install on 2 Macs - one program...

[sbb155]

Can I install a program on 2 macs? I mean, do macs have authentication like win xp so it can be installed once only?
If I buy production suite - can it go on 2 macs? What about photoshop? What about tiger or panther? Lastly, MS office 2004? Virtual PC?
Of note, the macs would be both for personal use, a desktop and laptop

 

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says....it depends on the license agreement for each program. For instance, MS Office does allow you to put on your desktop and laptop provided you are the primary user and only use one at a time. For Panther or Tiger (presumably) it is a *single computer* license - meaning you are allowed to only install on one computer without being in violation of the license. Apple does offer a "family pack" for some of its software like OS X, iLife where for nominally more than 1 license you are allowed 5 installs on computers in the same household, non-commercial use - see Apple's website for more details.....oh yeah!

 

[applekid]

Just read those license agreements.

However, if you were to install software that had no protection on multiple computers, the chances of someone finding out or a company taking action against you is nearly nil. But, when it's possible to get a multiple machine license for software, you should get it.

 

[Sweetfeld28]

I would have to say yes you can, but it really isn't supposed to be installed on more than one computer (all of the mentioned programs). I have never really read any of apples policies on this, but i have used the same OS X cd to install the OS on my G3's, and my G4. However, they are for personal use.

As for PS, Office X 2004, and others, i am not sure. I do think though that i you installed these programs, on both computers using the same serial number, you might run into problems. You would only have problems, i think, if you were trying to run the same program on both computers at the same time. You could do this if neither of your, or al least one, of your computers isn't plugged into the internet/online. Some of these types of programs check to see if the programs serial number is already in use, or activated.

good luck though.

 

[Duff-Man]

I have never really read any of apples policies on this, but i have used the same OS X cd to install the OS on my G3's, and my G4. However, they are for personal use.

Duff-Man says...perhaps you *should* read you license agreement as you are in violation. OS X is a *single* computer license. You sound like the perfect candidate for the purchase of a Family Pack license, and if you plan on upgrading to 10.4 that is what you should buy.....oh yeah!

 

[trainguy77]

For office 2004 it has a little thing that makes it so if you are on the same network only one office can run under each incense number. So if you have the same number two machines they can not run at the same time.

 

[PlaceofDis]

this is why there are multiple license packs and why office has the student/teacher edition with three serial numbers

most professional programs (ie Office, PS, OS X, etc) are only one license meaning one computer can have the installation at a time, but most of these also offer multiple license packs as well

 

[flyfish29]

I would have to say yes you can, but it really isn't supposed to be installed on more than one computer (all of the mentioned programs). I have never really read any of apples policies on this, but i have used the same OS X cd to install the OS on my G3's, and my G4. However, they are for personal use.
.

My pet Peeve- it doesn't matter if something is for personal use or business- if the license says for one computer you should use it for one computer-The license is to to protect the company that designed the software and reward them for each computer using them to run (ie. OSx) Obviously some companies have software they allow to be installed on more than one computer using one license but I don't know of anyone that "allows" both of those programs to be used at the same time unless an additional license is purchased.

Buy the additional licenses!

 

[trainguy77]

I agree!

 

[Sweetfeld28]

point taken guys.