The title is pretty self explanatory, but this is some pretty big news. For the first time in 18 years, Autodesk is offering a version of AutoCAD for Mac OS computers. Not only will CAD aficionados be able to run AutoCAD on their MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iMacs, Mac Pros, and even Mac Minis, but they will even be able to view and edit AutoCAD drawings on their mobile devices such as the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch! Yes, it has been possible since 2006 (when Apple switched to an Intel-based processor) for consumers to run Autodesk programs normally only available in Windows on a Mac via Bootcamp, Parallels, or some other virtual machine, but the fact that users were willing to make these efforts in order to run Autodesk software on their Macs leads into one of the 10 reasons why AutoCAD on a Mac just makes sense.

1. The first reason a native AutoCAD application in a Mac environment works is because of all the Apple fans out there. Love their products or not, you have to admit there are some pretty big Apple fanboys that will purchase anything manufactured with a fruit logo on it. Phone, music player, and portable multimedia device? Check. Laptops, workstations, and mini computers? Check. Backup storage and TV accessory? Check. I’m pretty sure if Apple made toasters, they would sell a million of them in the first weekend.

2. Reason #2 stems from item #1. There is undoubtedly a huge following for Apple within the Autodesk world already, otherwise they wouldn’t have put forth the effort to research and develop this software. It is more than just an assumption, though. Log on to any Autodesk related forum or discussion group and you’ll find at least a few threads about running the software on a Mac. The same goes on Mac forums about running Autodesk software on there hardware. People have been feverishly installing and running AutoCAD, Revit, and the AutoCAD vertical software on Macs over the last few years in whatever way they could possibly find.

3. Apple’s hardware is gorgeous. Some argue their systems are too expensive given the internals they employ, but you’ll be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t think their products are esthetically pleasant. Now combine beautiful hardware with architects, engineers, and other CAD professionals that in-arguably have an appreciation for well designed products and you’ve suddenly found the sweet spot of Apple’s target audience.

4. There are going to be different features available for AutoCAD on the Mac than on Windows. Okay, so this is both good and bad. The Mac version of AutoCAD will lose some features and that is never a good things. Without knowing exactly what those features will be, though, I’d be willing to go out on a limb and say the new Mac-only options will far outweigh the losses. I’ve got 3 words for you: Multi-touch Graphic Interface. It is in my honest opinion that this alone will be reason for many to adopt AutoCAD on Mac OS X.

5. Apple has gained a legitimate percentage of the PC market to validate Autodesk (and many other companies that have historically ignored Macs) exploring and developing products specifically for it. For far too long, Apple was simply too small to warrant the time and expense necessary for some companies to see any substantial return on their investment. Apple still only has about 4% market saturation in desktop and mobile PCs, but it has been on a rising trend for quite some time. A trend that doesn’t appear to be lifting any time soon. This isn’t just the theme for individual consumers either, as corporate and government purchases of Apple products has been rising dramatically as well.

6. Autodesk has been doing their due diligence on this software. The information Autodesk is releasing about AutoCAD for Mac OS X revolves around their Sledgehammer Preview, which is in it’s 3rd phase of Beta testing. For anyone familiar with Autodesk’s testing cycles, one could deduce this is pretty early on for a 3rd beta. This is all speculation, of course, as I haven’t beta tested any Autodesk product on a Mac and am not familiar with how long they have been doing so.

7. This will get plenty of coverage by the press, twitter, and bloggers alike (as I’m sure you’ve already seen and are currently reading!). If there is anything to be said about Apple is that any company on the face of this planet should be so lucky to get the instant flood of coverage and fanfare. That said, there will surely be detractors and naysayers to the need for AutoCAD natively on a Mac or there being any benefit to the Mac version. That crowd could be in the right, but that won’t be enough to stifle the roar of the Apple news freight train.

8. This isn’t the first software Autodesk has offered on a Mac. No, I’m not talking about applications from 1992. Autodesk has for a long time and still currently offers many programs native on Mac OS. Software such as Autodesk Alias, Maya, Mudbox, and Stitcher make up some of the products already on tap within the Mac environment. Adding AutoCAD to this list is much needed and opens the door for many more products in the future. It’s easy to envision, at a minimum, the AutoCAD vertical software such as Civil 3D and AutoCAD Architecture becoming available natively on a Mac in the near future.

9. AutoCAD WS. How can AutoCAD become more portable? Autodesk answer is by offering on the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch through iOS. I’ll argue, as I think many would, there won’t be much merit in viewing and editing AutoCAD drawings on a device as small as the iPhone or iPod Touch. However, the iPad just screams to be used as an drawing viewer/editor. Would it be the most efficient and productive way to get your CAD work done or to knock out that next detail sheet or demolition plan? Definitely not. It would be a very convenient way to get some quick edits knocked out while on a flight or during a bus ride. Also, in my role as an Application Expert and trainer on Autodesk products, I can very quickly see myself and others utilizing AutoCAD and other Autodesk software on an iPad during a class in order to be extremely mobile around a training room and still constantly connected to a projector via WiFi or Bluetooth. Don’t forget that Autodesk already has had a lot of success with Sketchbook Pro as an app for the iPhone and iPad. Also, don’t discount the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch’s hardware being able to handle CAD software. As more and more applications are moving to the cloud or SaaS, they hardware will merely need to be a “window” into the application from the web.

10. Did I mention that AutoCAD WS is going to be available for FREE! That’s right. You’ll be able to download and use AutoCAD WS on your iOS devices to view and edit AutoCAD Drawings for FREE! That sets a pretty low cost of entry point, doesn’t it?

Bonus: AutoCAD for Mac will be able to fully utilize all standard AutoCAD .dwg files. That means whether you’ve been drafting in AutoCAD 2011 or still have some R.14 files sitting around, they’ll all work on AutoCAD within Apple Mac OS and iOS. This is something that should have been expected for AutoCAD on a Mac to have any level of success, but it is definitely worth mentioning.

11. I have a lot more thoughts rolling around in my head about what other reasons AutoCAD software on Mac OS X and iOS products will be successful, but I want to know what your ideas are. Aside from what I’ve already mentioned, what will motivate you to go Mac for your next CAD purchase? What about all this makes you want to scream bloody murder that Apple sucks? What are you hoping for or expecting out of this new AutoCAD software that will be distanced from Windows versions in at least a few ways? Please comment below and get the discussion going!