Adobe Systems Inc. Desktop publishing

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.

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

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.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32/64 bits), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32/64 bits), 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

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.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, 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

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.

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

The Bottom Line: Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional is a comprehensive application that's necessary for publishing documents that can be read on any platform.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.3, Apple MacOS X 10.2.8, 7.0, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, MacOS

The Bottom Line: Businesses that publish plenty and want a quick way to turn paper docs into PDF files or assemble catalogs from databases should turn to PageMaker.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP5 or later, 175 MB, Intel Pentium, 32 MB, 7.0, CD-ROM, Mouse or compatible device, Intel Pentium, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 9, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 9, MacOS

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista Business SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, 1.5 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1.5 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.5 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1.5 GHz, Windows, QuickTime 7.x

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.8, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, Internet connection, MacOS, QuickTime 7.0 or later