Best desktop publishing software for home Serif PagePlus Starter Edition *Est. $0
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Adobe InDesign CS4

Discontinued

Pros

Professional capabilities
Efficient
Mac version available
Integrates with Photoshop, Dreamweaver

Cons

Steep learning curve
Overkill for many users
Improvements from CS3 not huge

Where to Buy

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March 2009. Reviews say that for professional desktop publishing, Adobe InDesign CS4 is more convenient than its main competitor, QuarkXpress 8. Adobe InDesign offers sophisticated typography and page layout tools for creating commercial projects such as books, magazines and newspapers, and it integrates well with Dreamweaver for website publishing. Control over professional printing is also excellent. The main drawback, besides the price, is the steep learning curve -- though reviewers say that this pays off in the long run. For most home and small-business users, reviews say InDesign is overkill, recommending Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional (*est. $90) as much easier to use, and much less expensive.

We found the most balanced, critical reviews of Adobe InDesign CS4 at PC World Australia and at Computer Shopper. Stephen Beale's review at How Design compares this latest version of InDesign with the latest version of QuarkXpress. At PC World, Galen Gruman compares the two briefly but focuses more on whether or not CS4 is worth the upgrade from CS3. The reviews at PC Magazine, The Graphic Mac and CreativePro.com are less critical, but still quite useful.

Where To Buy

Adobe InDesign CS4 [OLD VERSION]
(1 reviews) Buy new: $699.00

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Our Sources

1. PC World (Australia)

Adobe InDesign CS4 gets a full, detailed review here, with a rating of four stars on a five-point scale -- a bit under that of the less expensive Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional. Though the CS4 update adds several tools that save time, the reviewer is disappointed that the Flash and color-management tools are limited.

Review: Adobe InDesign CS4, Neil Bennett, Jan. 2009

2. Computer Shopper

This full review of Adobe InDesign CS4 calls it "varied and useful," but criticizes it for some awkward usability (especially with long documents) and a poor manual. Several new features earn praise, especially the "live preflight" function that checks for errors as you work.

Review: Adobe InDesign CS4, Susan Glinert, Dec. 2008

3. How Design

This head-to-head comparison of Adobe InDesign CS4 and QuarkXpress 8 concludes that the latter is worth the upgrade for QuarkXpress fans. However, Adobe InDesign is "a 21st century publishing tool" that has pulled ahead of QuarkXpress while still being easier to use.

Review: InDesign CS4 vs. QuarkXPress 8, Stephen Beale, Dec. 2008

4. PC World Details/Subscribe

This extremely detailed review of Adobe InDesign CS4 compares it favorably with QuarkXpress 8, but concludes that it's not a "must have" upgrade for users of InDesign CS3. (The same author also reviews InDesign CS4 at PC Advisor and at Macworld.)

Review: InDesign CS4, Galen Gruman, Oct. 2008

5. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

Adobe InDesign CS4 earns an Editors' Choice award, with a rating of 4.5 or "very good." The review is very brief, highlighting advantages of the CS4 version without any criticisms or comparisons with other software.

Review: Adobe InDesign CS4, Galen Fott, Nov. 17, 2008

6. The Graphic Mac

This hands-on review tests Adobe InDesign CS4 on a Mac, finding it fast, easy to use and worth the upgrade.

Review: InDesign CS4 First Look, James Dempsey, Sep. 2008

7. CreativePro.com

This well-illustrated review highlights improvements in the latest version of Adobe Indesign that professionals will appreciate, but notes no drawbacks.

Review: First Looks: InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop CS4, Jeremy Schultz, Sep. 2008

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