Apple drops Shake price drastically

Aside from adding new features, Apple Computer has dropped the price of its video compositing and effects software by more than 80 percent. The new version, Shake 4.1, will be priced at $499 as opposed to $2,999. Shake 4.1 is used in conjunction with Final Cut Studio, Apple's video and audio editing suite. Shake is known for being used by the visual effects supervisors of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which won an Oscar for its visual effects in 2004. But the significant price drop indicates a change in accessibility for independent filmmakers and film students.

As with other software programs released in universal version, Apple is requiring current Shake 4 owners to pay $49 for what it calls a "crossgrade"--an upgrade that makes the software compatible with Intel-based Macs. In March Apple shipped the first universal version of Final Cut Studio for $1,299 with a "crossgrade" fee between $99 and $699, depending on the previous version owned. On some occasions, Apple has waived the crossgrade fee for certain applications. In April, Apple cut the price for Aperture, its photo work-flow management software, from $499 to $299. The crossgrade fee for Aperture universal had been waived in January.

[longofest]

Buy into a dying program?

MacRumors is reporting that Shake 4.1 will be the last version of Shake until a new app comes out in 2008.

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/06/20060619205409.shtml" target="_newWindow">http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/06/20060619205409.shtml</a>

[dansterpower]

Not Dying, Get Stronger

Shake is a fantastic program with a lot of complexity.

A year and a half is not unreasonable for the next upgrade.

[Thomas, David]

Insane in the membrane

The subject aptly describes your thought process. If you had a real
clue into the capabilities of this application, not to mention all of
the award winning films it has contributed to, you never ever would
have made that comment.

[mystereojones]

Good idea

This is a good deal for users.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/536/42/" target="_newWindow">http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/536/42/</a>

[skeptik]

desperate times

Is this just an attempt to prop up the validity of the Mac OS by making professional level programs available at consumer level prices (programs that will only run on the Mac OS) in a time when the difference between a Mac and a PC is dwindling and the main reason many don't choose Macs is due to lack of software options?

Looks like it to me.

[technewsjunkie]

Clueless

You are clueless. Have you been in a time capsule? To think that because Macs now use an Intel chip that the "differences are dwindling" between the platforms is negligible shows you lack of knowledge of Macs. It's not just hardware that distiguishes Macs and not merely the CPU. It's the OS, the plethora of applications, including MS Office and the whole package or user experience that is different.
The current crop of Macs in particular are outstanding. Read the reviews including PC World and other PC centric journals that praise Macs.
Your criticisms are meritless and absurd.
Do your homework!