if you want inexpensive... but PS quality.. use Photoshop elements.... has most fo the great tools and FX... just not as much on the filters and such... and as for PS8... just because you read it on a website.. doesnt mean its true... Adobe now offers a 6month in advance preorder... and guess what... PS8 isnt available yet... sorry to burst every1s bubble... but from my point of view its a rumor right now... and considering i work for a very popular college here in fl.. in the multimedia department... and the head director hasnt hear a thing about it.... its still at least within 6months from now... but once again.. just my opnion.. but dotn get your hopes up... call adobe if you doubt me... theyll tell you the same thing..... "We offer a 6 month Preorder on all of our new releases, PS8 is not one of them" this is dejavue... caus ei remember havign this convo with sum1 in the PS forum 2 weeks ago or so.... he was bablign about Illustraor 11 and indesign3 all comign otu at teh same time.... dunno... well see... ps i dont believe it till its on the adobe website... =P