StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

My “vintage” MacBook Pro just died. The cost of repair is more than the computer is worth. I just purchased a 27in iMac. When it is delivered, Apple will transfer the data from my old computer to the new one. The problem is, no one at Apple can tell me which photo editing software will transfer. I’m told we will have to wait and see. I have Lr 5, PS CS6, Topaz (all programs and Studio), ON 1, and some of the Anthropics software (Portrait Pro, and others).

I am very anxious to see what happens. Does anyone have any idea what will transfer, and what difficulties I will encounter trying to get them up and running?
Thanks.
Steve

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Assume - no

Therefore, get prepared. Find all your license keys. Find all you install files, download if needed. Find all your configuration files such as Presets you've created in LR. Find and confirm your user names / passwords (as needed) for the vendor sites as the old software may not install / run properly on the new platform.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

What OS were you running on the MBP? The current version you’ll get on the new iMac is MacOS 10.13.6.

Those are ancient versions of Lr and Ps. You may be able to go to Adobe.com and find the specs there that indicate the OS version range required.

While at Adobe.com, check out the two Creative Cloud Photography Bundles. For 9.99/month you can get an ALWAYS up to date set of apps including Lightroom CC (formerly Lightroom Mobile, it now runs on Macs and Windows, iOS and Android), Lightroom CLASSIC (a wonderful evolution of what you’re used to), Photoshop CC, and Adobe Bridge. It also comes with some utilities and cloud storage that many of us never use.

ezslides

I've had no problem running Photoshop CS6 on a replacement iMac restored from a Time Machine backup. The old iMac was running an OS a couple years old, too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs6-system-requirements.html

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-macos-sierra-compatibility/

If there are problems with Sierra (10.12.x), there WILL be problems with High Sierra (10.13.6).

Bear in mind that if any of your apps is 32-bit code, it will not work AT ALL on some future version of MacOS — probably 10.15, but possibly 10.14, due this Fall.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I hope you’re wrong; I suspect you are right!
Thanks.
Steve

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks Bill,
My OS system is 2 or so versions old. I stopped updating because I was concerned that I would have difficulty opening my programs each time I updated. That was probably a mistake, but my computer tech skills leave something to be desired. So, I try to avoid any unnecessary problems. Now, I will have to deal with them.

I do plan to take advantage of the situation, and upgrade to the creative cloud bundle. My concern is all of my other non adobe products, and how I will get them installed and running.
Steve

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

That is good to hear. Although I will have the latest OS on the new computer. I am more worried about my non Adobe products, as I plan to update to Adobe CC anyway.
Steve

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks Bill,
To the best of my knowledge, all of my programs are 64 bit. And, as I mentioned above, I will update to Creative Cloud. My concern is getting my non adobe programs installed as plug ins to Lr and PS classic. They are presently installed as plug ins to Lr 5 and CS 6, and work seamlessly. I am hoping the programs will transfer to the new computer, and just require me to enter the activation codes. Apple is not sure.
Steve

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

As others have said, gather together any installation discs, installation codes, license numbers, receipts, and other related information. At the very least, you may need to DE-authorize the software on your old computer, then install it and authorize it on the new iMac. Worst case scenario, you may have to upgrade to a later version that is compatible with MacOS 10.13.6. You may be able to plan ahead by going to the developer's web site and reading the fine print.

The Mac world is interesting. Apple supports older Macs for five years with operating system upgrades. I have a mid-2010 Mac Mini that came with 10.6.8, yet still runs (even better and faster!) on 10.13.6 (although without all the new features that require newer hardware). However, 10.14 won't run on it when it's released, later this Fall.

It generally IS important to keep systems updated, because of the never-ending cat and mouse game of security. Older systems are vulnerable to hacking, if left on the Internet. Apple generally issues security fixes for just their current and last operating system versions.

Software is another matter. As Apple releases new hardware features, they support them with OS upgrades. Then developers take advantage of them when writing new software and software upgrades. Some newer software requires certain hardware that is not present in older Macs. For instance, several features of Lightroom Classic CC 2018 do not work on my Mac Mini. Everything works on my Late 2013 iMac. But I'm sure I'll be replacing it in a few years...

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks Bill,
I’m pretty sure I have all of my receipts and activation codes SOMEWHERE! If the programs have not transferred, or will not work on the new computer with the latest OS, I am dreading trying to contact the software developers. As you know, this is not always the easiest of chores.
Steve

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

As well I know! I once spent three hours on the phone with Adobe trying to deal with a corporate upgrade from Photoshop CS2 to CS4. I got bounced around the world on hold six times, before I got to a high level technician who could give me some secret back door code to get it to work. Smoke was coming out of my ears... Be patient!

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Bill,

Adobe's website will only tell him the OS requirements for up to the OS version that was available at the time that their software version was made obsolete. Any OS that was introduced after that date would not be included in their published information. It may pay for him to call Adobe and ask a live person. If that person doesn't know, ask that the question be referred to someone who can answer the question because the first person you talk to may only be able to refer you to the published specifications, which you know are deficient.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Yup. That’s about it! At this point all I can do is wait to pick up the computer from Apple, and go from there!
Steve

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It may take quite a few call transfers to find someone who really knows, since CS6 hasn't been supported for a long time...

The link I posted about Lr5 is interesting. After a certain OS upgrade, you have to "stand on one foot, rub belly, and yell your name at the same time" to get some things to work. That's enough to tell me, "Just upgrade."

If you don't want a subscription, there's always Affinity Photo, On1, Capture One, etc.