Filed under: Switchers, TUAW Tips, Deals, Graphic Design
TUAW Tip: Adobe CS4 cross-upgrading
Like many of you, I suspect, I still have PC-using relatives that have steadfastly refused to come over to the fairer side of life (and reduce my tech support burden). One of the biggest hold-ups has been their Windows-based software investment, particularly in Adobe applications. Well, with the release of CS4 it's time for upgrades, and I have some new ammunition in the battle to get my folks switched over: Adobe's competitive cross-upgrades.
Adobe allows registered users of their Creative Suite applications to switch platforms at the standard upgrade price (e.g. cross-upgrading from Windows CS3 to Mac CS4 is the same price as a Windows CS3 to Windows CS4 upgrade). So if somebody you know is getting ready to plunk down the cash for the Windows CS4 upgrade anyway, now would be a great time to suggest that they make a complete upgrade and switch to Mac at the same time.
Adobe doesn't seem to advertise the cross-upgrades that much and they're only available when purchasing the upgrades over the phone (800-833-6687). In addition the previous Windows versions must be destroyed and certified with a Letter of Software Destruction (pdf link). Nonetheless, if you have some Windows based hold-outs now would be a great time to get them on board the Mac train.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phill said 8:07AM on 10-16-2008
You can do this at any time if you have a valid license. You just need to contact Adobe's customer service group at their number. It takes a week or two, but I went through the process with my CS3 license last year when I switched.
Reply
john said 8:28AM on 10-16-2008
How nice of Adobe.
Now how about "competitive" upgrades for europeans, instead of charging twice the dollar amount.
Reply
d. said 8:37AM on 10-16-2008
From my experience this has allways been so. I even had old Photoshop 5 licenses upgraded to a full CS2 Suites. It's a tough call to get through to the willingness of Adobe's customer service, but it's worth it.
Reply
Jamie said 8:52AM on 10-16-2008
I did this when my office switched last year. It went through eventually but it took forever and seemed to be pot luck as to whether your letter of software destruction made it's way from the central email or fax pool to the right desk. It saved a lot of money but they sure don't make it easy.
Reply
Jamie said 8:56AM on 10-16-2008
...OH I forgot! This is classic! They made me scan all previous packaging back to the original version and send it through. It was about 23 pages in all, lucky I hadn't thrown away Photoshop 4.0...
Reply
Mordieu! said 10:58AM on 10-16-2008
Not really in line with the subject, but how comes there is no upgrade for the edu version of CS4. I have the edu version of CS3 and my only possibility to upgrade is to buy the new edu version of CS4...
Reply
Spinfusor said 12:18PM on 10-16-2008
Why would you buy the new educational version? You can use the regular upgrade, which is the same price as the educational version. You would have a commercial license.
http://www.adobe.com/go/kb402371
Mordieu! said 12:34PM on 10-16-2008
Thanks Spinfusor!
ltzcoolz said 12:15PM on 10-16-2008
do u need to purchase a new product?Or can u also just switch licenses?
Reply
Balls said 2:20PM on 10-16-2008
I thought only the Windows version of CS4 was 64-bit. Why switch to a Mac and be stuck with 32bit Photoshop?
Reply
rob said 6:25PM on 10-19-2008
Ages ago I cross-upgraded from an old Macromedia StudioMx 2004 for PC to CS3 Web premier for Mac.
I didn't have to send in a letter of destruction or anything, I just purchased the Mac CS3 upgrade and entered the StudioMX serial when registering.
Though the StudioMX software was already cross platform. I also have an old CS2 for PC floating round. I should deactivate the CS3 and test if that works as easy as the StudioMX 2004 path.
You can buy StudioMX 2004 for like $150 or so on eBay if you don't already have it and save $100's on the new Adobe software price.
Reply
Kurt said 4:52PM on 10-31-2008
First off, I'm a PC user who has been running Adobe for years WITHOUT any issues whatsoever.
Second, why would I pay $600 for the CS4 upgrade then drop $2,000 for a Mac?! Why is that a good idea?! My $600 laptop runs CS3 perfectly fine and can handle anything a Mac can.
Reply