Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: ADBE) is actually over 25 years old.  Founded in 1982 as a company which produced and sold the PostScript page description language (which Apple licensed for its LaserWriter printers), it is today most well known for its free PDF reader and PhotoShop.

Since its launch, Adobe Systems has expanded far beyond what page description language programs.  While Adobe Reader is probably their most downloaded program (after all, it’s free!), many serious graphic designers swear by Adobe Creative Suite.  Many feel that its programs are superior to anything else out there, as it allows them to easily create and edit images. 

There are several versions of Creative Suite, each packaged for different purposes.  The current version of Creative Suite is CS4, which was launched in October.  The standard version of its Design edition (non-web) includes: PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat Pro.  There is also a premium version, which includes some web applications such as DreamWeaver, the web design program. 

One note about Adobe’s programs is that they are very expensive compared to other design programs.  Creative Suite 4 (CS4), for example, costs an overwhelming $1,399 US.  Individual Adobe programs are expensive as well, many charging over $200.  One can purchase an entire suite of Microsoft products for that price.  Some MS products are actually free – Adobe Acrobat, which creates PDF files costs $299 for a standard edition while one can download Microsoft’s PDF creator at no cost.  Of course, many do say that you get what you pay for – and they believe that Adobe’s products are superior.  In reality, Adobe does not have much equivalent competition, which means that it basically has a monopoly over graphic design -its closest competitors, Corel and Quark, do not have nearly as much selection in their suites.

On Tuesday, December 23, Adobe Systems Incorporated opened at 21.11 and closed at 20.97.  Its 52-week high was 46.44 and its low was 19.49.