CorelDRAW Essentials 2 [Drawing and Photo-enhancing Made Easy] Description:

CorelDRAW Essentials 2 [Drawing and Photo-enhancing Made Easy] review:
1 stars (Essentially a Waste of Money) - I was a regular user of CorelDraw 8 for Windows 98 on my older computer. When I bought a new machine, Draw 8 would not work with Windows XP, so I needed a newer program to access and edit my .cdr files. I called Corel Corp. in Canada who assured me that Essentials contained basically everything in CorelDraw 11 (and therefore my version 8). After receiving the program, I found it to be a severely stripped down program, missing most of the essential components of the earlier programs. It is really frustrating when so many of the useful features are "grayed out" or just plain missing. Save your money and avoid this one.
5 stars (Good for less) - A very good alternative to the complete software package. This slim version is more than enough for home and small office needs: labels, brochures and other printing material.
2 stars (What Gives! The Original Essentials Version is better than version 2 ) - I have been using Corel Essentials, the white with horizontal blue green box (original version) for quite some time, I decide to upgrade to the "newest version 2". So, I fork out $80 plus shipping. Got it 5 days later; I installed the software, all looks good... then I start using it, standard features from version one are GONE!

There are no upgrade gimmicks or download this or that, they were just simply removed - my most used features!



Unacceptable, I contacted customer support, they were very polite and helpful but recommended for my imaging needs to regress to Corel Essentials, the Original software I had as the new "one omits many features" the second version just does not cut it.



I am just bit dissapointed in the company but though (and give credit where is due) Corel Essentials is so far the Best I have used so I can and wont beat them up too much in their effort to sell less in a "new & not much improved" new box. (every corporation does this - from cereal to soap)

My advise, stick with the original Essentials version and save a bunch of money.