Upgrade from version 2 to 4 worthwhile?

[shivers]

I am currently using Elements 2 on windows. I had planned to upgrade to version 4 but came across some negative reviews.

Basically, they said that it was sluggish to start and took about 5 mins to load a raw file. I have just recently bought a new computer and I have an AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ and 1GB RAM. Should I have any problems?

thanks

Shivers

[Norm F]

I find that it can take a minute or so to load the organizer but I've only got 512 Mgs of Ram. 5 minutes to load a raw file? Rubbish. Maybe 20-30 seconds. I entered the PSE market with version 4 and have little to compare it to but I find it pretty good.

Some of the others can speak to the differences between 2 and 4. I'm sure you'll get a good idea as to whether or not an upgrade would be worth the money.

Good luck.

[Karin Sue]

There is some discussion about 4 and AMD processors over on the adobe elements forum:

http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx?128@459.qpLhfdbz4P5.52@.3bbd8fc4

You might want to check it out to see if anything there applies to you.

[Daviskw]

Hello Shivers

I have no experience with PE2. I started with PE then went to PE3 and now to PE4 so I can only tell you my experience with load speed between 3 and 4. On my computer PE4 loads at the same speed and on occasion a little faster. At least loading to the editor anyway.

There are a few new toys in PE4 but they are mostly unused by me and from what I can tell by a lot of other users as well. I like PE3 because I can use some actions and there are add-ons like curves. That capability was programmed out of PE4.

Bottom line both 3 and 4 are good and worth the upgrade.

Butch

[Wendy]

Hi shivers ...

I was wondering where you were as I haven't seen you around for a while :)

PSE2 doesn't have the Organiser so with the later versions you will find that a major difference.

PSE3 ... added on the Organiser and PSE4 ... removed the Filebrowser.

Very mixed reviews about the filebrowser removal it means you use the Organiser as a sort of filebrowser and with some people it hasn't proved popular..

Major differences between PSE3 and PSE4 were changes to the Organiser which ironed out some of the problems ... and as Butch said it took away the ability to use some of the add on tools :(

Speed wise PSE3 is slower to load than PSE2 ... (Being a Mac user I don't know about PSE4 ... but I would imagine that it is slower too)

I still prefer the PSE2 interface but PSE3 does give you more things (like the healing brush).

Try downloading a demo version of PSE4 and see what you think :) ...


Wendy

[shivers]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all you replies. Adobe's website advertises downloads for elements 4 (windows) but when you press on the link you get an error page.

Any of the other popular download sites just offer a link to purchase it.Does anybody know a site where I can download a trial version of elements 4 for windows? (I need to try it because there could be problems with elements 4 clashing with my AMD Athlon processor)

CNET Downloads offers a 30 day trial of elements 3 and to purchase it sets you back $99 which seems a bit expensive considering you can buy version 4 for the same price or cheaper.

So for now I am still deciding ....................

Thanks

Shivers

[Wendy]

Hi Shivers ...

I think that they may have been doing some work on the site (adding the Mac demo dowmload) ... I just checked this windows download link and it seems to be working now :)


http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/download.jsp?ftpID=3105


Wendy

[Vesta]

Shivers



I downladed mine and I have AMD Adthlon processor 1.3DHz from this site. Most of the problem I have is with the organizer but it is not a lot. I am questioning about buying PSE4. I have just a few weeks left.

Here is the site:http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp#product=40

I hope it works for you. It does taqke about 2hrs 15 minutes to load on a fast connection.
Vesta

[shivers]

Wendy & Vesta,

Thanks for your help. I tried both links which ultimately lead to a login page. When I completed that I was directed to an error page (can not find server).

I will check back with the site over the next few days to see if it has been rectified.

Thanks again

Shivers

[Wendy]

Hi Shivers ...

Sounds like the problem with the login page ... it didn't affect me as I stay logged in to Adobe pages so was able to go straight to the download.

Hopefully they will fix it pretty soon :)

Wendy

[Vesta]

I did the same Wendy, went right to the downlaod.

Vesta