Pay for Upgrades?

The Intel/Mac information page seems to indicate that all future Reaktor updates, including the smaller bug-fix updates for either Mac or Windows-based PC's, can only be acquired by giving NI more money.

Am I reading that info wrong?

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/index.php?id=intelmac_us

 

It says pretty clearly that the intel mac compatibility will be in either a "dedicated Intel-Mac compatibility update" available for a fee, or the next version. In the latter case presumably it will be a full version that will cost money rather than one of the free minor updates, but otherwise it does not say anything about a fee in that case.

I'm not really sure how you got from that to thinking that all future updates of any kind will cost money, as it doesn't really imply that in any way.

 

Hmm... well, let me just say that I'm getting some bad vibes from that page. Probably because they titled one of the sections 'Compatibility of all new releases'. If they had said 'Compatibility of all new MAC releases', it would clarify that Windows upgrades aren't going to be fee-based upgrades.

They also followed up that section header with the following text... 'All future product releases will include "Universal" versions that will take full advantage of the new Intel Mac platform while maintaining compatibility with PowerPC-based Macintosh computers.'

Here again, they said "All future product releases", rather than "All future MAC product releases". Sure, they mention MAC's later in the line, but they're talking about merging everything into a universal upgrade that will run on both a MAC and Intel chip... so are we to assume that the Windows upgrades aren't in there as well? The Intel installation code could very well include a Windows-functional program in it if NI wanted to go that route.

Someone on the NI writing staff should go in and fix that page so that it blatantly states that Windows upgrades will remain separate from any MAC upgrades, and won't be charged for future minor updates.

 

It says nothing about a fee except for any "dedicated Intel-Mac compatibility update."

 

Windows runs on Intel chips, and there may be a fee for Intel updates. Ergo, there may be a fee for Windows updates.

 

Well, I thought the way it worked was that updates for a particular program version that you own are free, and when the version number went up, it's an upgrade, which is paid. Intel-Mac is new and may be considered in some way an upgrade as well as an update.

 

I don't get this "pay for updates" thing at all. Sure, a full v up or maybe a half v up should cost some for the extra features, but NI should suck it up for their Macintosh user base. Apple should be commended for moving forward and their user base shouldn't be penilized for it.

I'm sniffing Reaktor 5 now and a new laptop to go with it. If they're telling me that if I buy it now for the Mac I'll have to pay an extra $30, I'll wait... or just buy a Win-tel laptop where this isn't an issue. Will NI charge $30 for a fix when their apps don't work on Vista?

 

You are trying to read more into it then they are saying. "Universal" refers to what Apple calls "Universal Binary", which is a transitional format for packaging Mac OS (and only Mac OS, not Windows, regardless of the processor... incidentally, there is not Mac processor, there are IBM, Motorola and Intel processors) applications until the PowerPC platform is phased out.

This is what they mean by "will take full advantage of the new Intel Mac platform while maintaining compatibility with PowerPC-based Macintosh computers". These have absolutely NOTHING to do with Windows computers.

 

Well a year later but, still not sure....I can't find it on the upgrade page. Is the Universal Binary update for mac compatible for non UB macs? And how much is the update for us sorry mac users? Can't find that either. I realize I need it because I already have come across a few ENS I can't use with 5.1.1.002 because it's too ancient. So, if I knew how much it cost and whether I could use it with having to update my entire system I might get it. Anybody know the answer to these two things?

 

Say what? Do you have any idea of how much work it takes to make existing code bases UB compatible? Are those coders supposed to donate their time?

Yes, Apple should be commended- for finally going to a modern architecture. As to the user base being penalized, when you consider that a Windows machine that's essentially the very same machine will cost you half as much, I think that says who's screwing who. Add to that the interesting observation that when running cross-platform apps on an IntelMac using both OSX and XP via bootcamp, in many cases the Windows side will outperform the Mac side and it becomes even clearer.

They're saying nothing of the sort. If you buy R5 now, the UB update is free; you're after the cutoff date. And, NI apps DO work on Vista.

ew

 

It's a free update for you. The Windows and PPC Mac update's free; the UB version's the update that'll cost you if you bought R5 before the cutoff date.

ew

 

Oh Lawdy...

 

agreed but lets not start a Mac vs PC war.

sowari

 

Exactly. We all know that Macs are far superior! :lol: