pstephens5980
As I understand the offer if I buy the SONAR4Life ($199--I have Platinum and Rolling Updates now), when Cakewalk replaces Platinum I automatically get that DAW and any subsequent replacement including associated updates, etc. As nothing is forever, I want to pin down how far SONAR4Life takes me in terms of subsequent DAWs whose ancestral lineage is Platinum. 

Please see this sticky: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Lifetime-Updates-and-SONAR-OS-X-Alpha-m3429473.aspx
 
TL/DR: What happens if the product name SONAR Platinum were to change to something like SONAR Mercury, would lifetime updates still apply? 
If you purchased lifetime updates for SONAR Platinum, you will get lifetime updates for SONAR Platinum. If we change the name of SONAR Platinum, you will get lifetime updates to the newly named version. It's as simple as that.

LittleStudios
I would highly recommend extending the Lifetime offer.  Clearly many people would buy into it, but as is often true, current financial situations may be the inhibiting factor.  I for one would buy into it, just can't do it before the offer ends.  It's a no-brainer.

There are various places and ways to buy it now and make payments on the total purchase.  Or sign up for a 0% interest credit card, etc.  
 
They have provided 3 entire months to figure out options.  
 
Not trying to belittle the financial situation, but there are options even for those that can't muster up the full amount now.  

Let's do the math ... Sonar Lifetime $169.00 at AudioDeluxe, average credit card rate per Bankrate is ~16% ...
 
$169 on credit card at 16% APR for 12 months = $15.33 per month.
 
$169 on credit card at 16% APR for 6 months = $29.50 per month.
 
$169 on credit card at 16% APR for 3 months = $57.84 per month.

I went with PayPal Credit and got it for 6 months interest free.

When will the Mac version ship?

So, now that I've upgraded to Platinum from Professional, I see that Professional is a separate install on my machine.  Do I need to keep Professional installed or can I remove it?
 
Thanks

While it does not take much disk span (less than 500MB) you may remove it. You will probably need to rerun the main Platinum installer if you do. If it really bothered me, I would follow the clean install instruction for Professional AND Platinum http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013392/SONAR-2015-Clean-Install-Instructions, skipping the final install of Professional

I wonder if Lifetime Updates are covering Mac version too?

tzzsmk
I wonder if Lifetime Updates are covering Mac version too?

This is a quote from the FAQ:  
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Lifetime-Updates-and-SONAR-OS-X-Alpha-m3429473.aspx
 
I own SONAR Platinum, Professional, or Artist today. If and when SONAR becomes commercially available on OS X, will I need to purchase a new license?
No. You will be provided a new installer for your license of SONAR Artist, Professional, or Platinum. You do not need to purchase a new license.
 
 
I think it is safe to interpret this as "yes"

I'm in! Now I need to worry about my cholesterol levels to get my money's worth. 
 
Thank you, Cakewalk/Sonar for making this option available!