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Adobe Releases Reader 8

Adobe Releases Reader 8

by , 7:50 AM EST, December 6th, 2006

Adobe released Reader 8 on Tuesday, adding support for PDF documents created with Adobe Acrobat 8. In addition to Acrobat 8 compatibility, Reader 8 is a Universal Binary application, allowing it to run natively on PowerPC and Intel-based Macs. It also features a redesigned interface, supports Adobe Connect Internet-based conferencing, includes improved PDF collaboration tools, and more. Adobe Reader 8 is free, and is available for download at the Adobe Web site.


Adobe Reader 8's new interface.

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Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:jcbeckman Posts: 55 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Not universal, seperate binaries

When you download, you specify Intel or PPC and get a binary for that architecture. I've found Reader 8 to be as fast as Preview on Intel and PPC, and even the Windows version is very fast now.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Horrible

I tried this for about 15 minutes and then trashed it and went back to version 7. Version 7 is MUCH easier to use, has a better UI, and is actually SPEEDY. Version 8 is sluggish at best and feels very heavy when trying to use it. I have 1GB of RAM on a brand new MacBook. Acrobat Reader should not be an issue to run. Adobe is really falling behind here...

Close Name:vasic Posts: 279 Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Subject: Must have installed PPC on Intel Mac

Our Guest here (also known as jaredbkt on another Mac forum) seems to have installed the wrong binary on his MacBook. His post is identical to the one on another forum today. It seems that I am not the only one experiencing significant performance increases with this new version.

As for UI, this is very much a matter of personal preference. I'm guessing, those who don't like it now will probably quickly get used to it. To me, it seems much more streamlined that the busy UI of 7 (or 6 for that matter).

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Actually I Didn't

Thanks for assuming the worst but I actually did download and install the Intel version. Seeing that I worked for Apple for 2 years I'm quite capable of downloading proper software.

Version 8 is a dog and terrible. The UI is very amateurish.

Close Name:vasic Posts: 279 Joined: 09 Aug 2005
Subject: Something must be wrong then

It seems that the experience of our guest here is quite unique, as others here (and on forums elsewhere) who reported on performance have all noticed significant improvements in speed. There must be a reason why on his MacBook the performance is actually worse than that of the (bloated sluggish) PPC code in v7. If this were to happen on my Intel iMac, I'd look into it, expecially after others have mentioned how fast 8 is. I wouldn't think this is one of those situations where 'your mileage may vary'...

Close Name:dprbailin Guest
Subject: Adobe Reader 8 is a Step back - For Now!

Digital Edition Management is gone. They have a separate new app that is Windoze only for now. A great step back. Stay with 7.0.8 for now if you have digital editions that you manage in Adobe Reader

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