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.
February 15th, 2007 at 8:22 am
I see some zealots bashing on the man…
you known something,
I am contemplating buying a Mac but all these zealots (let’s just call them “idiots” from now on) should refrain from bashing people that arent happy with their Mac when their reason is a justified one because it is really putting me off Mac completely !
February 9th, 2007 at 10:17 am
ur a sod for even thinking of emulating pc crap on a mac. It’s a PIECE of CRAP. That’s like giving ur mac AIDS! That’s one of t reasons y u moved to a mac. To upgrade ur life. Not downgrade a MAC. You just dont do that! Converts…
February 9th, 2007 at 9:27 am
good machine!! and now with the CS3 release it sucks!!
February 8th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
ya,it’s ture. I also met the same problem. But now it had been sloved. The new version of PS CS3 was released. It’s super fast. Because it’s universal software. thanks the uniersal.
February 4th, 2007 at 4:07 am
[…] I was in Union Square on Saturday morning enjoying the free wireless, gratis lawn chairs and my patent double-tall mocha. Holiday consumerism in full swing, overstated people buying overstated things, a tubby opera singer with a boom box belting out Vivaldi and bold street folk doing whatever for whatever.nnWe’d been at Apple the day before and I was still enjoying some post pitch euphoria. I’d had enough of talking about and selling the tools, I wanted to simply use them - connect, collaborate, create. So I fired up my Mac Book Pro, launched Skype’s video Chat and called Paul (my brother in Idaho). Free call, free wireless and free video.nnPaul wanted to see what I was seeing so I walked the square and pointed my computer’s on-board camera at the sites and sounds and talked him through it. Pretty weird, pretty cool, as I walked he would ask questions and I would answer, I’m sure it looked odd from the outside even for SF. […]
January 30th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Taylor, i’ve just made the switch from a Dell 2650 p1.7 to a macbook pro 2.16 core 2 duo. I was a pc nerd and had the Dell flying, nothing was going to touch it and still doesn’t. Quite. OS X still has some issues as you’ll have read with universal software. As a test, I installed XP SP2 using bootcamp so it was native and I tell you, I’ve never seen applications load as quick. The architecture of these machines is absolutely amazing, we just need the right software which is around the corner - when the price will drop ;)
Buy one and watch it blossom
January 24th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
The reason why is because Adobe has not released a version compatible with Intel macs yet. You are currently using rosetta software to run it which is emulation.
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?