Shop for graphics and publishing

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: This update should be worthwhile for security-minded businesses and creative firms. With Acrobat 9, Adobe brings new Web relevance to print-ready PDFs by enabling embedded video and animation. Forms, security, and overall ease of use are also enhanced. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 or later, 1.3 GHz, 9, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.3 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 35 reviews

The Bottom Line: If Apple irons out the kinks, MobileMe could be worthwhile for iLife and iPhone users who want to keep data on their Macs, handset, iPod Touch, as well as Outlook mail and calendars on the same page. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 29 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple iLife '08 is a fine, affordable media-editing suite that should keep beginners and hobbyists happy when managing pictures, videos, songs, and podcasts, but those seeking to fine-tune movies should look elsewhere. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, DVD-ROM, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 70 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're an advanced photographer and don't have Photoshop yet or if you need natural paint tools, version 7.0 is a must-have; otherwise, version 6.0 will do the trick. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP2, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 7.0, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Graphics card, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: This update should be worthwhile for security-minded businesses and creative firms. With Acrobat 9, Adobe brings new Web relevance to print-ready PDFs by enabling embedded video and animation. Forms, security, and overall ease of use are also enhanced. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 or later, 1.3 GHz, 9, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.3 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The professional's choice for image editing spawns Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended to appeal to select vertical markets, but it delivers mixed results. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 64MB video memory, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Windows, QuickTime 7.0 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Microsoft Expression Web is a solid Web site layout program that replaces FrontPage and offers tools for dynamic designs, although we'd like more help for newbies. Read review

Specs: License, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later, Intel Pentium 700, 700 MHz, SVGA monitor, Intel Pentium 700, 700 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: With its streamlined tools, enhanced nondestructive editing capabilities, and better performance, Adobe Photoshop CS3 will look very attractive to almost any user. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, DVD-ROM, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Adobe has improved the speed of Flash and its integration with other CS3 apps, although flashy new features are few. Plus, Flash now works natively on Intel-based Macs. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, DVD-ROM, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Xeon, Intel Core Duo, PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: For composing long PDF packages at an office that requires security and wants to use the new digital forms, Acrobat's got the goods, but it's overkill if you only seek to make short PDF files. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2, 8.0, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: Final Cut Studio 2 is a solid value and worthy upgrade for serious film editors who work on Macs. However, hobbyists should consider simpler software. Read review

Specs: 1 seat, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.9, 1.25 GHz, 2, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.25 GHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1.6 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're a professional or ambitious amateur digital artist, we highly recommend Adobe Photoshop CS2. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, CD-ROM, Internet connection, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: This update should be worthwhile for security-minded businesses and creative firms. With Acrobat 9, Adobe brings new Web relevance to print-ready PDFs by enabling embedded video and animation. Forms, security, and overall ease of use are also enhanced. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 or later, 1.3 GHz, 9, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.3 GHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 6.0

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: CorelDraw Graphics Suite X3 is a powerful and feature-rich bundle appropriate for home, business, and professional graphics. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, 600 MHz, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, 600 MHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The professional's choice for image editing spawns Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended to appeal to select vertical markets, but it delivers mixed results. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 64MB video memory, Internet connection, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X, Microsoft Windows XP, 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP 1500+ or higher 1.3 GHz, 2.8 GHz, 7, DVD-ROM, Sound card, XGA monitor, 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP 1500+ or higher, 1.3 GHz, 2.8 GHz, MacOS, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good
• Average user rating: 0.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Roxio continues to improve a strong suite and keep Toast current with the release of version 8. If the Mac OS and Apple's bundled apps don't meet your disc-creation needs, pick up Toast at once. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 8, CD-R, DVD-R, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1 or later

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 1.6 GHz, 12, DVD-ROM, DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card, DirectX 9.0 compatible graphics card, 3D accelerator card with 64MB of memory, 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 1.6 GHz, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Final Cut Express HD is Apple's first affordable high-end video application to include the HDV standard. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 500 MHz, 500 MHz, MacOS

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 28 reviews

The Bottom Line: Photoshop CS remains the choice for professional image editing, and it's worth the upgrade, although some new features could be better implemented. Read review

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, Windows

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 1 review