Adobe today formally announced the upcoming launch of new-generation, dual-platform versions of most of its key creative applications. These CS3-family Mac and Windows products are being sold individually and in money-saving bundles but, as usual, the prices that Adobe expects UK purchasers to pay are massively more than it's asking in the USA - whether for bundles or individual apps.
We're going to concentrate here on pricing, and let you discover for yourselves about all the good new stuff by checking out these three press releases:
Adobe Reveals Creative Suite 3 Production
Premium
Adobe Device Central CS3 Mobilises Creative Pros
Adobe Delivers Two Editions of Photoshop CS3
Adobe Device Central CS3 Mobilises Creative Pros
Adobe Delivers Two Editions of Photoshop CS3
So, let's start at the very top with the Creative Suite 3 Master Collection. The UK estimated street price, including VAT at 17.5 per cent, is £1,969, while the US figure (ex-VAT of course) is $2,499 - the equivalent of £1,271. Add VAT to the pound equivalent and the figure rises to £1,493 - and it won't be hard for you to work out that UK purchasers are expected to pay an extra £476, over a third more.
For Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, the UK price is £1,409 and the US price is just US$1,799 - equivalent to £915. Adding VAT gets you to £1,075 - yet UK purchasers are expected to pay £334 more, proportionately more even than with the Master Collection.
For Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium, the UK price of £1,195 compares to $1,599 (equivalent to £814). Adding VAT gets you to £956 - yet UK purchasers are expected to pay an extra £239, a hike of about 25 per cent.
Adobe's new flagship product is Photoshop CS3 Extended. The UK pre-order price is £887.12, compared to $999 in the USA. Add VAT to the pound equivalent (£508) brings it to £597, so UK purchasers are expected to pay almost half as much again - an extra £290 compared to the USA.
Why are UK purchasers expected to pay so much more? We don't know but we plan to ask Adobe tonight at the press launch of the new CS3 family and let you know what the company says, if anything.
Update - March 27, 11:40pm
No one there that we
thought appropriate to ask, so we're going to try by email.
How do you feel about all this. Is it a blatant rip off or is there some valid reason for the pricing differential? Let us know in the HEXUS.community.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this articleHEXUS.lifestyle - press releases :: Adobe Reveals Creative Suite 3 Production Premium
HEXUS.lifestyle - press releases :: Adobe Device Central CS3 Mobilises Creative Pros
HEXUS.lifestyle - press releases :: Adobe Delivers Two Editions of Photoshop CS3
HEXUS.lifestyle - news :: Adobe still ripping off EU buyers?
External.links
Adobe UK Store - home page.Adobe UK - home page
Adobe UK - Creative Suite home page
Adobe USA home page
