Apple's Switch to Intel 'Not Easy' for Developers, Adobe Exec Says

by , 8:00 AM EDT, September 1st, 2005

Apple's announced switch to Intel processors is a major challenge for developers and isn't as easy as Apple CEO Steve Jobs has made it out to be, according to Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen.

The Adobe chief told Cnet News.com that "moving the applications over is not that easy.

"Steve (Jobs) likes to trivialize the process and make it seem easy," he said. "Getting over to MacTel is work...You just can't turn a switch and get a MacTel product--and Steve knows that."

Mr. Chizen said the first MacTel-optimized versions of Adobe's creative products won't be available until the calendar fourth quarter of 2006 at the earliest. If that prediction holds true, it would mean some major software applications won't be available in time for the first Intel-based Macs that are expected to be released in the calendar third quarter of next year.

But Mr. Chizen prefaced his comments by saying he thinks the hard work will be a great benefit.

"I think in the long run it's going to be great because what the users will get is better performance...and greater value," he said. "At Adobe, we tend to optimize for Intel today on the Windows side. The fact that we'll be able to optimize for Intel cross-platform will make it even better for us."