Despite – or perhaps because of – its endorsement of the new Apple Computer Inc G4 on Tuesday as the fastest machine available to run Photoshop, Adobe Systems Inc yesterday issued a release saying that it has selected Dell Computer Corp as its corporate standard worldwide for workstations and desktop PCs. In return, Dell is now offering Adobe software as an optional bundle with its Precision workstations. Adobe called Dell’s OptiPlex GI a very cost-effective solution for general office work although according to Tuesday’s testimony it should be two times or more slower than the Apple G4 when running PhotoShop. Nevertheless, Adobe has acquired 850 Dell systems for software development and general office applications. Software vendors such as Adobe face a difficult choice when asked to endorse one competing platform against another, when they support both. It looks very much as if Intel Corp might have put some pressure on the company after Tuesday’s strong Apple endorsement. John Warnock, CEO of Adobe, has made his own choice however, and ordered a G4 for his personal use.
