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

It should be pointed out somewhere that Mac users don't have the same activation issue that Windows people do. On the Mac, you install it and you're done. And it zips right along. I was a beta tester for this version, as well as every previous one since PS 4, and I really like it a lot.

I have read that Adobe will allow activation on two computers. However, when I tried to activate the software a second time on my laptop it wouldn't go through. My computer kept freezing up on me. I'm running Windows XP on my main machine as well as my laptop, so I wouldn't think there would be an issue. This proves that Adobe's activation process isn't as painless as they would like you to believe.

"I wonder what kind of jerk-around the people at Adobe will give me when I try to do this and re-activate the software"

None, as your license (you did read the EULA didn't you?) allows for two installations, one on a dekstop and one on a notebook. As long as you don't use them at the same time you'll be fine.

First of all, this is an great upgrade. I purchased the CS Pro package and I have to say that Adobe has created something really special here. About the activation, it went fine and smooth. I had absolutely no problem with it. In fact, I didn't even notice it beyond telling the software to go for it.

I do support Adobe's effort to control illegal distribution of their software.

The software itself is amazing. The new features actually speed up your daily work flow and are features that the users will really put into practice. And the way that all of the software interacts with each other isn't hype. They really do what Adobe claims they do.

Overall I am incredibly pleased with the purchase and would recommend it highly to everyone.

For those who are having performance problems with the software, I can only assume that they didn't read the recommended system requirements. XP of course, but I can't see this software running smoothly with less than 512 meg of fast memory. A gig is great. And with the price of memory so low now, that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

So, great software and a great upgrade with great new features. And if you REALLY DO support Adobe's right to protect their software, the activation is absolutely a non issue.

I'm awarding 2 stars on the strength of the negative reviews in this space and that Adobe has adopted the use of "activation".

* I've been searching hard for an honest-gosh 48 bit graphics program, but Photoshop --even "CS", appears to be 24 bits with 48 bit features. I can get by with the basic 48 bit histogram editing capability of Photoshop-5, after which I convert to selected 24 bit content and switch to another brand (Jasc PSP-8 or Mgfx PPub in versions 3.1 and 8). It would be nice to be able to do it all in one program, however, converting to 24 bits at the end (if needed for the output).

Check it out: Picture Man 5 from "Stoik" sounds great, but I don't want to risk my credit card or depend on an outfit in Moscow (Russia) for support. (My e-mail to them bounced.)


Craig