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Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional

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Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional

Pros
  • Excellent handling of PDFs
  • First-rate tools for graphics
  • Plenty of templates
Cons
  • Printed manual costs extra
  • Manual overly technical
  • Some duplex printing glitches
  • Windows only
 
 
Where to Buy
 
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March 2009. Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional is edging out Microsoft Publisher 2007 (*est. $150) as the best desktop publishing software for home and small business users. It costs much less and includes tools for handling text and graphics that Publisher lacks. Though one review says the PagePlus X3 manual (print version costs $15) has a bit too much jargon, reviewers agree that the software is easy to use. It handles PDFs and color separations well -- even matching Pantone colors -- so it's useful for projects you plan to send to commercial printers as well as for projects to print yourself. If your focus is on fun projects for home use, and you don't mind a less efficient program, consider the less expensive Broderbund Print Shop 23 Deluxe (*est. $35).

We found the best comparison review of Serif PagePlux X3 Publisher Professional at PC World Australia, where it's rated and ranked in relation to three other desktop publishing software titles. An earlier review at a U.K. site, PC Advisor, compares PagePlus X3 with two other major programs. We also found detailed single-product reviews from About.com's desktop publishing guide and at ComputerActive, another U.K. site. The handful of user-written reviews and ratings at Amazon.com are also useful in evaluating PagePlus X3. The comparisons of desktop publishing software at TopTenReviews.com are outdated, but still provide some useful information.

Where To Buy
 
 
PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional

 (33 reviews)
Buy new: $99.99   8 Used & new from $40.99

In Stock.

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. PC Advisor

This U.K. review compares Serif PagePlus X3 with Microsoft Publisher and Adobe InDesign, judging PagePlus the winner for all but the most complex publishing tasks. The review praises PagePlus X3 for easy editing of PDFs plus excellent tools for graphics -- including the new Logo Studio and a tool for cutting out backgrounds.

Review: Serif PagePlus X3 Review, Tom Gorham, June 2008

2. About.com

Jacci Howard Bear, the desktop publishing guide at About.com, calls Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional "a powerful alternative to pricier desktop publishing software options," praising many of its features after hands-on testing. However, printing on both sides of the paper doesn't always work perfectly. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional, Jacci Howard Bear

3. Computer Active

Serif PagePlus X3 earns a recommendation for home and small-business users, with special praise for ease of use plus improvements in handling photos and other graphics. The only drawback is that the manual uses some technical jargon.

Review: Review: Serif PagePlus X3 Desktop Publishing Software, Cliff Joseph, June 2008

4. Amazon.com

At the time of our report, all seven users reviewing Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional at Amazon.com award it high ratings and glowing praise, especially for the background-cutout tool, PDF handling and ease of use. Several users like PagePlus X3 better than Microsoft Publisher.

Review: Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Mar. 2009

5. TopTenReviews.com

This review, though dated 2009, covers an earlier version of PagePlus that lacks some of the improvements added to the X3 version. However, the review notes that even this version of PagePlus makes it easy to format a book, and includes excellent text tools.

Review: Serif PagePlus 10.0.4, Editors of TopTenReviews.com

6. Software Editorial

This review gives Serif PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional top ratings for features, ease of use and value, without noting any drawbacks at all. The reviewer also notes that it works well on a Mac running Windows.

Review: PagePlus X3 Publisher Professional, Mike Hubbartt

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