Can I use Aperture on my laptop as well?

I bought Aperture 1 as a CD years ago, then I upgraded online to Aperture 2 and 3. Can I use this application for my laptop as well? How can I get it into my laptop? Thanks a lot for your help.

The licence for the boxed Aperture version entitles you to install one copy of Aperture on a Desktop computer and one on a portable cumputer, so yes, it is possible,

Do you still have all registration keys for Aperture 1, 2, 3? And the downloaded installer disk image for Aperture 3? Then use that installer to install Aperture 3 on your laptop. The problem is, you cannot anylonger download an older Aperture 3 intaller, that can be unlocked by your licence keys. YOu could however convert your licence for Aperture 3 to an AppStore licence, and download again from the AppStore, if your iMac with Aperture installed, is running Mavericks.

Is your profile signature still valid "iMac OS X, Mac OS X (10.6.8)", or have you upgraded to Mavericks on your iMac?

If you cannot change your Aperture licence to an AppStore licence, and you do no longer have the installer disk image, transfer Aperture by copying the Aperture application and the files in /Library/Application Support .

How did you originally install Aperture 3 if you have no DVD for it?

To be honest there is little point in loading Aperture 2 onto a 10.8.5 system, it will not well (if at all). You need Aperture 3.

As for the system with no DVD drive, if you still have the older system with the DVD drive you can share its drive with the other system over WiFi. On the system with the DVD go to System Preferences->Sharing and select the DVD or CD Sharing checkbox. The other system will now see the drive in Finder.

You need an installer disk image for Aperture 3.

For the missing Aperture 1 registration key you can apply to Apple for a replacement licence key, see this support document: Pro Application Replacement Serial Numbershttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT1861

What is the system on your laptop? Is it newer than the iMac system?

Transferring the application directly between the macs will only work, if you transfer to the same system or a newer system. Try to copy the Aperture application and the folder /Library/Application Support/Aperture to a thumbsdrive and tranfer it this way. But you will not be able to activate it without the Aperture 1 serial number.

I checked, and what I have is a CD only from Aperture 1.5.1 (no key found)

The activation key is usually in the booklet inside.

I bought Aperture 1 as a CD years ago, then I upgraded online to Aperture 2 and 3.

Peter has an Aperture 3 registration key, only no longer an installer, Frank. And the registration key for Aperture 1 is missing.

Assuming Apple will supply a replacement key, what else do we need to migrate to make Aperture 3 run on the laptop without the installer disk image, besides the application bundle and the Application Support library?

Actually the system of my iMac is now 10.8.5.

Rethinking your situation - since you are planning to buy a new iMac anyway, consider upgrading the current iMac to Mavericks. Last night's release of Mavericks 10.9.2 has fixed the worst bugs, and having Mavericks on your iMac will allow you to upgrade your current Aperture to Aperture 3.5.1 and convert the licence to an AppStore licence. With that licence, you will be able to reinstall Aperture on all your Macs (Mavericks or later), without having to worry any longer about registration numbers and installer disks. You will be ready, when your new mac arrives.

Just make a full backup of your iMac, so you can restore it from the backup to your current Mt. LIon version, if need be, and then upgrade to Mavericks. The upgrade is free.

Does your laptop have Mavericks as well?

I think the best thing Sarosa can do at this point is upgrade to Mavericks and purchase Aperture 3.5.1. Apple has not, as far as I am aware, supplied an installer for Aperture 3 if the user has lost the one he obtained originally.

Given the missing Aperture 1 key an the missing installer it's going to be difficult to make this work.

If Sarosa really wants to try and get this working without buying 3.5.1 then he needs to contact Apple and make his case.

regards

I think the best thing Sarosa can do at this point is upgrade to Mavericks and purchase Aperture 3.5.1. Apple has not, as far as I am aware, supplied an installer for Aperture 3 if the user has lost the one he obtained originally.

I get your point, Frank.

My hope is, that upgrading exactly the one iMac, where Aperture is currenty running, to Mavericks, will enable Sarosa to upgrade to Aperture 3.5.1, without having to enter the registration keys, because it is already registered on that Mac. I have not been prompted to enter a serial number, when I upgraded. That should consolidate the situation. Sarosa will have an AppStore licence afterwards, without buying Aperture 3 again. And will be able to reinstall from the AppStore on all macs.

But the backup is essential. Should anything go wrong with the upgrade, it must be possible to revert t the previous system.

Ok going back and wading through all this I think you are right.

If the iMac is upgraded to Mavericks then Sarosa should be able to get the license switched over to the MAS in which case he would then be able to load Aperture 3.5.1 on any system running Mavericks.

regards

You are welcome 🙂

Good luck with the upgrade. Let us know, hw it goes.

-- Léonie