Quark releases QuarkXpress as Universal software application, allowing it to run at full speed on Intel Macs.

QuarkXpress 7 goes Universal

DTP layout publisher Quark has released QuarkXpress as a universal binary – downloads available.

Scoring another scoop over Adobe's InDesign, Quark has announced the immediate availability of QuarkXpress version 7 as a Universal binary application.

This means that Xpress will now run at full speed when installed on Apple's new Intel processor equipped Macintosh computers, as well as on PowerPC Macs. InDesign is not expected to be released as Universal software until some time in 2007.

Quark's announcement is particularly timely, as Apple have just announced the release of the first batch of Intel powered Macs for graphics professionals – the Mac Pro.

The announcement is in sharp contrast to the delay that Quark suffered with in their initial adoption of Mac OS X. That delay is thought to have cost Quark massive sales losses to Adobe and their InDesign page layout package. However, in recent years, Quark has begun to try and reclaim its lost market share with timely and innovative software upgrades. This release will also do them no harm, as graphic designers and pre-press bureaus start to upgrade their computers to the Intel equipped Mac Pro product line.

QuarkXpress 7.01 is available from Quark at US$749 for new users and US$249 to upgrade. Registered QuarkXpress 7 users can download the Universal binary update for free.

9 August 2006

More Quark related stories and features

• QuarkXpress 8 upgrade
• QuarkXpress 7 Released
• Quark introduces free customer support.
• Quark wins design award.
• What is QuarkXpress?

Relevant discussion in the design software forums

• QuarkXpress forums
• Will version 7 of Xpress help Quark take back market share from Adobe?
• QuarkXpress versus InDesign – the debate continues
• QuarkXpress 7 discussion.
• Making bullet points in Quark