[minderbinder]

I agree that having to send in the disks is just an awful idea. Especially for Logic users, they already have a dongle so confirming ownership isn't even necessary. Pain in the butt, additional time, additional postage.
What's the point? They already know who existing users are because of registration with serial numbers. What does sending the disks in accomplish for apple?
But you can backup your install disks, right? Why wouldn't you be able to, they're just dvd's right? And I could care less about the license agreement, are you really going to not back them up just because of a shrinkwrap in a case like this?
I'm also not happy about the FCS thing. I bought STP because it was cheap, now it looks like my only upgrade options will cost more than I paid for the program initially? I don't want any of the other apps, I have no use for them.
"Don't upgrade. These upgrade disks are for intel's."
In the case of Logic, the upgrade has additional new features (and hopefully bugfixes) in addition to being universal.
"You can always wait until the next regular upgrade and pay regular price and then you can keep your disks."
Assumption on your part. How do we know that apple won't continue this policy with future upgrades?
"The only professionals needing new crossgrade discs are ones with new those great new MacIntel towers that replaced the quad G5s. Oh, they're not out yet? Maybe by NAB?"
I guess you forgot the new iMacs? And sure, there's no reason you couldn't run these apps on one.

[minderbinder]

A correction on this story - looks like the disk return is for only some of the pro apps.
Upgrading to Logic 7.2 doesn't require it.

[canettijazz]

Figured there would be some negative reaction to sending the original disks back to Apple in order to crossgrade. Two potential problems that I see with the mail in process: 1) As others have mentioned, unavailability of the original discs if you need to re-install while the new discs haven't yet arrived; 2) Stuff gets lost in the mail.
I'd definitely make a backup of the disc before mailing it to Apple, plus I'd definitely send it via certified mail, so you have some way to track it. Can you imagine the problems you'd have if Apple said they never received your discs in the mail? Too bad there's no option to crossgrade at the Apple stores.
Great deal on the FCS upgrade. I'd take advantage of it now, even though you may not need the current version now. This would let you take advantage of upgrade pricing down the road since FCS apps will no longer be available individually.
Apple should realize not selling the apps individually opens the door to piracy.

[longofest]

Apple's reason for only offering the apps as Final Cut Studio is BUNK, and I hate it. I, like many people, have picked and chose which products I wanted to use because I was on something called a "budget."
My setup is the following: Final Cut Express 2.x + DVD Studio Pro 2.x. Under the old terms, I would be able to upgrade my DVD Studio Pro application for only $199. Now, in order to get an updated version, I have to shell out $1299!!! This is ridiculous!!! I have already spent $500 on DVD Studio Pro once! Is Apple really evil enough to penalize people who don't upgrade every revision?
Also, in my setup, I really have all of the functionality that I need. The only other application that I wanted was Motion, which used to be available for $200. Now, in order to add that functionality, I would need to shell out $1299. Ridiculous.
Basically, Apple is forcing me to make a $1300 purchase instead of just the $400 I had planned on. Asswipes.

[rmeister0]

In reply to:

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Legally, I don't think Apple allows backup of the disks although I'd have to check the license agreement.

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As long as those backups never leave your possession, who will care? You are allowed to make backups of software you have legally purchased, and even if you aren't the Apple Police won't show up at your door and audit you home.
Your business is another matter.
Requiring the disks back bothers me. I worked with other companies in the past that requested things like the title page of your manual and that was fine. Even Adobe didn't ask for my original media when I did a cross-license upgrade form Mac to Windows.
To discontinue selling the components of Final Cut suite separately is going to leave a lot of high-end amateurs out in the cold. Too bad. iMovie was good enough for what I need to do with it, but I really prefer authoring in DVD SP. Guess I won't be doing that anymore.

[2bigfeet]

If you send your disc's by way of USPS use some sort of delivery confirmation process. Twice Apple burned me for rebates... claim they never recieved them. Of course it could have been the Postal service. None the less two $50 rebates I'll never see.

[grandzign]

Please correct me if I am wrong here, but isn't a "Universal" application installable on both IBM and Intel chips? Hence the term "Universal"? The new iLife '06 is, I believe, Universal, and can be installed on "PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5 or Intel Core processor..." as stated by the "Requirements" on the back of the box.

[minderbinder]

Yes.

[grandzign]

...Thank you, Mindbender.
So let me do some " for instance" math here...
If I own Sountrack Pro (current version) for $299.00

I own a 2.7 GHz Dual G5
I pay $199 for the "Universal" upgrade =
I'll be able to get the whole FCP Studio for $500.00, that will work on my machine AND cost $800.00 less than someone who owns none of the pro appplications OR just recently paid $1299.00 for the whole package.
Is my math correct?
BTW: I own all the current versions of FCP Express HD, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro and Motion. I bought them individually, over time, so this would be great for me. But is sounds like a great deal for someone who only owns ONE pro application.

[minderbinder]

Looks like it. It's a great deal for someone who wants the full suite and has one now.

[Rugby]

In reply to:

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to risk downtime if they have million dollar projects

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they could invest some of that money to buy an external backup. Anybody handling this size projects should have them removed from them if they fail to have a decent back up plan

[Adwiz]

Okay, because of all the confusion, here are the details directly from the Apple Store:
Upgrade from Final Cut Pro 5: $99
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form

Upgrade from Final Cut Pro 4 or HD (4.5): $199
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form

Upgrade from Motion 2: $199
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form
Upgrade from Soundtrack Pro: $199
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form

Upgrade from DVD Studio Pro 4: $199
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form

Upgrade from Production Suite: $199
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Shipping March 2006 PDF order form
Upgrade from Final Cut Pro 1, 2, or 3: $699
You get Final Cut Studio (Universal) Available March 2006 (no downloadable upgrade PDF)
Hope that helps

[gilgamesh]

Seems to me that someone who bought more than 1 of the programs (FCP 4 or 5, Motion 2, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, or production suite) could easily sell one of them on ebay (or the like) since there are going to be soooo many people wanting to find one so they can upgrade to Studio Universal. I imagine you'll get close to full price.

[melgross]

All you had to do was to post this:
http://www.apple.com...sal/crossgrade/
I thought to look it up after my earlier post. It has all of the info you need.