Wondering is anyone can help me with this question…. I want to upgrade my PS 5.0 LE to the latest version CS3. When I call adobe the upgrade price for the version I have it’s $549, but any other version 7.0 or higher is only $199. Is there truly a difference in the contents of the upgrade or is adobe charging more because my version just older and costed less?? I just want to purchase the CS3 upgrade for $199 but I’m afraid it won’t work even though my gut feeling is that it will. Does anyone have an answer for me??
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Adobe’s current upgrade policy for Photoshop (you can read it in detail on the Adobe Store’s pages) says that v7.x is the oldest version of Photoshop you can use to to upgrade to CS3.0. Your PS 5.0LE is not only two versions older, but it is a "crippled" app. "LE" stands for "Limited Edition" meaning that it does not have the full functionality of v5; and certainly not v7. If you were to purchase just the $199 upgrade, you will not be able to get it to work as it depends upon a valid v7 or later serial number.
Also, it’s occurred to me that you did not detail to us which computer or operating system you are using. Or how much RAM or free hard drive space you have. Before you spend a nickel, let’s go over that as well.
Here are Photoshop’s system requirements. But be aware that even if you work on small images and don’t keep a number of apps or operations open or active, these are absolutely barebones minimum (particularly RAM, hard disk space and monitor resolution) and do not provide for a very good Photoshop experience.
Macintosh
PowerPC® G4 or G5 or multicore Intel processor Mac OS X v10.4.8-10.5 (Leopard) 512MB of RAM 64MB of video RAM 2GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation) 1,024×768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card DVD-ROM drive QuickTime 7 software required for multimedia features Internet or phone connection required for product activation
I just bought a new imac. Intel core, 2gb hard disk space, OS 10.5.4. Ironically, I meet the requirements, but I don’t really want to upgrade, I’m being forced to do it. As you can see, my system requires CS3 versions. I used to own a graphic design business but I no longer do, I just want the programs for myself for fun stuff. The new versions of these programs are going to overwhelm me and I truly don’t have to time to learn them, I have a full time art business that I need to focus on. And now it looks as if I have to spend about $750 to update my photoshop and Illustrator if I want to use them ever again (if I can even figure them out!)
Does anyone know what the student cost of PS CS3 is?? I’m actually signing up for a fine art class hopefully this fall.
Buko makes a point: Photoshop Elements 6 is a powerful consumer product that has many of the features of full-tilt Photoshop. If you don’t need to do work for print reproduction, it may be what you’re looking for. I’ve seen it for under $90.
Having recently gone through an episode of frustration, anger and general malaise dealing with Photoshop Elements 6 for a little over three weeks, I must repeat that I would not normally recommend it to anyone even if it were freeware. However, since Michelle is coming from an LE edition, she just may find it suitable. I can’t put myself in her situation. :/
Neil already points out Elements is not suitable for print reproduction. I would categorically add that it’s not usable either if you are a photographer shooting RAW. I kind of forget for what other purpose(s) folks buy Photoshop oh, yeah, there’s that web thing
It might be my bias of coming from years of using Photoshop, but I find Photoshop Elements interface extremely annoying and unintuitive. Drives me nuts trying to use it. If there is any way for you to purchase an Academic version of Photoshop CS3 (about 1/2 price of retail), I’d recommend that over Elements.
WOW Thanks for all of your advice! I LOVE this forum, it’s more helpful than everything else I’ve tried. What I didn’t mention is that I worked 4 years with photoshop 7 on my old computer which was a PC/Dell, before that I worked 8 years in photoshop on my mac (don’t remember which versions, 6.0??). I purchased photoshop 5.0 LE to get by until I could afford to buy a newer version, I don’t do graphic design any more so I thought I could get by with the 5.0 LE. I just wanted it for photo alteration/re-touching/saving photos for my website. I have not even tried the 5.0 because as you know I can’t load it. It sounds like if I’ve been working on 7.0 (I know it backwards!) I won’t like the Elements 6?? I downloaded the trial and I can’t open it, VERY frustrating! It’s hard to explain, there’s not really an icon that shows "application" I tried downloading it twice and the same thing happened, I literally can’t open it.
I’m not sure what to do because I feel like the CS3 is overkill for what I’d use it for (and expensive). The cheapest I found the upgrade from 5.0LE was $466. Yet, I don’t want to be annoyed with elements 6 either.
Can any of you compare Elements 6 it to photoshop 7 ??
Elements is not all bad. Not everyone tries it with such high expectations as Ramón and for many users it is all they will ever want.
Not everyone shoots thousands of raw images at a time and needs to process them in the full ACR software. For those of us who grew to love the quirky user interface of Photoshop (are you listening Mr Nack?) the interface of Elements is strange and unaccustomed. I have found however that a lot of the "Take you by the hand" features can be bypassed and the program is excellent for what it is!
As far as printing is concerned, if prints are to be done on the desktop or ordered on line, the lack of CMYK and all it entails, will not be noticed.
The key advantage to upgrading (crossgrading) from PS v7 as Ann suggests is that this is your BEST opportunity to get a current Photoshop on your system for a substantial saving. Call ’em and ask!
Learn how to optimize Photoshop for maximum speed, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your projects organized so that you can work faster than ever before!
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