I think the academic version is simply sold at a reduced price.
It is the same programme but cheaper - its a great hook for big companies like Adobe. It is also great for students as it leaves them with more money for drinks in the bar!!

I would check with the college the actually version they are currently using - CS2, CS3 or CS4 and either buy that version or buy the latest CS4 and save you documents as an exchange file that you can then open at college.

The question to be asked isn't whether you are looking at CS2, 3 or 4. Whether student or pro you are only going to get CS4 from Adobe. While you might find an older version out there, be sure it is a legit package.

The real question is whether you are looking at Graphic Design, Web design or Video production design. There are 6 different versions of the Suite with varying program inclusions. Check here:
http://www.adobe.com/education/produ...suite/compare/

Yeah, I need to get Design Premium and it's CS4 that they want us to get. Most of my stuff is saved as CS3 so there wont be as many problems compared to saving, say, as CS or CS2.

I think the real question is what version their offering. They have one that theyre offering for $850 through their bookstore. Now call me a pessimist or paranoid or just plain smart, but for some reason I keep thinking that the bookstore they have at the university isnt exactly the best place to buy this kind of stuff price wise.

That being said, maybe it's the only place I can get the academic version? Not sure.

The real kicker is finding out what the difference is between the academic version and the student version. If this 850$ version is the reduced price full version (academic version) then maybe it's a good deal? But what would justify buying this full version compared to buying the much cheaper student version? I'm hearing that there isnt much difference except you can only load it on one computer and they just trust that you wont use it to make any money commercially.

Northernsoul,

There is no real difference in the Design Premium versions. The academic versions are intended for academic use and allow students and faculty (both who need to pinch their pennies) to afford the product. On the splash screen, when you first launch the application, it will say Educational Version. For some, this may seam embarrassing if a client were to see this. Also, like I said, Adobe intends that their academic versions to be for academic use—not for professional use. But there are no physical limitations or restrictions in the final file produced and is fully compatible with the full, Pro version (there is no working difference).

That said, I have heard rumors that with the academic versions, you may not be notified about and be able use all of the latest updates of the version (CS3 or CS4, not academic vs non-academic) in use. But I have not noticed any issues with mine (I had the student version of CS2).

The difference in the academic versions (student vs teacher) besides price is the licensing. As a student you can only buy one copy of a product and only have it installed on one computer. With the teacher edition, you can buy volume licensing if you want. Most of us don't need multiple copies. Plus, with either versions you need to be able to provide proof of your standing (student or teacher). If you're not a teacher then you can't get that version—it cost more than the student version.

The BIG difference between the academic versions and the non-academic versions is the ability to upgrade to CS5 (or whatever it will be called). If you're a student, you could just buy another student version. But at some point, you won't be a student any more and when you want to upgrade, you'll have to buy the non-academic version at full price. After that, you'll be able to buy at the upgrade price.

One final thing, $850 is way too much for an academic version. You can download direct from Adobe for $599.00 for the teacher edition and $399.00 for student. This is for the Design Premium. Go to https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/sto...&store=OLS-EDU You will have to provide proof of your academic standing.

The link got cut off for the student version. Here you go.

https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/sto...-EDU&loc=en_us

It did it again. It's a long address so I guess there's a limit here in the forum. When you follow the link, after the page loads go to the far right column and click on Higher Ed Students and that will take you to the $399.00 pricing for the Design Premium.

There is no fundamental difference between the full and academic versions.
The difference lies in the licensing. In the US, the academic version can be used for professional paying work. In the UK it can't.
Also, the academic version usually doesn't have all the fonts and templates that come with the full version. Everything else works though.
You cannot upgrade a student version to another student version. If you buy CS4, when CS5 comes out, you pay full upgrade price.
You cannot sell or transfer the license of a student version (beware of online scams or people who don't know any better.)

Here is the link to the North American Student License FAQ.
http://www.adobe.com/education/stude...ition/faq.html
Read "How can I use my software..."

Hey, thanks so much for the insight.
I guess the big drawback is the not being able to upgrade when Adobe Creative Suite Final comes out next. I think I can live with that because industry always takes awhile to catch up anyways. I hardly know anybody that uses all of CS4 yet anyways. Hell, I know some people that are still using real old versions for some programs.

Anyways, some great info there and I see no reason why I couldnt get the student version, even if the 850$ is for a nicely discounted fully licensed version I dont see myself getting it, and if I do I'm thinking that my NEW JOB (heh) will pay for it.

I think I've decided now. Student version it is.

Thanks!

PS to Jodabu: Your link works, the forum software just shortens it, kind of like tinyurl does.

To garricks,

Yeah I tested it and the link isn't broken, but it takes you to the $599 pricing page instead of the $399 student page I was trying to link to. I guess it's an Adobe thing. :-\

Thanks Driver for finding that FAQ link, major help. I'm still getting the student version, looks like a great deal.

Now I'm just wondering what will happen when I try to load the software I buy on top of the trials I have running at the moment.

To PrintDriver,

Thanks for the North American Student License FAQ. It clears up many things, including being able to upgrade to the commercial version–which I didn't think you could do sense they don't list that option on their upgrade eligibility page. But just to be nit-picky, no where does it say that you cannot buy a new student version (not being able to buy the student version of CS4 if you own CS2). All it says is "Each eligible person may purchase only one copy per Adobe Student Edition. For example, a student may purchase only one copy of Creative Suite 4 Design Premium Student Edition." It's the "per...Student Edition" that leaves me to believe that you can buy a student version of CS3 and CS4. I'm sure Adobe doesn't want someone to keep buying student versions over and over again, but it doesn't specifically state that.

Anyway, I'm splitting hairs. Not trying to start trouble, just food for thought. I think if someone is going to be a professional in this business, then when the next upgrade comes out and that person has a need for such an upgrade, then they should just upgrade to the commercial version anyway. Like I said, you won't be a student for ever.

Northernsoul,

That's a good question and I'll give you my thoughts—but don't take it as fact as I have not tried.

Like I said, the splash screens are different (the student version will say Educational Version). The Trial doesn't say trial, just version (whatever the number, i.e. InDesign CS4 says version 6). It's the full version with a 30-day time limit. So the Educational Version is technically a different version (although, as we have discussed it's really not). So my guess is you'll end up with two versions on your computer. Of course the trial will be useless after 30 days, unless you buy the activation code. So, after 30 days , if you buy the student version, you can just delete the trial.

Be careful deleting the trial. If you are going to delete something Adobe, I'd do it before loading your new software:
1. look in the Adobe folder in the Applications folder on your hard drive.
2. look for a file named Uninstall CS3,4,whatever
3. Follow the instructions in that folder very carefully.
If you do this after loading the student version, you may delete some necessary mechanics that make the suite run.