ID:276610
 
I went to Best Buy to get Adobe Photoshop CS2, but all they had was Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0/4.0, and Paint Shop Pro X. Well I was wondering if I get Elements if I'd still be able to make as good of graphics for banners, title screens, and hub icons as I could with CS2. So, in other words are they about the same?
Elements is pretty stripped-back and has been made "user friendly" (in other words, they dumbed it down). It still works for most purposes, though.

Unless you really need the features of the full version, I'd say go with Elements. It's much cheaper.
GIMP works great, a bit of a learning curve, but you cannot beat the level of control it gives you. If you are like me, and rather like being able to go pixel by pixel if needed, GIMP is the way to go. Oh ya, and incase you didn't know, GIMP is free! Check out the GIMPShop variant for the most user friendly version for Windows.
In response to Crispy
"I'd say go with Elements. It's much cheaper."

I went to Best Buy to get Elements, and they had CS2 there so I got it. It cost the same as Elements. (Both $149.99)
In response to Digital Samurai
*blinks* They're selling it for what? At the online Adobe store, Photoshop CS2 costs $649 USD, and Elements can be got for as low as $89.99.

That's insane. You woulda got ripped off if you'd chosen Elements, though. =P
In response to Crispy
I'm almost certain he probably bought the upgrade. Which is completely useless without a previous version of Photoshop installed. Hope it's still returnable if that's the case!

Elements is fine for just about anyone who isn't making a living designing graphics for print. It should retail for no more than $99, and can be had for less. Considering all the Photoshop features it does have, it's a bargain at that price.
In response to Mike H
Ah. That would explain it!