bit-tech Shopping: Apple iLife '08 (Full Product, Mac)

• Audio Editing/Capture
• Loop/Sound Library
• Video Editing/Capture

• Intel Core Duo
• PowerPC G4
• PowerPC G5

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Lots of Programs for the Price, New updates with Great Features

Weaknesses: New iMovie only works on Intel Macs

Summary: I bought this hoping to use the new version of iMovie on my G4 laptop and found out that that was the only program on the DVD that didn't work on G4s. I was a little disappointed, but at least Apple has released a downloadable version of iMovie HD 06 on their website for people in my situation. I just wish there had been a large disclaimer when I bought it. I like all of Apple's programs and use them regularly. I most often use iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD. Right now I'm converting my old Hi8 tapes using iMovie and it works very well. I plan to turn the video into DVDs using iDVD.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Much more versatile programs

Weaknesses: none

Summary: This update is much more versatile than the original, which i've been using for too long now. iPhoto is no longer just a storehouse for pictures--it is now much easier to use and modify my pictures. Likewise, (iweb, garageband and the rest) offer an easy interface and new features that make this update worthwhile.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Native applications for Mac...

Weaknesses: Should be included with Leopard...

Summary: I was upgrading to Leopard, so figured I should go ahead and grab the newest version of iLife while at it. I wasn't (and still am not) an avid user of any the iLife suite -- just mostly playing around with GarageBand and iPhoto. As I do my own HTML coding, iWeb isn't for me, and as of yet, I don't deal with movies -- so iMovie isn't necessary.iPhoto performs very well on my first generation white MacBook. While I only really take advantage of its organizing capabilities (and not editing -- Photoshop Elements is my preferred software here), it puts everything beautifully in one place. Previews can quickly be performed, and you can organize photos in a breeze.GarageBand is mostly just a toy. It coordinates well with a Yamaha keyboard I have that plugs in via USB -- if I feel like playing around with instruments and such on MIDI files. Better yet, however, is how I can make simple ringtones for my iPhone from any unprotected source. With 2GB, performance is still pretty peppy -- though I assume this is a big resource hog.A quick note on upgrading from '06 to '08 -- probably not worth it for the average user. But as I like to have the latest and greatest -- it's worth it to have the best performance possible with Leopard.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 8

Strengths: I photo08 WOW !!!other programs are good but I photo is a fantastic upgrade

Weaknesses: have not found any as of yet but I am still searching

Summary: a large upgrade to I photo . this alone is worth the investment . I dvd is good but I do not find it as improved as I photo . garage band is always fun to use . I movie has been upgraded to accommodate newer camera technology .

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: iPhoto superb

Weaknesses: None noticed

Summary: I bought iLife '08 mainly for iPhoto. As a photographer who mostly uses iPhoto for my archiving and display purposes, iLife '08 far exceeds my expectations. The "events" feature, that automatically "stacks" photos really saves me time and eye strain in trying to quickly review photos in my iPhoto library.I can recommend upgrading to '08...it is worth it!