I went over what the offers entail... but come away with the definite feeling that this isn't a "rent to own" type deal, rather pay to use, with no ownership at the end.

I think the former option would have been smart to offer, if tough to implement.

Instead, you're faced with a "start all over" at the end of the subscription. A decreasing subscription fee for repeat subscribers would have been a good marketing tool. 

This might be an option for folks using the heck out of it every day, probably not for the more casual user. Not really sure this will boost their business much.... but then Ps might not be the right tool for more casual users. 

Maybe, if they offered a "progressive" range of pay for features it might improve things...

I'm interested in hearing what folks think about this. Interesting article, I.D. Thanks.  

I agree with it's a rent not to own type deal. I totally understand the cost of the products are high and if a person can't afford it I totally understand. If anyone  is just going to use one of these palns they maigh as well put that amount of money away each month and long before the 12 months is up they will be able to purchase it and then own it.

I really can't see a good reason to rent their software. Photoshop isn't learned overnight so if you rent it and spend the first six months or more learning it where does one benifit. If you decide after a year that you really want to continue to use it because it's great, which it is, what do you do now? Continue to rent or purchase it because you already lost a boat load of money renting it for the year.

I say wait till you have the money to purchase and go out and get it. Just my opinion and thoughts.

To continuously shell out money 'just' to use it. Hell no. My PS7 may be out of date but it works and its mine ... as in belongs to me. Pay once and be done with it. Its just another, what were they used to be called .... shill games. Get the person to spend the money and then charge them more for the 'service'. Adobe can fashizzleituptheirbutts.

I wouldn't Rent it..

Maybe they should let RENT-A-CENTER sell it too even though I still would not do that too cause you would end up paying Double PLUS..

the rent-a-center was a joke though ..

Get somebody else to buy it for you........ that's what I did........

I'm surprised they just don't do a cloud based deal.

Good idea. Hey Uncle Sam. Will you buy me Adobe's CS5 Ultimate. Its only $1200.00 US. you can afford it. If you can buy a toilet mockup for four grand I'm sure you can do this. Or $100,000.00 for the history of the comic book. Twelve hundred is pocket change in comparison.

Absolutely the most idiotic idea I have seen of late! 

Actually there are several reasons to rent the software when you think about it:

- You will always have the latest version, no upgrade charges or having to re-purchase if you switch operating platforms (like going from XP to Windows 7 or moving to a Mac platform)

- You can rent it on a project by project basis as needed for just the tools you'll use

- You can BILL IT OUT to a client on a project basis for just the tools you used on that project and point to a real cost to your business.

Now, will this be a plan for everyone? No, but for some it will be a good option.

     I can see businesses using it for presentations, web page devs and such but for the average user, like skinners and others who just want to have fun with graphics, it wouldn't be worth it. I use to do electronics as a hobby. Had tons of fun doing it too. Then I went to work in a clock factory building digital time systems. That too was fun, for awhile, but when you have to make deadlines and sometimes rush a job, well ... the fun goes out the window real quick. Same with Photoshop. Everything I do in Photoshop I have fun with. I love working with graphics and doing the apps for the community project plus the WB's ...... heaven should be that good. But now they want to do these subs and if you want the high end stuff you got to pay as you go. Not to say that you can't buy it but the price ....... way out of my league. Plus there's no real savings. In the long run you wind up paying more than the app is worth. IMO 

Of course not. But for non-professionals there are free (and quite powerful) alternatives, such as GIMP you can use as well. I don't really see that Photoshop was ever INTENDED to be targetted at casual or infrequent users. It is intended to be and priced as a professional tool for graphics professionals. It's business software after all.

     I understand the business aspect. But for a program that powerful and yes Photoshop is, to be offered up by subscription really doesn't make sense unless you're into the professional part of it. A true deal for the nonprofessional would be to allow them to pay over time like you would for a car or some other high end product. So what if there would be interest attached to it. That palls in comparison to the actual worth of the app. Offer the average consumer incentives such as putting CS5 by itself up for a sale price. Then if they want throw in the extras for a reduced price. Think about it. Photoshop 7 is ten years old and they still sell it for $699.00. Ten years and its still the same price as it was when it first came out? Please. That's more ripoff than anything else.

     The Gimp is an open source Photoshop clone. Does just about everything PS does and its a freebie. I have the Gimp, latest release, but I haven't used it much as I'm stuck on PS ever since I got it. I've also got Paint Shop Pro. That too is pretty darn powerful and to some far better than Photoshop and less expensive. Point is if Adobe really wants to grab up more of the market they need to rethink their approach to more than just the professional end of things. Put Photoshop within easy reach of the average consumer and watch the sales go through the proverbial roof. IMO