AutoCAD is one of the top used software packages for architects and engineers in the industry and to prove it, Autodesk, the maker of AutoCAD charges whatever the hell price they want. One “seat” or license for standard AutoCAD (not the souped up versions) is, and I quote: “without Subscription, Electronic Download $3,975.00″. If you choose to get a subscription, which allows you to download new versions each time they are released, that’s another $500 or more a year! Per person!
With such a death grip on the market, you’d think Autodesk would use its vast fortunes to keep their product up to date and available to as many people as possible. This would certainly stave off competition, right? Half right. They are now, but there has been a wide gap in coverage.
PC or Mac
For years (18 years to be exact!), Autodesk has not released a Mac version of the software, and since architects like to do a lot of graphic intensive work, we tend to like Macs. So as architects we were forced to either work on a PC, dual-boot or run a PC emulator on a Mac, or get the Mac we wanted and scrap AutoCAD for a competitor. This opened up a window for a slew of competitors to grow their market share little by little – everyone from TurboCad to MicroStation to MacCad to more.
Autodesk must have felt the pinch, because after a huge delay, AutoCAD for the Mac is back! But Autodesk took it even further – they released AutoCAD WS for mobile use (read iPad and iPhone)! So not only can you get back to your Mac, you can go to job sites with your iPad and pull up drawings on the touch screen – how freaking awesome is that?
Now the debate… since I will be upgrading my computer system again this coming summer, do I make the switch to a Mac w/ and iPad, which means paying an upgrade fee for CAD and buying new software for all the rest of my junk, or do I say screw it and switch to a Mac/iPad right now? Decisions, decisions….
While I decide, here’s something to make you smile (courtesy of my friend Rocio)