Transferring Adobe CS3 from Macbook to Macbook Pro

Question

I am upgrading my current MacBook to a MacBook Pro and I had a few questions about transferring my current software. At a Apple retail location, I was told that there was some way I could transfer my copy of Adobe CS3 to the new computer without using the disc (I don't have it anymore), by deactivating my account online and then reactivating it on the new computer, or something along those lines. I was wondering if anyone knew the exact process, or if it is even possible without the disc.
Also, does anyone know if MS Office will just transfer with Migration Assistant, or do I need to deactivate it too somehow?

Answer 1

You're asking two separate questions here: how to handle the install, and how to handle the deactivation/activation.
I always do my (current release) Adobe installs from the trial version downloads available on their website. You can just download the dmg files and install a full (non-crippled except for the 30-day restriction) version of the product. That's probably the least complicated route to take assuming you have a decent internet connection.
Regarding activation, if you only want the new computer's copy of your Adobe apps to be activated , you can deactivate them on the old computer by going to Help -> Deactivate (I'd recommend this if you're going to sell it). You may wish to wait until you have a working install on your new computer to do this though, and Adobe's CS3 EULA allows you to do this.
Adobe doesn't go out of its way to publicize it, but their EULA explicitly allows the activation and use of the software on multiple computers of the same owner. Direct quote from the Photoshop CS3 EULA (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/eula/photoshopcs3.html):
2.4 Portable or Home Computer Use. Subject to the important restrictions set forth in Section 2.5 below, the primary user of the Computer on which the Software is installed (“Primary User”) may install a second copy of the Software for his or her exclusive use on either a portable Computer or a Computer located at his or her home, provided that the Software on the portable or home Computer is not used at the same time as the Software on the primary Computer. You may be required to contact Adobe in order to make a second copy.
I personally take advantage of this clause to run some CS3 apps non-simultanously using a single serial number on both my desktop (Mac Pro) and my laptop (Macbook Pro). I didn't have to contact Adobe. I just installed from the trial download, went to Help -> Activate, and entered my serial number.