mac software

How do I like my software?

Bundled.

For not much more than the price of a single app, you can often get as many as 10 of them, usually with a combined value in the hundreds of dollars. In fact, I've got three such bundles for you to check out right now.

They're all for Mac users, who already paid a premium for their hardware, and therefore deserve a break on software. Here's a rundown of the three bundles, followed by my pick for the best of the bunch.

1. Macbundler: Nine apps for $45

The nine … Read more

There's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Actually, my favorite Chinese place gave me a punch card good for a free trip to the buffet after 10 punches, so there literally is such a thing as free lunch. (I know, you have to buy 10 not-free lunches first. Let's not ruin my analogy with semantics, shall we?)

There's also such a thing as free software -- if you know where to look. For a limited time, a site called AppyFridays is offering a free Mac software bundle. Combined value of the six included apps: $90.… Read more

Mac software tends to be on the pricey side (not unlike Macs themselves), and freebies are few and far between. That's why I'm seriously jazzed about this deal.

Ending in just two days, the MacHeist 4 Bundle gives you 17 Mac programs for $29. Combined value if purchased separately: $609. (It's true: I did the math.)

I'm not a Mac user myself, but I know good software when I see it. For starters, MacHeist 4 comes with popular writing tool Scrivener, even more popular drive optimizer DiskTools Pro, and even more popular still information-capture tool Evernote (specifically, 15 months of Evernote Premium).… Read more

Long known for its DVD/media playback (PowerDVD) and disc authoring (Power2Go) tools, CyberLink also publishes a full suite of consumer-level photo- and video-editing software that includes powerful technology. In an exclusive release for Download.com, CyberLink's two flagship editing programs -- PhotoDirector for photography editing and management; PowerDirector for video editing and effects -- update to versions 4 and 11, respectively, including a new version of PhotoDirector for Mac. The company is also introducing two new video-production tools for audio -- CyberLink AudioDirector -- and color -- CyberLink ColorDirector, as well as a Director Suite that packages them … Read more

Here's something you don't see every day: a Mac software bundle.

Here's something you don't see, well, ever: a Mac software bundle that lets you choose how much you want to pay.

The StackSocial Name Your Own Price Mac Bundle includes nine Mac apps with a combined value of $340. It's up to you whether you want to pay a buck, $10, $39.23, or something else entirely.

There is, however, a slight catch: If you pay less than the average buy-in price ($11.92 as of this writing), you'll get only six of … Read more

Most Mac users I know would never admit to being jealous of the Windows crowd, but there's one area I know must be a sore spot: cheap software.

I mean, look at the wealth of free and dirt-cheap apps available for Windows, then look at the comparable choices for Mac OS. Just as owning a Mac means paying a lot more for hardware, you tend to pay a lot more for software as well.

But not today. Cult of Mac is offering the 10-app Mac Hype Bundle for $50. Combined value if purchased separately: more than $500.

The bundle … Read more

Pixelmator was already one of the great deals in Mac software, offering Photoshop-style image editing at a fraction of the price.

Now it's even better: for a limited time, you can get Pixelmator 2.1 for just $14.99. It normally sells for $59.

Actually, it's been $14.99 since June, but the just-released version 2.1 adds a wealth of new features -- including Mountain Lion support -- while keeping that tantalizing price.

For those unfamiliar with it, Pixelmator offers advanced image editing via a Photoshop-like interface. Said CNET's Jason Parker in his review of an earlier version: … Read more

You've heard of the "Apple tax," right? It's the notion that Mac users pay a hefty premium for their hardware.

But I also think there's a "Mac OS tax," meaning Mac software tends to cost more than equivalent Windows software. And deals tend to be fewer and farther between.

That's why I'm glad to see the occasional Mac software bundle. Like this one: the Mac SuperBundle Spring 2012 offers nine Mac programs for $49. Combined price if purchased separately: $453.

The bundle includes the following titles:

Interested in buying Parallels Desktop 7, the impossibly cool tool that lets you run Windows right on your Mac? That'll be $79.99, please.

Or, if you spring for the Mac SuperBundle, you can get Parallels Desktop 7 for $49--along with nine other handy Mac apps. Combined, these 10 programs are worth $471. Not a bad return on your 50 bucks!

Indeed, this is arguably one of the best Mac software bundles I've seen. It's available starting today, and for the next two weeks.

Here's the complete list of what you get: