Running PS CS4 for Windows in VM on a Mac

[zona5101]

Anybody using a Mac but running Photoshop CS4 Windows using Parallel or VMware?
Because I have CS4 and not CS5 I have to buy an upgrade if I change platforms. The alternative is to run the windows version using Parallel or VMware. Anybody doing this and what are your opinions on performance? thanks.

[Murtasma]

I've tried it ou using parallels, it was usable, I didn't notice that much of a difference between using parallels or bootcamp to load just the OS. Filters are slightly slower but that's about all I noticed.

Parallels has a trial give it a shot, won't hurt.

[Photologyst]

I believe that Adobe has a platform change special instead of having to upgrade.

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Anybody using a Mac but running Photoshop CS4 Windows using Parallel or VMware?
Because I have CS4 and not CS5 I have to buy an upgrade if I change platforms. The alternative is to run the windows version using Parallel or VMware. Anybody doing this and what are your opinions on performance? thanks.

I've used Fusion (VMWare on Mac) for quite some time as well as VMWare on PCs. Other than performance issues, you may find that there may be some limits / differences in the video system. VMWare thinks it has an SVGA display. Colors may or may not be calibrated properly.

Chuck

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

I believe that Adobe has a platform change special instead of having to upgrade.

Adobe will allow a platform change on current versions only. CS5 would be no problemo. CS4 "is no longer supported", in order to do a platform change I would have to upgrade. Not a biggie, I suppose, but I've had CS4 for less than a year so another $200 is irksome.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

I've tried it ou using parallels, it was usable, I didn't notice that much of a difference between using parallels or bootcamp to load just the OS. Filters are slightly slower but that's about all I noticed.

Parallels has a trial give it a shot, won't hurt.

this maybe the best play.
I know I will have at least a small wirtual machine for some win software. I was concerned about the ease of "edit in PS" when selecting an image in lightroom(mac) to PS(win)running on the virtual machine.And then the save back to LR. I guess i can wait and see then decide if its too much of a PITA and pop for the $200 upgrade to CS5(mac).

Thanks for the responses!

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Adobe will allow a platform change on current versions only. CS5 would be no problemo. CS4 "is no longer supported", in order to do a platform change I would have to upgrade. Not a biggie, I suppose, but I've had CS4 for less than a year so another $200 is irksome.

I could be wrong in this case, but in the past I've found that Adobe uses the same serial number for all platforms. The SN for Windows Lightroom, works with the Mac, etc.
Download the mac version (make sure it's the same package - i.e. Design Premium, standalone Photoshop, or whatever you have) of CS4 from Adobe, and try the Windows serial number. You might be surprised.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by cleamon

I could be wrong in this case, but in the past I've found that Adobe uses the same serial number for all platforms. The SN for Windows Lightroom, works with the Mac, etc.
Download the mac version (make sure it's the same package - i.e. Design Premium, standalone Photoshop, or whatever you have) of CS4 from Adobe, and try the Windows serial number. You might be surprised.

thanks - certainly worth a try!

I know that lightroom is multi-platform from the get-go so that is why it will worth either on either system...

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by zona5101

thanks - certainly worth a try!

I know that lightroom is multi-platform from the get-go so that is why it will worth either on either system...

Could be. I've done it with photoshop Elements as well.