Attached Link: http://www.curiouslabs.com/

Before you seriously consider Poser 5, you might want to look at your computer hardware to see if it is up to the task. Generally speaking, and older computer might be challenged. That alone could convince you to buy Poser 4. I've provided the link to the Curious Labs web site where you can read the product descriptions and come up with your own conclusions. Poser Pro Pack is only of interest if you have very specific needs. I would hazard a guess that the newbie won't see any need for Poser Pro Pack. I didn't and still don't. Now, if you're a techno-geek like me, you might find Poser 5 of interest. I just had to have it myself. However, after a few weeks or months, I find myself using Poser 4 more and ignoring Poser 5. Some of that is due to my older computer. I really would need to buy a newer computer to make Poser 5 more practical. The other reason is the learning difficulty posed by an unhelpful manual, and the apparent lack of the type of tutorials that would demystify some of the more compiicated Poser 5 features. I will admit I can be a slow learner at times.