Poll: Should I install InDesign 2019 or 2018 on Windows 10?

[InfoDevPro]

Hi all,

I'm trying to gather some data...

Is InDesign 2018 working well for you on Windows 10?

Is InDesign 2019 working well for you on Windows 10?

I recently had several problems trying to use InDesign 2019 on Windows 10 (system details below). Problems were so bad and persistent that I actually ended up using Word to finish the large project I was working on.

My computer is a few months old, and I have just done a factory reset and made sure all software is updated with the manufacturer's drivers, defaults, etc. I'm now wondering whether I should go with InDesign 2018 or 2019. I don't care about new features – all I care about is that it works reliably so I can meet my deadlines.

Unfortunately, it appears that InDesign isn't fully functional on Windows anyway... For example, it doesn't use the GPU on Windows, which is disappointing (see GPU-Acceleration on Windows – Adobe InDesign Feedback and Adobe InDesign GPU Performance feature enhancements), but what I'm trying to get a sense of is which version is less buggy and more reliable.

Can you weigh in?

Thank you!

System Requirements (InDesign system requirements )

• Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor

(I have: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8565U CPU @ 1.80GHz, 1992 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s))

• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 or Windows 10*

(I have: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, Version 10.0.17763 Build 17763, x64-Based)

• RAM: 4 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended)

(I have: 16 GB)

• Hard Disk Space: 3.6 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices); SSD recommended

(I have: 15.8 GB and an SSD)

• Monitor Resolution: 1024 x 768 display (1920 X 1080 recommended), HiDPI display support

(I have: a laptop with 3840 x 2160, two external monitors with 1920 x 1080, and a Targus 2K docking station for the external monitors)

• Video Card 32-bit video card

(I have: Geforce GTX 1050 with Max-Q design, 2GB and Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620.)

[BobLevine]

Install them both and try them. Nobody else's experience is going to guarantee yours.

That said, I have no real issues with either 2018 or 2019.

The only issue you may have is with UI scaling. You may need to play around with that to find a comfortable setting.

[InfoDevPro]

One vote for each... anyone else?

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

Agree with Bob.

Since your license lets you install a copy of each version on the same computer, install both versions and test them out. I have not preference, other than because I work in accessibility, I always use the latest version of software so that I have the latest tools to meet accessibility standards.

[InfoDevPro]

Are you on Windows?

(I'm aware that I can install both versions... Just looking for some data.)

[BobLevine]

Then do it. You’ll get a lot more answers that way than anyone else can give you.

[InfoDevPro]

Still looking for data, in case anyone would like to contribute.

Thank you!

[BobLevine]

While I get that you’re looking for input, you already have the ability to get the answer. It’ll take you 5 minutes to install those applications.

[InfoDevPro]

While it will take me five minutes to install each, it could take hours to fully test each, and then I will have both versions installed, which is not ideal given my typical workflow. In my experience, there is no reliable way to truly test sophisticated software like ID except to use it for an actual project with actual requirements, which also means I'll be under a deadline, which also means I'll need to focus on the work rather than on the software. I'm not paid to test software, and it would be nice to take advantage of the helpful knowledge of the many people who participate in this forum so that I can choose the best option from the outset.

If you don't want to contribute, then that's fine.

Thank you!

[BobLevine]

I am contributing. And unless I’m missing something I’m the only one trying to help you.

Even if 100 people tell you something, only you can decide. Every system is just a little different.

But, I’ll bow out now.

[Steve Werner]

While I've had no problems with InDesign CC 2019, it's been pointed out by one of the InDesign product manager in the InDesign UserVoice site that a newer update is currently being tested.

So my recommendation would be to install InDesign CC 2018 now, and try CC 2019 when the update is available for users before long.

[halogen88]

Wow, they really put the "community" in Adobe community here.

I'm sorry your experience in getting answers hasn't been great so far!

I've used InDesign 2018 for a while with no issue, but have had issues with the type tool in InDesign 2019 - slow loading, non-responsiveness when selecting the type tool, InDesign auto-switching back to another tool when you use the shortcut for the tool.

Just nightmares.

I do have a fair amount of fonts installed, which may have impacted that. But having a lot of fonts is not a niche use case.

As Steve mentioned above, I think you'd have good luck sticking with 2018 and in a few weeks or a couple months, after they've ironed out the bugs, trying out 2019.

Best of luck finding something that works for you.

[InfoDevPro]

Just the type of information I was looking for. Thank you!

[Vadsager]

I have WS10 and the 2018 has been working fine, but when I updated to 2019 I have experienced several crashes when exporting larger files to PDF. Yesterday suddently all links in an old document (which was not changed in any way) were to be relinked.
So in my opinion 2019 is behaving rather spooky.

[InfoDevPro]

Perfect! Thank you!

[AirfixNikon]

It is your computer therefore your choice.

If it will make you feel better, install 2018 for now. If it is working fine, then great. But if it is not working, then install 2019.

No matter what, any versions of software out there can never be very reliable, and will have bugs, that's why software seems to keep getting updated every time bugs have been found, or new features are needed.

[InfoDevPro]

Which version do you use? Are you on Windows?

[InfoDevPro]

Results so far (assuming all responses are from people using Windows):

2018: (+1, +1, +1) = +3

2019: (+1, +1, -1, -1) = 0

I'll give it another day for more input.

Thanks for contributing!

[AirfixNikon]

InDesign CC 2018  (Version 13)

Windows 7 Professional on a custom built computer with AMD FX6 series CPU.

[BobLevine]

You should be aware that the next versions of CC will not be supported, and won’t even install on Windows 7.

[AirfixNikon]

I'm not planning on updating my InDesign at all. I prefer to stick with what works for me. But thanks for the heads up anyway.

[InfoDevPro]

Which version is working for you? Are you on Windows?

[InfoDevPro]

I'm on Windows 10. I'm guessing you're not on Windows?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I have not had any major issues with 2019. I've also had issues with moving the program window between my 4K monitors and my 1080 monitor, but nothing major.

My system--all up to date:

Windows 10

     64 GB RAM

     512 SSD for OS and Apps

     3 4-TB drives for cache and storage

InDesign 2019

GPU Nvidia GTX 1070 (updated drivers independently from OS updates)

On my MacBook Pro, I did disable the GPU acceleration.

[InfoDevPro]

Wow! That's a powerful setup. Just curious... is it a desktop?

And thanks for your input!