CS+Intuos 2 vs. CS3+Intuos 3 - worth it?

[Burtzum]

I'm running Photoshop CS and using an Intuos 2. Would it be worth it to upgrade to CS3 and Intuos 3?

I know Intuos 3 has more sensitivity. Is it really noticeable/helpful? Any other benefits over Intuos 2?

I have no idea what changes have occurred really when it comes to CS vs CS3. I know they've changed some of the programs that come in the bundle. But I'm cheap so I'd just get Photoshop by itself if I were to upgrade. I read theres some new brushes. You can integrate 3D and video and other stuff I don't care about. Is it any faster/better at dealing with high resolutions with tons of layers? Any real advantages to upgrading?

Trying to figure out what to ask for for xmas. :^^:

[Elwell]

Any real advantages to upgrading?

I think it's only a must-have upgrade if you're on an Intel Mac.

[el coro]

the intuos 3 has those buttons and touch strips on the top sides which you can assign hotkeys. i have them set to increase the brush size as i slide my finger across it, as well as a ctrlz button, zoom in/out, tab, f, ect...allof which i have totaly gotten addicted to. very very nice features in my opinion. cs3 is basically cs2 with a few more things, but as far as digital painting goes, theres not much new really. if i had to choose, id say cs2 and an intous 3 is the way to go. good luck.-c36

[Burtzum]

I'm actually still on CS1. I've seen on the Massiveblack school web page, as well as recommended progs for the workshops that CS2 is always recommended as the minimum version of Photoshop. Now here also. Whats CS2 have that CS1 lacks?

Those buttons on the Intuos 3 would be nice I guess. I hate having to have my keyboard pulled out just enough to reach the keys. A lot to pay for a little convenience though. I could also use an upgrade from my 10 year old CRT monitor. Or my 5 year old computer. And I'd like to have zbrush to fool around with. Ugh. Decisions decisions.

[Jabo]

As for CS3, there's a really huge performance-increase when you're on a new Mac, compared to CS2. I can increase/decrease brush-sizes almost without lag, really

coro: Did you have problems yet with the hotkeys being reset from time to time? I literally can't use the hotkeys and touchstrips as their mapping is reset almost every week. This happened on both Windows and Mac. Really strange and annoying.

[Noë]

I think you're better off investing in a LCD monitor and maybe some upgrades for your computer.
As for photoshop: you can download the trial of the CS3 (I think it lasts a month?) and see if it makes a big enough difference to buy it?

Love
Marleen