Adobe Systems Inc. Illustration

The Bottom Line: While Adobe Illustrator CS4's most compelling new feature--pseudo-multipage support--can be frustrating to use, overall it makes CS4 a worthwhile upgrade for current users.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G4 1 GHz, PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 2 GHz or faster (Windows), PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel multicore (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Best for coding and design pros, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 is perhaps the sharpest, swiftest tool for developing and editing dynamic Web sites.

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 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore 1 GHz, PowerPC G5 (Mac), DVD-ROM, Internet connection, 1280 x 800 monitor resolution, 1 GHz or faster (Windows), Intel Multicore, PowerPC G5 (Mac), 1 GHz, Windows

The Bottom Line: Vector graphics buffs will find this Illustrator upgrade worthwhile, especially to work with SVG-t art for mobile devices.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP3, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, Internet connection, Windows

The Bottom Line: InDesign CS2 speeds the creation of complex pages, further challenging market leader QuarkXPress. Translating a print page design directly to a Web format is always problematic, but InDesign CS2 can get you close.

Specs: Media, Apple MacOS X 10.2.8 - 10.3.8, 4.0, CD-ROM, XGA monitor, MacOS, QuickTime 6.0

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

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

The Bottom Line: Great for anyone who wants to jump straight into Flash animation without becoming an expert in or needing the benefits of advanced scripting or complex interactivity.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP4, 100 MB, Pentium II, 48 MB, 1.0, CD-ROM, Pentium II, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.2.8 - 10.3.8, CD-ROM, Internet connection, MacOS, QuickTime 6.0

Specs: 1 user, License, 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, 280 MB, Pentium III, 128 MB, 7.0, SVGA monitor, Graphics card, Pentium III, Windows

Specs: 1 user, Upgrade package, Apple MacOS 8.5 or later, 125 MB, 64 MB, 6.0, CD-ROM

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 2.0, CD-ROM, SVGA monitor, MacOS, Windows