Adobe Photoshop CS4

Adobe Photoshop CS4 does more than the casual user needs to do, but reviews say it's by far the best photo-editing software for graphics pros on PCs and Macs. For existing users, reviewers say upgrading from Photoshop CS3 to CS4 is well worth it for the improvements, as long as your computer has enough processing power and memory to handle it. Reports say the latest version is also a little easier to use. As the ultimate photo-editing software in the well-recommended Adobe line, Photoshop CS4 is well integrated with Lightroom 2 (*est. $275), which speeds image processing. Lightroom 2 is also powerful enough on its own that some pros use it instead of Photoshop for most of their photo-editing needs. Experts also say that Adobe Photoshop CS4 is overkill for all but graphics professionals and dedicated enthusiasts, adding that Adobe Photoshop Elements (*est. $80) is a better choice for typical users. Elements 7 is the current version for Windows users; Mac users continue to rely on the also well-reviewed Elements 6.

We found the best reviews of Adobe Photoshop CS4 at PC Magazine, CNet.com and Popular Photography. All have also reviewed earlier versions of the software, but for current Photoshop users considering whether or not to upgrade to CS4, Uwe Steinmueller's review at DigitalOutbackPhoto.com does the best job in highlighting main changes. Only a handful of users have reviewed Photoshop CS4 at Amazon.com.