Adobe Flash CS4 Course Books Compared: Which One Fits Your Software Design Courses?

Choosing the right Adobe Flash CS4 course book for your software design courses can be surprisingly tricky. The same topic shows up in hardcover and paperback, in conditions from Acceptable to Like New, and in prices that stretch from $19.99 to $142.95. Do you pay up for a comprehensive, like-new guide, or save with an acceptable hardcover that also covers Dreamweaver and Photoshop? Here's a practical look at four titles to help you decide.

Quick Take

All four books cover Adobe Flash CS4, with listed prices from $19.99 to $142.95. Formats range from hardcover to trade paperback in this group, and conditions vary. The product notes below focus on the differences that matter for your software design course.

Listed Price Comparison

Decision Matrix

Product Notes

HC - Adobe Flash CS4 Revealed

The hardcover treatment in the HC - Adobe Flash CS4 Revealed makes it a sturdy middle-ground option at $69.25. It comes in Good condition, which means you're getting a usable copy with some wear, and the format is Hardcover. If you know your software design course will center on Flash CS4 only, this gives you a hardcover alternative to the lighter paperback version. The main limitation is that the title doesn't mention Dreamweaver or Photoshop coverage, so you'd need a separate resource if those apps are part of the syllabus.

Adobe Flash CS4 Revealed

For $49.99, this trade paperback from Nationwide Textbook Services, LLC is the middle-priced Flash CS4 guide. The Very Good condition is the better of the two 'Revealed' titles, and the Trade Paperback format is typically easier to carry. It's also Flash CS4 focused, like the other Revealed title, rather than a multi-app collection. The trade-off is that you're paying $30.00 more than the Web Collection hardcover without the extra Dreamweaver and Photoshop material, so it's a fit only if Flash is your sole topic.

The Web Collection Revealed: Adobe Flash CS4 Dreamweaver CS4 & Photoshop

The Web Collection Revealed is the value pick at $19.99, and it's the only title here that shows Dreamweaver CS4 and Photoshop CS4 right in the product name. The format is Hardcover, and the Acceptable condition means you should expect creases, surface wear, or stains. For a software design course that spans three Adobe apps, this is the most direct way to get all three in one book. The downside is that you're getting the lowest condition grade on the list, so it's best for a budget-conscious student who doesn't mind a well-used copy.

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON ADOBE FLASH CS4 PROFESSIONAL: By Luis A. Lopez & Robin M

At $142.95, the New Perspectives on Adobe Flash CS4 Professional guide is the most expensive item here, but it's also the only one in Like New condition and the only one with 'Comprehensive' in the title. The Trade Paperback format and the 544-page length reinforce its comprehensive scope. The biggest limitation is the price: it's $73.70 more than the next highest title, and it focuses on Flash CS4 Professional rather than the broader Web Collection scope. This is the pick when you want a fresh, thorough Flash-specific textbook.

Final Recommendation by Use Case

• If your software design course covers Flash, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop, choose The Web Collection Revealed hardcover. It's the lowest-priced title and the only one that includes all three apps, even though the condition is Acceptable.
• If you want a Flash-only hardcover and can tolerate Good condition, the HC - Adobe Flash CS4 Revealed is the middle-priced hardcover option.
• If you prefer a lighter paperback with very good condition, the Adobe Flash CS4 Revealed paperback from Nationwide Textbook Services, LLC is the Flash-only paperback pick.
• If you want a like-new, comprehensive Flash CS4 Professional guide, the New Perspectives title is the thorough choice.