Adobe states not to install windows 7 because, their products will not run and are not supported.

There is a big difference between "Adobe support" and that it will "definitely run satisfactorily" on Win7 64-bit. I threw CS3 on Win7 without thinking. Works great. If I were to call Adobe for technical support, they may very well say it's not supported. What support have you received in the past from Adobe? I've used their products since 1995 and have never contacted support. Certainly I have posted questions on their Forums and received satisfactory responses from the volunteers there, just as here on the Microsoft site. Since you have already spent the money, go ahead.

I really wonder why: "...can't stand another day with vista..." It has worked well on my Vista 64-bit system 8GB RAM.

Some one is handing you a line that mac's can only run adobe software. Windows has been able to run adobe software from day one at adobe. So I would not trust that source as being very honest. Sounds like they are pushing you to a mac. Which is your choice. If you do be perpared for the sticker shock. It will cost you even more, because all your software will need to be purchased for the mac platform. A mac that can run adobe software will cost over 3,000 dollars, when a pc is 599.

Your issue with the new 64-bit windows 7 is in how it was installed. The loop is caused in the fact the program is looking and not finding the proper code to install. So it stays in the loop. If you reinstall the windows 7 after restoring the old system. You should be able to correct the problem. A clean install might be required or you cpu isn't 64-bit. Which it has to be inorder to run the 64-bit version of windows 7. Before returning the laptop try reinstalling windows7. Hopefully you do a complete back-up before you did the install.

As far as your adobe software goes you must deactivate the adobe software before trying to upgrade the operating system to windows 7. After that all that is required is on a upgrade is reactivating the adobe software. On a clean install you will have to reinstall all your software after installing windows 7. If you fail to deactivate the adobe software first you will be locked out of that software. Due to the fact adobe will see it as a new install on a new system and they only allow it to be installed on two computers.

The point is adobe software will run in both 32-bit and 64-bit windows 7 operating systems. By talking to the wrong support person it can affectively give you the wrong choice in dealing with a problem. Which was at the root of my issue. I decided to try one computer to checkout if there was in fact a problem. When I discovered there was not. I installed all my computers to windows 7. I am glad, I did the upgrade. All my systems run better and a little faster over-all. Any issues that was causing problems in Vista were corrected in windows 7 at the install. I find it was worth the upgrading to the new windows 7. I would find better support in dealing with your issue. Mac is not the only system that can run adobe software! As early as 1990 when adobe was formed it could run on a pc. In some cases the software was made to run on a pc before it was ever ported to run on a mac. Something to keep in mind.

I have been able to run CS4 creative suite in both 32-bit and 64-bit windows 7. I had a few screen issues that cause me to shutdown and relaunch the adobe program, but it runs. Even all my plug-ins work. I am not sure why the adobe support representative stated to run the adobe software in any other operating system but windows 7. It did not serve anyone to scare people into not install windows 7. The only reason I had issues was the fact of getting locked out of CS3 when I purchased them legally and just a simple harddrive failure cause me the use of those adobe products for 9 months. Before they would unlock them. I did not want to experience that again. By deactivating the adobe software before running the windows 7 install. I was able to restore and run adobe software again after the windows 7 booted up. Had I not deactivated the adobe software, I would be locked out now from all my CS4 products.

As far as the windows 7 issue you are experiencing. Which install were you trying? Was it a clean install or the upgrade path you chose? I heard from cnet that you try one upgrade path and if that fails. Then restore the system and try the other path. I did not experence the same thing and my upgrade was without any problems. My laptop was an upgrade from vista to windows 7 home premium. On reboot I didn't even have to reactiviate the adobe products. They all run fine in the new windows7. My newer system had to have a clean install. Due in part of my upgrading to windows 7 professional version. It is a 64- bit quad-core system and it took a little time rebuilding that system. After running all the updates from both adobe and microsoft. I launched the adobe software and installed all my plug-ins. Both systems ran windows 7 configurer for software issues and fixed problems that prevent launching the adobe software. Windows 7 does run my creative suite and no real issues thus far.

I think the reason your computer is stuck in a loop is the system is looking for code and isn't finding it. I used the main portion of my drive for the install and not the small partition reserved for system back-up. By having all the files on the main drive, That might reduce the chance of the system, not finding the missing code it needs to launch. I would restore the old system and try the install again. This time try a different method of installing. A guy on cnet teried to upgrade and experienced a problem he went back and did a clean install, that cleared up his problem. You might try this way.

On the buying a mac issue. That is your choice but it will come at a higher price tag and you will be forced to buy all new software on top of it. Macs still crash too and they have people writting viruses just as well. The only difference there is they donot protect your system from these attacks. Be perpared to open your wallet and keep it open when dealing with apple. To have all the bells and whistles working is going to cost you extra in monthly subscriptions. In order to run adobe software on an apple or mac be prepared to spend over 3,000 dollars to get it to work right. As you know adobe needs hardrive space and the best graphics card money can buy in order to run efficiently. With a mac laptop be prepared to lose the ability to change out the battery. Which on a long flight you will not have ability to recharge the unit, but the choice is yours to make.