visual studio doesn’t work on mac, 3ds max doesn’t work on mac. If they all worked, I certainly wouldnt run windows because generally I hate it but I’m forced to as I use the things.
January 17th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Why on earth would anyone want to run windows on a Mac? Windows was spawned by satan.
January 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I recently bought an intel based iMac, upgraded to 2 GB RAM. Running windows XP to with parallels. Its working great, all the progs for intel run perfect, if you instal CS(2) and macromedia on windows it works perfect…intel. Guess we’ll have to wait for the adobe and macromedia universals, but they are going to be nice
January 16th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Yeah, I have the same problem, not with the mac pro itself but with the cinema display, it get very hot indeed. I don’t need to switch the central heating on anymore! :P Don’t worry about the heat, it will be fine, they’ve been made well enough to cope. Wow, just realise you made a site that I keep coming back to.
January 16th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Chris - you are right. After a while using my MacBook Pro now, I’m adapting and loving it. Indeed it is a very fast laptop. The only issue I have is the heat problem when using the power outlet.
January 16th, 2007 at 1:31 am
I love the website, it’s great!! Your Macbook Pro doesn’t suck at all. As everyone says, the software needs to catch up. I recently got a Mac Pro Quad Core 3ghz with 4gb ram they even fun slow on that. Played with PS CS3, it works great! OS X is awsome, nothing can touch it! (Look at the ripple effect on dashboard, wow!) You tried using either bootcamp or paralells desktop to load windows on there? I loaded it onto Paralells and it loads up in a window in less than 5 seconds. Mac’s are top! Enjoy the macbook!!!
January 10th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Photoshop CS3 is running fast on MacBook Pro now. I can’t wait to see the next version of Dreamweaver and Illustrator.