Why is Acrobat XI not Included in Creative Suite CS6?

[gzhtub]

Our company has just purchased Creative Suite CS6, eLearning Suite CS6, & multiple copies of the Technical Communications Suite V4 (just released). None of these expensive packages include the new Acrobat XI, not even the Std version. In addition, PhotoShop has been removed from TCS V4, where it belongs. I see this as a callous marketing policy by Adobe to force companies to buy multiple product suites, or at least extra (expensive) essential programs (or be stuck with legacy programs). Even the so-called Master Suite CS6 does not include items in TCS. When you add the incredible cost of EU versions of Adobe products wrt to US prices, it is no wonder that customers are moving away from Adobe, or at least not upgrading as often as they used to.

[Bill12]

I do not have an answer, but Acrobat always seems to be delayed in the entry into these suites. It is probably worth noting when the various releases are made in the future and not purchase a suite just before the release of a product like AAXI. AA is released about every 2 years.

[dave_m_k · Accepted solution]

Good day gzhtub,

Acrobat XI was announced today, but still hasn't shipped.  The ship date is still a few weeks out.  That said, CS6 will not include Acrobat XI.  However, Creative Cloud subscribers will have access to Acrobat XI if they would like to install it.  Per the Acrobat XI FAQ:

Which version of Acrobat is available in the Adobe Creative Suite® editions?

Creative Suite 6 and CS5.5 editions include Acrobat X Pro. Acrobat XI Pro is available through Adobe Creative Cloud™, which provides access to the latest versions of Creative Suite applications on a membership basis.

I can understand your concerns as it relates to the TCS products and the Master Collection.  The best way to influence change on that front is to provide feedback directly to the product teams via the Feature Request form.

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

-David

[Shaun_Pollitt]

I just started a new job last December. The company purchased CS5.5 Master Collection for me then about 6 months later they purchased the CS6 Master Collection upgrade. That, I don't have an issue with at all. The $200 upgrade for AA this soon after purchasing the CS6 Master Collection, that's ridiculous. I'd agree with the $200 price tag if I was upgrading from CS5.5 or earlier but to charge that much for a program that I just bought for the second time in less than a year, not going to happen.

[DarrenFMc]

I have just received Master Suite CS6 from Adobe. ( Last Friday ) and this is after Acrobat Xl was released, but X is still on there.

Surely I should be entitled to a free upgrade to Xl ?

[nnlyM]

Agreed.  This marketing approach really sucks.  $3600 in software purchases (CS5.5 and CS6) in the last two years, and I get the same old version of Acrobat with the second one?  Pay $199 for an upgrade to XI or pay $29.00 a month for cloud membership?  You've got to be kidding. 

[Bill12]

As I mentioned, that will likely continue to be the case. The same issue came up when AAX was released. Follow David's suggstions to provide feedback (Feature Request Form).

[ordensbruda]

This is a kick in the ass of faithful customers.

I'm using Adobe products now for decades and get more and more frustrated about the treatment from a "service" company that Adobe should be.

We're not using your products as toys - they are tools to work and earn money with.

As a user of the Creative Suite I can't unterstand, why there is NO economically senseful solution for long term customers to upgrade their Suites with the new Acrobat XI.

Yes - I'm earning money with your products, but not so much, that I can throw it out of the window.

Please - do more for your faithful customers. I know a lot of companies that are gnashing their teeth about your behaviour. That dissatisfaction increases continuously. As a service company I needsatisfied customers and so do you.

Offer a free or paid upgrade for existing Creative Suite customers but to give us NO possibility to upgrade is a slap in the face.

[FUJILIVES]

Agreed, I just purchased CS6 as well, I expected Acrobat XI to be included since I saw the note about it being part of "creative cloud" as well.  I just assumed the software would include a download link for the XI version... What is going on lately Adobe?  I'm all for the new model if you start supporting old versions better, but that doesn't mean you should completely abandon the business model you've used successfully for many years!

[Guest]

Same here, just upgraded (at full upgrade price) CS6 Design/Web PREMIUM @work just weeks ago. And now I'm given NO discounted Acrobat upgrade option other than "tough, fill out a feature request!?"

It looks to me like another effort on Adobe's part to force the use of the cloud service and its monthly fees.

Same thing @home with CS6 MC - at least back when CS6 came out I got the option to upgade to CS5.5 and get a free bump to CS6 whan it came out (which I did). There should be a similar offer on the Acrobat XI update...

[gzhtub]

Agreed, it is unacceptable for Adobe to say "Complete a Form" that we will ignore anyway. I considered buying the Master Suite, but it cleverly does not have products like FrameMaker & RoboHelp in it, another Adobe ploy to get customers to buy multiple suites I imagine, just like the removal of PhotoShop from the Technical Communications Suite. If Adobe are reading this thread, it should be clear that Marketing policies are currently upsetting a lot of customers. On a similar note I would like to protest the very exepsnive pricing of Adobe products outside the US. The upgrade price in Europe is often the same as the full price in the US - why?

[SkyJester]

I read your opinions shortly after you posted them as I was considering upgrading my CS5.5 Master Suite. My decision was to wait and hope until I retired from Broadcast Television and Freelance Print.  Now I'm once again facing the decision to upgrade my CS 5.5 Master Suite or surrender.  Today I'm curious which format you're currently using and anyone else who faced this decision 4 years ago.   

Adobe never intended to investigate what the Market would bare as it's a standard Government/Business practice to allow customers to vent.  This allows the embers of fury to fade, rather than flame.  I do understand their reasoning while my feelings remain the same as a 16 year Loyal User.  They have become an invaluable tool for Professionals and Enthusiasts alike which means their profits can increase in spite of Customer loss.  I get it... but I still don't like being forced to choose. 

Question... would anyone else love to see the results if they offered both the current format and the same applications in a boxed or downloaded version today?

WIth Respect,

Michael Murphy

[Test Screen Name]

I'm curious what you are considering upgrading from CS 5.5 _to_?

There is CS6 - a product, like CS 5.5 which is out of support and starting to creak. Which includes a version of Acrobat similarly out of support. Don't honestly see why you would bother. Or there is Creative Cloud. Whose disadvantage is pricing model not appealing/possible to some.

[DarrenFMc]

And, to add insult to injury, when you purchase a CS6 suite, you will get in the post a lamenated transparent envelope posted priority, with "Introducing the New Acrobat XI. PROBLEMS SOLVED!" as the title.

I thought this would be a free upograde link, but no it is simply telling me where to buy the latest version.

Also, there is no point putting in a feedback request to correct this issue as everyone knows, who has been dealing with Adobe for years, that Adobe do not and have never listened to individuals concerns. Adobe are only influenced by Corporate decisions and behind the scenes agreements. This always explains the strange changes to products over the years that have no value to individual users.

[mavericka007]

Just wanted to add to this forum that Acrobat XI is not that great. Kind of buggy. So I went out of my way to get CS6 Acrobat X today!

[Guest]

Hi All,

I have installed Adobe creative suite 6 version in some machines, so the CS package (photoshop, illustrator, indesign, acrobat X ) installed the machines,

Also I have separately installed Adobe Acrobat X pro in some machines, so when I am generating the reports based on Acrobat X pro installed machines list , the Adobe creative suite (acrobat ) installed machines also shown the total counts,

How can I separate the Adobe creative suite machine from the reports?

Thanks,

Nagaraj.