Preinstalled software on brand new Macs

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Preinstalled software on brand new Macs

I've been wanting to replace my MBP with a newer MBP due to extensive history of HD failures due to a logic board issue. With the opening of the Mac App Store, I've been wondering about the custom preinstalled software (iWork, Aperture, Bento/FMP, etc) on a new Mac: if the software is also available on the Mac App Store, will the version that's preinstalled on a new Mac be of the Mac App Store version (provided I have all other prerequisites)? Or does it matter? I ask due to the following two concerns:

* It's said that the App Store version is different from the physical box version due to software updates/licensing/etc. So, is the version that I get preinstalled of the physical or Mac App Store variety?
* If I already have iWork from the Mac App Store, will it (or any other Mac App Store app) be preinstalled at no cost to me? As a corollary, if I have only part of iWork and I order iWork with a new Mac, would I get the App Store versions for the rest of it (and be billed appropriately)?
* If I have already purchased the preinstalled software in physical form separately in past transactions, and it is the same version as that found on the App Store, will the App Store version be preinstalled on the new Mac?

None of these are relevant to me personally, as I have no preinstalled apps that are also available on the Mac App Store, but it piques my curiosity. (I do have a third-party app that is also available on the App Store, but...)

MacBook Pro C2D, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Jan 10, 2011 12:05 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

eww

Level 9

53,028 points

Jan 10, 2011 12:24 PM in response to Community User

It's said that the App Store version is different from the physical box version due to software updates/licensing/etc.

The licensing differences, if such they are, have been extensively discussed and debated in the [App Store forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1432]. The facts are not completely clear at this stage, at least that's my take on it. I recommend heading over there to read about the issue.

While the license may (or may not) be different, and may (or may not) be intended to be different, it appears that the software itself is exactly the same.

If you have the current version of an application installed on your Mac already, the App Store identifies it as "Installed" where it would otherwise say "Buy". I've found this to be true with the iWork apps, which I bought a year or so ago and have kept up to date via Software Update. It was not true of the iLife apps on my computer, because they were old versions. I did find that the App Store offered a version 3.9.6 of one third-party application I've used for years that the updater function in my version 3.9.5 of the app failed to discover on the developer's own website. I dropped an email to the developer inquiring about that and am waiting for a reply.

As for your other questions, I'm not sure clear answers are available yet. But Apple's assembly plants, where configured-to-order machines are outfitted with the software that has been ordered preinstalled on them, almost certainly have no way of knowing what applications you already own.

It's just as well that these aren't immediately pressing concerns for you, because I expect there's going to be a period of adjustment and revision while App Store-related questions like these get sorted out in real life for other people who will be the guinea pigs for the new system.

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Answer 2

Jan 11, 2011 11:40 AM in response to Community User

According to an Apple Store rep, it seems that for iLife at least, the pre-installed version is of the physical rather than Mac App Store variety. So for now I'd assume that all pre-installed versions are of the physical variety and not the Mac App Store variety if a distinction is available.

Let's see when this changes.

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