Hello All:

I am currently using Xpress Pro on the Windows XP partition of an iMac. I can't run it on the Mac partition because I have Leopard installed there so.....   I was thinking about upgrading to MC so I could run Avid either in Mac or in Windows or both.

My question is - if I download the 14 day trial version of MC 3.5 to try it on my Mac will I have to update my dongle?  And if I update my dongle does that mean I can't go back to Xpress Pro in Windows XP if I decide not to buy the upgrade?

Norm

nordicnorm:

if I download the 14 day trial version of MC 3.5 to try it on my Mac will I have to update my dongle?

I think that the point of Trial software is you don't have to buy anything to try it.

Exactly. There is no need to update your dongle.

Thank you.  I presume that if I do buy the upgrade and I want to use it on both Mac and Windows than I will have to upgrade the dongle at that point.  Is that correct?

Norm

The dongle is merely a license key, so in effect you are given temporary access to the software, then when the trial is up you have to decide to invest in the license or not.  Avid currently offers two options for users with pre-existing versions.  You can update your dongle or you can go the route of Software Activation.

If I choose the software activation route, will I still be able to run MC on both Mac and Windows?

Yes. 

Keep in mind that if you go the software activation route I believe that you will not be able to use any versions of MC except 3.5.x or greater. If you want to be able to go back to older version you need to go the dongle route.

Also, with the software activation, you'll have to remember to deactivate your Mac version before you can launch (and activate) the Windows version. Might be annoying if you switch very often. You should stick to the dongle method which will allow you to go to any machine and use it - even if it's got an older version on it.

Thank you all very much for your replies. That was exactly the info I was looking for.  I know, now, that I will stick with the dongle because I do switch frequently between Mac and Windows.  Thanks also to Avid for the 14 day trial.  Now I know that MC works seamlessly on my Intel iMac - at least in the Leopard OS.  I will assume it works as well in Windows XP.

Cheers!