which PSE?

[whatnext]

hiya. i got a new computer yesterday. i chickened out and got another HP... Ah, well. anyway. it will not allow me to install my good old PSE 4. So, i guess i'll have to buy a more current version. from your experiemce, which one should i get? it seems that there are certain versions that are "better" than others. i'm not in the mood for a large learning curve, so the edition that isn't too crazy with massive changes and new stuff that doesn't work reliably would be nice. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[geekgirl415]

I use PSE 6 and could see a considerable advantage to that version over the PSE 4 I had previously. Mostly the fact that it can run actions and that has made me very happy! But I also think you're always best to get the most recent version possible (except for betas). I don't know how different PSE 8 is from 6, so maybe someone will chime in with that.

ps/ i'm sorry you chickened out! i think it's a huge leap of faith going from hp to apple and it would be hard for me too- old dog/new tricks kinda thing...

[maureenreynolds]

I went from PSE4 to 6 when it came out for Mac. That was a big nice leap but easier to use since almost all the guides then were showing PSE6 since the Windows version had been out for some time. I was only learning PSE then so my curve was just the initial plain old learning curve - which I'm still on.

I think I would also say go for 8 unless you want to save $$. Amazon has 6 for <$40. However, almost all the designers are working in 8 and more and more guides are showing 8 and that's $60 with a rebate. I suspect there will be a 9 or 10 next year and that is the one I'm going to wait for - Mac version tho. hth

[digigrandma]

Phylis, I recently upgraded from PSE 4.0 to PSE 8.0 (Mac versions) and I am so glad I did. It is a huge improvement in my opinion.

I think both Sara Horton and Lynn Weber (grandma Lynnie) have recommended 8.0 for both Macs and PC's.

[ptknox]

Phylis, I tend to upgrade when Adobe introduces a new version of PSE because I want to be sure I am using the current version when I prepare my classes and tutorials. I held out on 8 for awhile because I wasn't sure that it offered much more than 7. Actually, I'm still not sure that I would advise anyone using 7 to scrap to upgrade ... but in your case I'd definitely say go for the newest version. The ability to easily load actions is a nice feature (keeping in mind that not all PS actions CAN run in PSE however) and that pesky "drag from the bin" issue is gone now.

[Steph]

I have PSE 5 and everyone that I've talked to about PSE 8 loves it so I think I'm going with 8, too!

[dorah]

I have PSE7 but if I were getting a new computer I would definitely go for the PSE8.

[whatnext]

thank you all! looks like #8 wins. so.if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know what i'm doing. the old dog is trying to learn the new trick!

[hendon]

I just upgraded from PSE5 to PSE8. I haven't yet tried out any new features, but just wanted to let you know that what I have used so far pretty much runs the same so I don't think you'll have any trouble with huge learning curves . I also went MAC at the same time ... and that's what I call a learning curve ... but I'm loving it now.

[arimacias]

i'll get 8 when i upgrade the puter. for now 6 is working fine on my old macbook

[emfullante]

I just went from PSE 5 to PSE 8 and so far, I love it!!

[maureenreynolds]

I really agree with all the suggestions. Like a new marriage, a new computer deserves a new bed/(software platform)!

[readstoomuch]

Originally Posted by hendon

I just upgraded from PSE5 to PSE8. I haven't yet tried out any new features, but just wanted to let you know that what I have used so far pretty much runs the same so I don't think you'll have any trouble with huge learning curves . I also went MAC at the same time ... and that's what I call a learning curve ... but I'm loving it now.

Ditto . . . I can't tell much difference between 5 and 8 other than the background is black with 8 (I don't love that, but can live with it)! I also went with a new Mac at the same time.