This is kind of an exciting year for major software releases. First, Windows Vista is out. Later this year, Apple will release it’s latest operating system.
For designers, the new Adobe Creative Suite 3 will be out, probably before Summer. (Actually, more info is going to be released about the next Suite on March 27th.)
The reason I bring this up is because you may want to hold off on some software purchases.
For example, if you’ve been thinking of buying the current Adobe CS2 in the next few weeks, you may want to wait until CS3 comes out if possible. No point in getting used to CS2 – and spending money on it – only to feel the need to upgrade to the new CS3 a few months later. (And from what I’m reading, CS3 is going to be worth the wait.)
Also, if you own, say, Photoshop and you’re thinking of buying some plug-ins for it, again you may want to wait since some plug-ins may not work on the upcoming Photoshop, assuming you plan to upgrade. You want to make sure the plug-in makers are going to make your favorite plug-ins compatible with the design tools you use.
Those of you who have upgraded operating systems in the past know the challenges of getting all of your old software and hardware to work on a new operating system. So it usually pays to plan upgrades as best you can and ensure the software you need will still work. (And that the operating system you choose is stable.)
It’s hard to recommend to people what they should buy without knowing a lot about them and their goals, but I will say this: If you are totally new to design and don’t have ties to any type of software or operating system at this point, hold out until Apple releases their next OS (Leopard, I think) and then get Adobe Creative Suite 3 and a new Apple computer. (I use an iMac.)
With the Apple computer and OS, you’ll get a solid system. With CS3, you’ll get virtually a complete design studio with on software purchase. (Learning to put it to good use is up to you.) Yes, the whole thing will be pricey…Apple computers aren’t inexpensive nor is any Adobe Suite.
But I’ve got PCs and Apples and just about every design software that’s popular. If I had to strip it down to the bare minimum, I’d go with Apple and the Adobe Suite and be confident that I could run a successful design business.