Digital Home Thoughts: Adobe's Creative Suite 2 Premium Reviewed

Product Category: Design Software
Manufacturer: Adobe
Where to Buy: Pricegrabber Low Price Search
Price: $1,052.90 to $1,225.32 USD
System Requirements: Intel® Pentium® III or 4 processor; Microsoft® Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 4, or Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 2; 384MB of RAM to run any one creative application with Adobe® Bridge and Version Cue® Workspace; Additional RAM required to run multiple applications simultaneously (512MB to 1GB recommended); 3GB of available hard-disk space to install all applications (installation of common files requires at least 1GB on primary hard disk); 1,024x768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card (24-bit screen display recommended); CD-ROM drive; For Adobe PostScript® printers: PostScript Level 2 or PostScript 3™; Internet or phone connection required for product activation; QuickTime 6.5 required for multimedia features; Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos and additional services.

Pros:

• All the tools you need in one package;
  
• Interconnected via Bridge;
  
• Provides great tutorials (and additional third party help is available).

Cons:

• Price;
  
• Heavy system requirements;
  
• Steep learning curve.

Summary:
As an artistic geek, I've always been interested in design - especially via electronic devices. The Adobe product line has always been just slightly out of my monetary reach, always tempting but never acquired. Because of this, I would hobble together several types of tools to accomplish the same tasks (and with great results). Well, the opportunity to use this great tool finally came to pass, but I still had some reservations. I know how to use the tools I have, but how long would it take to adapt to this all-encompassing package of design nirvana? Would it really be worth the hefty price tag to have a single solution available at my fingertips? Is the Adobe product line really all it is made out to be?

Read on for the full review!