Updated on 03/14/2014.
Thank you for your continued interest in our products, and especially this long-awaited EQ7 Mac release. We are trying to keep you as informed as we can with the release date and details. As with any product, we want to provide quality to our customers, therefore we will not release the product until we’re confident of its performance.
Below are details as we have them now. You can also refer to our post from early January.
When will the Mac version of EQ7 be available?
We are releasing the Mac version to our *current Windows EQ7 users* first in the form of a downloadable migration kit. Migration kits for current EQ7 owners should be available early to mid-March. The full version of EQ7 for Mac (for those who don’t currently own EQ7 for Windows) will be available April/May. It will be available for download as well as in a boxed version for shipping.
I own EQ7 for Windows. How do I purchase the migration kit?
A migration kit product will be available on our website. You will need to enter your EQ7 license ID and password on the website. The website will verify that you have a valid EQ7 license and will allow you to add the migration kit to the cart. There will be a small fee for the kit. The final price has not been set. Again, migration kits are downloadable products only. The cost of a migration kit is $24.95.
So if I purchase the migration kit, can I still use EQ7 on my PC too? My home computer is a PC, but my work computer is a Mac.
Yes. As always, your EQ7 license ID allows you to have two active computers at a time. The EQ7 license ID will work for either the PC or the Mac. You have complete control over the activations and the current computers/platforms that you have active. If you’re not familiar with the details of the activation system, you’ll find watching this video extremely helpful.
Will EQ7 work on my iPad?
EQ7 for Mac requires OS X. The iPad uses iOS which is an operating system for Apple’s portable devices. iOS is optimized for small touch screens and apps. Our full-featured quilt design software is not feasible on these smaller hand-held devices.
What operating system will EQ7 for Mac work on?
EQ7 for Mac will run on version 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or higher.
Will the EQ7 companion books work with the Mac?
The EQ7 lesson books will work with the Mac version just fine. These books were written using the Windows version of the software so you’ll just have to be aware of the keystroke differences. For instance, any instruction regarding the Ctrl or Alt keys, will become Command and Option. There are a few other minor Windows/Mac differences, but nothing that would prevent you from learning the techniques that are being taught in the lessons.
I have EQStitch. Am I eligible for the migration kit to use EQ7 (without EQStitch) on my Mac?
No. EQStitch upgrades your EQ7 license to an EQStitch license. Yes, as an owner of EQStitch, you will be eligible for the migration kit to allow you to run EQ7 on your Mac.
Is there going to be a Mac version of EQStitch (with a migration kit option)? Or Mac versions of any other programs?
We hope so. But it will depend on the number of people who would actually use EQStitch on a Mac. At this time, all our efforts into EQ7 for Mac. Once it is released, we’ll be on to development of our next product!
Will the other EQ software and add-on products work with the EQ7 for Mac?
We will have complete information regarding add-on products when we release EQ7 for Mac. If you already own Windows versions of our products and you have them installed on a Windows computer, then we’ll be able to give you instructions to help you link them to EQ7 for Mac.
I have EQ5. Am I eligible for the migration kit?
No. A migration kit is only for registered owners of EQ7 (or EQ7 Upgrade). If you want a Mac version, you’ll need to purchase the full version.
I have EQ6. Am I eligible for the migration kit?
No, but you are eligible to purchase the EQ6 to EQ7 Upgrade for a Mac. You will need to enter your EQ6 license ID and password on the website. The website will verify that you have a valid EQ6 license and will allow you to add the upgrade product to the cart. This will be available in April/May. Upgrades from EQ6 to EQ7 are downloadable products only.
How will I find out about the Mac release?
We will let you know here on the blog, on Facebook, Twitter and of course through our emails. Please make sure you are signed up for our email list and/or follow us on social media.
02-17-2014
11:15 am
I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming Mac version and can hardly wait for April! I can use EQ in a Windows environment on my Mac thanks to VMWare Fusion, but really dislike working in that environment. I’ll be first in line for this when it is ready and making much greater use of EQ again. Thank you so very much for EQ 7 for Macs!
02-17-2014
11:37 am
I am very happy that EQ7 will be available for MAC. I have been waiting for programs that I love to use can be used without having to go through a virtual machine. Good Work! and Thank you!
02-17-2014
11:46 am
I am bouncing with excitement at the news that I’ll soon be able to use EQ natively on my Mac! I’ve loved being able to use it via Parallels, but it’s sort of a pain to have to boot into another OS, and then there’s the matter of simply preferring the Mac OS. I can hardly wait!
02-17-2014
12:07 pm
I’m very excited about the upcoming release of EQ7 for Mac! I also have EQ Stitch, so from what I understand, I cannot get the migration that will be offered in mid-March, but will need to wait until April/May to purchase a full version. Is this correct?
Still looking forward to a Mac version!
02-17-2014
1:15 pm
I’m looking forward to OSX software, but I’ve been all over your website and I cannot seem to find a downloadable demo for PC or the unreleased OSX windows compadibility layer version. If one of our customers find value in the program they will buy it. It is quite difficult to determine a program has value without using it for a few hours. A video and a few paragraphs of text isn’t going to sell a product that costs more than a quality quilt top and pattern kit. The customer money will likely go to the fabric if there isn’t a compelling reason for the software purchase, like being hooked on it. At the same time requiring a lengthy sign up for a demo key will scare away the more technical savvy customers because they do not want to be spammed. As long as a product is easy to get, like using the Mac App Store, and is affordable and useful, there is little reason for the publisher to need excessive DRM tactics like keys and dongles. Easy access demos and Mac App Store purchases and I’m sure you’ll have a winner. Don’t forget that there is a different culture between PC and Mac usage. It boils down to as a oversimplified whole (not meant as inflammatory) Mac fans are willing to pay a little more for something they expect to work better or easier, while Windows fans often will sacrifice for a perceived value, leaving Linux power users laughing at both because they can use any hardware to get the job done. Over simplified yes, but the point is OSX users want and respond to the friendly and gourmet presentation the App Store provides.
03-12-2014
2:01 pm
Hi Ben, thank you for a very entertaining post. I agree with one or two of your points. Quilters do like to spend their extra money on quilts and customers will buy things if they find it useful. After that I think you need to do some research and know exactly what the buzz words you try to use really mean because you haven’t clue. I have used EQ for Windows for years and its complexity would not lend itself to a trial period. There is no way this is appropriate for the OS-X App Store. As far as protecting their software goes, how did you put it, oh yes computer savvy person knows that they do. Once again thanks.
02-17-2014
1:16 pm
Thank you so much for working on this – you’ve accomplished something wonderful!
02-17-2014
8:45 pm
I’m happy you are coming out with a Mac version but distressed about the way you are handling the EQ Stitch users. I installed EQ7 in a Windows 8.1/Parallels 9 section of a new MacBook Pro last week and it would not install because I used EQ7 and its registration information. When I called I was told to instead install Stitch and its information. It installed just fine, without first installing EQ7. But now you say because of Stitch my EQ7 data is no good so I can not migrate. So our only option to use EQ7 alone on a Mac is to buy a full new program?
02-18-2014
3:18 am
i can’t hardly wait, to get this program for my Mac…
Hope i hear from you soon!
02-20-2014
6:35 am
I had EQ6 on my old PC, but didn’t get around to migrating it to the Mac. I still have all my old project files. What I want to know is, will I be able to access them?
02-20-2014
2:38 pm
I am so delighted to hear this! I’ve owned every single version of EQ. For the last few years I’ve been using Parallels to run EQ, and because it was so clunky, I finally gave up a few months ago and bought a Windows laptop just for EQ. The Windows OS is not as user friendly as the Mac OS. You can be assured that I’ll be getting the Mac version as soon as it is available. Yay!
02-23-2014
3:08 pm
I am also VERY unhappy to learn that, because I also purchased EQStitch, I cannot migrate EQ7 to the Mac. What a way to reward your customers!!! This is something you COULD fix easily, why the choice not to do so?
02-25-2014
10:14 pm
I am very happy to hear that you are releasing an EQ7 version for Mac. Last year in May, I sent you and email asking for the Mac version and you kindly recommended me to install a virtualization software (such as Parellels) plus either the Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 operating system on my Mac. I never did it… I hoped this moment… therefore I will look forward to your email with the good news.
Regards from Chile
02-26-2014
8:56 am
YAY! I’m so excited! My son wants me to buy a MAC but I’ve put it off because I couldn’t use my EQ7 with it. I can hardly wait for new computer AND EQ!!!
03-02-2014
7:46 am
When is the EQ7 for mac available in Holland?
I hope it will be soon
03-04-2014
4:24 pm
I am very angry at being penalized for upgrading to Stitch. There is no reason why my account could not be reset so I could reload up to eq7 and then take advantage of the Mac version. I have not been impressed with Stitch and have been waiting for a Mac version of the software for years. I bought my license and should be able to use it as I need for my own use.
03-04-2014
4:34 pm
I can’t wait. When I moved to Apple products I had to give up on EQ7 and I have missed. I have had EQ7 and one computer crashed and so couldn’t deactivate my EQ7 and another computer was past down to my child and I just plain forgot to deactivate EQ7 on that and they cleared it. Am I still going to be able to upgrade or whatever you call it for my Mac? Please say yes!! I have quilters wanting for me to start teaching EQ classes again.
03-04-2014
4:59 pm
This is soooo very EXCITING!!!
03-04-2014
5:31 pm
I’m so happy to have a Mac version coming since I use my PC less and less. Thank you so much.
03-04-2014
5:32 pm
I’m a little ticked that by upgrading to Stitch I now can’t use EQ7 on my mac.
03-04-2014
5:36 pm
I will be so happy to have EQ7 on my Mac. To use a separate computer and learn to work with Windows has really hindered my learning curve.
03-04-2014
6:03 pm
I did comment earlier that I was happy to have EQ7 for MAC, but didn’t realize that EQ Stitch would not work with the migration. You really need to reconsider giving the migration price to those who have upgraded – I’ve spent a fair bit on this program an would like to use it on my MacBook rather than through Parlallels and Windows 7.
03-04-2014
7:05 pm
Do you know if ROUND(circle) quilt design is possible in EQUILT 7 for Windows and/or would be for MAC?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
03-04-2014
8:38 pm
I am so excited for the Mac version. I love my Mac and absolutely loath the fact that my favs are still Windows based. You have taken the higher road in this process and I thank you for it!
03-04-2014
9:16 pm
Could you clarify the part about EQ Stitch? I have a license # and password for EQ7 and also one for EQ Stitch. Would this not make me eligible to get the Mac version?
03-04-2014
9:32 pm
So, I paid for what I thought was a plug-in for EQ7 and now I can’t use the migration patch to move the EQ7 portion to the OS X side. Caveat emptor! Now I’m stuck using the software on the inferior Windows platform OR I can pay….again….for the program I already own. Nice touch.
03-11-2014
5:58 pm
It is almost mid-March. I am so excited for Mac version I’m checking 1st thing in the morning and last thing at night and I don’t know how many times during the day. I have used EQ for years and when I got my Mac I haven’t been able to use it and I’ve missed it so bad. I tried the work arounds but just got frustrated and finally said forget it. I was teaching EQ classes in my area so had to stop that too. I have people lining up to learn EQ as soon as I get it. I was a heavy user. I could just kiss and hug EQ for finally doing a Mac version.
03-14-2014
7:59 am
I bought EQ 7, Parallels, and an old version of Windows, but found the whole process of installing (multiple updated) of all of them overwhelming, so I cut my losses and ditched them all. I’m now working on a project where EQ woul be so helpful. I will be ordering th EQ for Macs the first day that it’s available.