I just unboxed and installed Adobe Photoshop CS4, so I’m ready to offer some first impressions on the PC version.

Speed

Photoshop CS4 seems a lot faster than previous versions. There are many things that frustrated me in CS3 that no longer are present. In CS3, it was kind of clunky when you wanted to drag a window outside of the main Photoshop window, but in CS4 it’s quick and fluid like you would expect.

Another performance boost that I noticed is the menu system. The menus in Photoshop are huge, due to the insane amount of filters and features they provide, so it’s easy to see why the menu system could be a bit sluggish. Right away, I noticed that the menus load immediately, and the application launches a lot quicker.

Keep reading for more on the new CS4.

Gadgetell Quick Review: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

What is it?

Lightroom 2 is a program for Windows and Mac OS X designed to help organize, streamline, and develop your photos. It costs $99 for the upgrade from Lightroom 1 or $299 for first time buyers.

Pros:

Easy to use thanks to clean and organized interface.Imports all of your files using your preexisting directory structure.Works with a wide variety of file formats.

Cons:

Does not allow pixel editing. Requires another program for that task.Initial use can be frustrating and can cause loss of work.

Does it hit the mark?

Yes. Lightroom 2 definitely lived up to all of my expectations. It’s easy to see that this program would be extremely popular with anyone working in the art or ad industry, or someone who does batch work with photos. The program allows for very controlled editing and is remarkably easy to use.

For the full review, click “More.”