Timeline for Is this 32-Bit Workaround a Viable Alternative to Virtualization under macOS Catalina?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
18 events
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| Aug 2, 2023 at 17:34 | comment | added | Adobe_User | Circling back to say thanks for the answer. I managed to find a related SE/AD question that indicated that the problem (apparently) is that GUI was not functional for those who had attempted it. I don't know if anybody found a solution but from everything I have been able to dig up, presumably not. See: apple.stackexchange.com/questions/393340/… | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 9:52 | comment | added | Adobe_User | @benwiggy True. However, for now I can buy an Intel-supporting edition of Parallels or similar before virtualization software is no longer offered for Intel Macs. Of course, I am not opposed to trying out alternative software but whether that happens now or ~5 years from now, same difference, IMHO. Between Firefox ESR, Apple security updates and a reported final macOS update the year after Sonoma debuts, there's still plenty of life left in a 2020 iMac. By the time it comes time to abandon CS6 once and for all, I suspect desktop computers of any sort will be nearly obsolete too. | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 9:18 | comment | added | Adobe_User | @benwiggy I have a brand new iMac with Catalina pre-installed that I haven't set up or used with Time Machine, Migration Assistant, etc. So presumably if I were to test this workaround out, it's now or never. I used to be up for challenges like this years ago but since I'm rusty, I thought I would ask to see if anyone has an updated take on this workaround since it was first mentioned in the linked 2020 Q&A. The answer here is helpful in that it outlines the risks of doing so to an in-use system. But since my data doesn't live on the new iMac yet, I may have less to lose by trying. (Curious!) | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 9:12 | comment | added | benwiggy | @Adobe_User Apple will remove Rosetta from the OS at some point in the future, sure. But there's no indication of it being removed yet. Parallels runs on M-series Macs, but it doesn't support old Intel Mac OSes. I'm with you on not paying subs, but you need to be prepared that one day CS6 will not work. (Arguably, that day has already come.) Make sure you can access your files with other software before that happens. | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 9:08 | comment | added | benwiggy | @Adobe_User "Q: Would the risks be minimized...." I don't understand how incomplete migration has anything to do with knowing which files to copy over from the OS. Of course, you can make as many boot volumes as you like to test stuff out. | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 9:07 | comment | added | Adobe_User | @benwiggy If I'm not mistaken, Parallels 18 supports the M1 and the Intel Macs, but that (Rosetta?) compatibility is already on the way out with the M2s. If I were relying on this software professionally, then yes it would be vital to stay current. But mostly I object to the "own nothing, rent everything" business model. I already have too many recurring bills tied to apps, streaming services, etc. that I won't be able to keep going forever, either, especially as the list of subscription services keeps growing by the year. For as long as I can cling to my pre-Cloud licenses, I'm going to try | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 8:57 | comment | added | Adobe_User | "Firstly, correctly identifying all the necessary files to copy over from Mojave is not without risk of error or omission. (The link that might provide some guidance is dead". This is what jumped out at me too: What libraries do I copy over? Q: Would the risks be minimized since I haven't completed migration to the newly-purchased iMac and don't yet need to back anything up with Time Machine? Alternatively, what about testing a dupe of Catalina on another drive partition? ((f all else fails get rid of that drive partition, resume the migration and then go the virtualization route?) | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 8:56 | comment | added | benwiggy | @Adobe_User My point is that an Apple Silicon Mac won't run a Mojave VM; nor Catalina with 32bit libraries. You'll have to move up from CS6 at some point -- either by subscribing to Adobe, or using alternative software. Hardware and software are transitory, but hopefully your data can be migrated. Best to do it before you need to. | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 8:25 | comment | added | Adobe_User | "Why the sudden desire to upgrade to Catalina, after 3+ years?" It's actually the other way around: Catalina represents a long overdue jump forward — so much so that until I began reading up recently I didn't appreciate how much had changed from Mojave (which is installed on my MPB). So it occurred to me that since the question I linked to was from 2020, there may be updates on how well the 32-bit workaround works. If good, I would test on a separate Catalina partition. If not, use VMware or similar. Meanwhile, I take it not many people have tried this workaround for the reasons you describe. | |
| Jul 27, 2023 at 8:11 | comment | added | Adobe_User | "One question to ask yourself is: if your Mac died tomorrow -- e.g. Logic board failure; or got stolen, caught fire, etc -- and you had to buy a new Mac, what would happen?" Funny you should ask. I go back to the early '90s with Apple (did my own HD upgrades, memory installs, etc. back in the day). Since then, I have fallen behind on the desktop front (2009 iMac still in use!). Just purchased a NIB 27" iMac with Catalina (2020 model). Doubt Apple will drop macOS security updates for ~4 years, ESR browser from Firefox potentially ~6yrs. MBP will be replaced with Apple Silicone Macbook in ~2yrs. | |
| Jul 26, 2023 at 8:57 | comment | added | Tetsujin | Great idea, in theory - & if I tried really, really hard I might even be able to get the original source code, as I used to work for the company that owns it. Trouble is… I don't have anything like 10 grand to spend on this :\ | |
| Jul 26, 2023 at 8:41 | comment | added | benwiggy | @Tetsujin Driver support for audio hardware is traditionally appalling. (And Apple's own "class-compliant" drivers are pretty awful.) For much less than 10k, you could pay someone to write new drivers -- and then sell them to others with the same kit! | |
| Jul 26, 2023 at 8:34 | comment | added | Tetsujin | [Sorry to get conversational on this, but] even though a lot of software is replaceable, Adobe, Office etc, this becomes a hardware trap too. I have audio gear, perfectly serviceable but obsolete, which relies on 32-bit drivers. The cost to replace with modern gear will be about 10k [& still not actually be as good as what I would have to abandon.] | |
| Jul 26, 2023 at 8:03 | history | edited | benwiggy | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
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| Jul 26, 2023 at 7:56 | history | edited | benwiggy | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
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| Jul 26, 2023 at 7:46 | history | edited | benwiggy | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
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| Jul 26, 2023 at 7:41 | history | edited | benwiggy | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
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| Jul 26, 2023 at 7:35 | history | answered | benwiggy | CC BY-SA 4.0 |