When using the PDF viewer Adobe Reader, you may get prompts suggesting that you should/need to upgrade to Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is the paid version that includes additional features, such as the ability to create, edit, and protect PDF files. Most home computer users do not need to upgrade to Adobe Acrobat and pay for features that they do not need.
Here are the pros and cons of upgrading to Adobe Acrobat from Adobe Reader:
Pros:
- Create and edit PDFs: Adobe Acrobat allows you to create and edit PDFs, which is not possible with Adobe Reader. This means you can add text, images, and annotations to PDFs, as well as rearrange pages and delete content.
- Convert PDFs to other formats: Adobe Acrobat can also convert PDFs to other formats, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This is useful if you need to share a PDF with someone who doesn’t have Adobe Reader.
- Protect PDFs: Adobe Acrobat can protect PDFs with passwords, encryption, and digital signatures. This helps to keep your PDFs secure and prevents them from being tampered with.
- Add advanced features: Adobe Acrobat also includes a number of advanced features, such as the ability to create PDF portfolios, add watermarks, and track changes.
Cons:
- Cost: Adobe Acrobat is a paid software, while Adobe Reader is free.
- Complexity: Adobe Acrobat is more complex than Adobe Reader, so it may take some time to learn how to use all of its features.
- Not necessary for everyone: If you only need to view and print PDFs, then you don’t need to upgrade to Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Reader is sufficient for most users.
Additionally, word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer let you save documents as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. So if you have a word processing document that you don’t want easily changed or edited, you already have the ability to save it as a PDF file.
Overall, Adobe Acrobat offers a number of advantages over Adobe Reader, but it is also more expensive and complex. Whether or not you should upgrade depends on your needs. If you need to create, edit, or protect PDFs, then Adobe Acrobat is a good choice. However, if you only need to view and print PDFs, then Adobe Reader is sufficient.
Here is a table that summarizes the pros and cons of upgrading to Adobe Acrobat from Adobe Reader:
| Feature | Adobe Reader | Adobe Acrobat |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Complexity | Simple | Complex |
| Features | Basic | Advanced |
| Necessary for everyone | No | Yes (for some users) |