Home > Consumer Reviews > Adobe Photoshop CS Upgrade (Windows)

I too was up in arms about the introduction of activation and had decided not to purchase the product as I have two PCs in my home and I never know for sure when I will get kicked off one or the other by my kids. However, I decided to buy the product when I discovered that you can install and activate two copies. Here's the reference from Adobe's web site:

Q: Can I activate Photoshop CS software on more than one computer?

A: The activation process supports installation on two machines. Adobe's Product License Agreement allows a user to install the product on a primary and a secondary computer as long as the product is not being used concurrently on the two machines. While the activation process supports installing and activation Photoshop CS on two machines, the usage of the product on the secondary computer is restricted to the main user who licensed the software. Allowing others to use Adobe software on a secondary computer violates the Product License Agreement.

I think some folks who posted here are assuming you can only activate once based their comments.

As for the software, I continue to be amazed at its features. I'm using it mainly to restore old family photos. I've been using the Photoshop 7 Classroom in a Book as I'm a newbie to Photoshop so I can't speak specifically to new features added in CS (hence the 4-star rating).

My finger was on the button, ready to order this latest Adobe upgrade and then I read the reveiws. I bought Photoshop 4.0 and have upgraded at each step through Photoshop 7.0. Each of the CS reveiws either appologizes or complains about the registration and /or securiity traps that are now built into Photoshop CS. I have been there and done that with Microsoft XP Pro. This is where I part company with Adobe. I am not going to buy a product and have to beg the manufacturer for permission to use it. Adios Adobe

I love the combined raw converter, although some improvements would be nice its a good start. The highlight/shadow recovery tool can work wonders and even makes already good pictures better. I love the added B&W filters.... they make for some nice effects. Personally I had no trouble with automatic registration.... worked flawlessly. Check the features of the upgrade and if you'll use them... then the decision is easy... I am already very happy with it!

I was just about to buy the software when I read the reviews and the fact that adobe has started using an activation scheme where your limited to one pc per install. Well I use my laptop as well to edit files with photoshop and what happens if your hard drive crashes? Do you have to beg for another install. I think it's time to just say NO to any product with activation.

For the big companies you can expect activation to be part of the package. Microsoft, Adobe, Macromedia all do it now. They have a lot to lose and if this is one way to get more folks to pay instead of passing one paid for disk around, well, it works.

As for the product, I have loaded the 30 day trial and in about 15 days will purchase the upgrade. I like what I have played with so far and the filters are nice. I made some posterized pics out of a bad photo to check it out and was truly amazed.

Don't let activation be the stopping point. If you need the program, get it.