Question: Buy Only Photoshop CS6 or Whole Suite

Question

I presently have the entire CS5 Design Suite. I mainly use Photoshop. Sometimes Illustrator and sometimes Acrobat. Don't use Dreamweaver at all. Should I just upgrade my Photoshop Extended to CS6 or should I consider buying the whole suite? Any advantages to having the whole suite that would justify the extra expense?

Answer 1

You mentioned: I mainly use Photoshop. Sometimes Illustrator and sometimes Acrobat. Don't use Dreamweaver at all.
Since you are a student I assume you bought the Creative Suite to learn skills to help in getting a job after graduation.
Do you think that employers are looking for individuals that just "mainly use Photoshop"?
Sorry, but these days employers are looking for people with a wider spectrum of skills.
Positions that were formerly printing jobs now also want people with web skills.
Web jobs also want some familiarity with print production.
And with the move towards ePubs and Digital Publishing solutions there are demands that people learn yet another skill set.
In the job market you will be competing for jobs with people that have a wider range of skills.
If you were an employer, would you be more likely to consider an applicant that mainly has experience in one application, or would you choose an applicant that could list a half dozen applications that they were comfortable using?
I know that your question was just about upgrading to CS6; and considering that you are a student, money is probably a bit tight, don't forget that as a student you can take advantage of greatly reduced prices for Adobe products. Most people would love to be able to buy Adobe products at the prices that you at the moment have access to. Even if you don't upgrade to CS6 you will still have the ability to use CS5 even after you graduate.
But expanding your skill sets to become a more highly desirable applicant in the job market is paramount.
As a student, now is the time to learn these. Go beyond what your courses teach you; experiment, try different things. Seek out information. These forums are great for learning new things.
Get out of your comfort zone. If you have the whole Creative Suite you already have the tools. You just have to expend some time (and electrons)
GOOD LUCK!