Over the years, there have been several examples of Windows-only programs that have kept people from switching to the Mac. This week, that list got a little shorter, when Autodesk released AutoCAD for the Mac.
While the program sports the same features as its Windows-based counterpart, this version takes advantage of OS X features like Cover Flow and Multi-Touch. The system requirements are pretty steep — the software requires a late model Mac with at least 3GB of RAM and a 64-bit Intel processor. If your machine is more than a few years old, you may be out of luck here.
There’s a 30-day trial available on Autodesk’s website, and the software is free for students and teachers for personal usage. However, the regular MSRP is $3,995. While that may seem pricey, it is excatly the same price as the Windows version. The crossgrade version is $1,995.
This is great news for the Mac. I have a feeling that there are many design firms that will be looking at the Macintosh as a serious option now that needing AutoCAD doesn’t mean running Windows virtually. It’s encouraging to see another large software title finally embrace the Mac.
Additionally, the company has an iOS app named AutoCAD WS, which lets users view, resize and annotate DWG drawings on the go.
Article via Apple Insider
