Get Serif PagePlus X4 for $16.99 shipped

Normally $99.99, this exceptional desktop-publishing program can be yours for just $16.99.

(Credit: Buy.com)

Whatever happened to desktop publishing software? A decade ago you had your pick of at least a dozen programs, but now the field is nearly empty.

Sure, you can still buy Adobe PageMaker or QuarkXPress for a small fortune (make that a medium fortune: they run $499 and $799, respectively), but what if you just want a simple program for creating newsletters, brochures, flyers, and the like?

Enter Serif PagePlus X4, a terrific desktop-publishing application that's ideal for designing print and Web-based documents alike.

Right now, Buy.com has PagePlus X4 for just $16.99 shipped. That's after a $25 mail-in rebate [PDF], but even at the prerebate price of $41.99, this software's a steal.

Indeed, although you can use PagePlus for any number of everyday projects (calendars, greeting cards, etc.), it's powerful enough to create professional-level documents (books, magazines, etc.).

In addition to robust page-layout tools, PagePlus features a PDF editor, logo builder, and photo lab. It also comes with a huge assortment of templates so you can hit the design-ground running. And to help beginners get started, it incorporates tutorial videos.

The software supports nearly every imaginable output option, including four color separations, press-ready PDFs, double-sided printing, and Web publishing.

In short, PagePlus X4 can stand toe-to-toe with Quark and PageMaker, but at a fraction of the cost.

I'm a huge fan of the program, which I've used for years. In fact, I've been plugging along just fine with PagePlus X2, but now that I can score the latest version for just $16.99, I'll definitely be upgrading.

Update: Sorry, folks, looks like the deal is no longer valid. But check back in a day or two to see if Buy.com replenishes its stock. It's been known to happen!

[ducttape36]

unfortunately adobe has a strangle hold on the market after they overtook quark. if youre a graphic designer then indesign is a must have if you want to find a job at a large company. although, for smaller firms where you would be the only guy working in desktop publishing, this would be great!

[Harvey_Scorp]

Totally agree!!!

[nicmart]

I've never heard of this program. Why hasn't Cnet reviewed it?

[rickbroida]

Exactly my point. Desktop publishing software has just sort of fallen off everybody's radar. (There is, however, a review over at PC World.)

nicmart___Well here's there Review, It always has to start somewhere so Don't Blame them Hey CNET's Free right ???

[raindog469]

Glad to see PagePlus is still kicking around, but I think at this point if you're gonna go "brand X" you might as well just download Scribus.

[rickbroida]

I wouldn't really call Serif "brand X," and I'm not sure Scribus comes anywhere close from a feature standpoint. That said, it's nice to know there's a solid open-source option.

[jamostew]

I use Scribus and am impressed by what it can do, but it does have some design and operational glitches. Still, I like supporting Open Source whenever I can. That said, for $17, having a good alternative is not a bad idea.

[geeman1082]

Is it a safe assumption that this would kick the crap out of MS Pub? I create show programs, generally about 20 pages long, twice each year, and otherwise have very little need for real DTP. MS Pub has done just fine for me, but I'd be up for spending $17 to get something that works even better ...

[rickbroida]

PagePlus is a zillion times more advanced than Publisher. Possibly a million-zillion.

[geeman1082]

A zillion? Or even million-zillion? Rick, I'm an engineer who works with sales guys all the time, so applying my own personal translation algorithm to those comments leads me to believe that PagePlus has between 8 and 13 additional significant features than MS Pub. So how can I go wrong at about $1.50-$2.00 per added feature? Thanks for the tip!

[rickbroida]

Hey, I was an English major. You do the math. ;)

[fdc1000]

PagePlus is the only way to go, simple, powerful and affordable.
Been using it for years although I also have Quark and MS Publisher.

[too_bz]

I purchased my copy from Fry's, mailed in my rebate coupon (scanned a copy of rebates and receipt). Serif claims they never received my rebate paperwork and refused to issue a rebate even after I emailed them proof of the scan copies. Not a bad product but I would be very weary of the rebate ploy! Caveat emptor!

[rickbroida]

All the more reason to always send rebate forms using some trackable method (certified, delivery confirmation, etc.). It's a little extra work and $$, but it should help with situations like this.

[Harvey_Scorp]

Does anyone else just ingore this as a deal or other deals once they see Mail-in-Rebate?

It could just be me, wouldn't be the first time. ;)

[geeman1082]

That's always my initial reaction also ... I hate mail-in rebates because half the time I forget to send them in (which the companies are counting on, of course) and some of the time the rebate never shows up and is tough to follow up on (which the companies are also counting on), but I do make exceptions where it makes sense (e.g., $1 monitors AMIR or $17 DTP AMIR).

I'm headed for Serif's website to confirm my hunch that this app doesn't speak Mac OS. Would be nice if that info were in the writeup . . . .

[rickbroida]

Sorry, my bad. Yep, this is definitely a Windows-only app.

[KeatHugs]

Made me go and dig up my old CD Serif Page Plus 3.0, (1995), wonder if it works with vista. I guess for $17 bucks I'll just go ahead and get X4 although I only use it at Christmas for cards.Thanks

"Sure, you can still buy Adobe PageMaker"..... man what era are you from??? Sure you can still get it but it is really used only for in house Business DTP any more... more like Adobe's version of Publisher than a true DTP platform. Anyone working professionally for clients uses either InDesign or Quark.

"Sure, you can still buy Adobe PageMaker"..... man what era are you from??? Sure you can still get it but it is really used only for in house Business DTP any more... more like Adobe's version of Publisher than a true DTP platform. Anyone working professionally for clients uses either InDesign or Quark.

[rickbroida]

It's true, my DTP brain is still stuck in the mid-90s. I know PageMaker hasn't been updated in forever, but I think it's still a more recognizable name than InDesign. Eh, potato, po-tah-to. :)

[JSThomas7451]

As a desktop publisher & graphic designer, I have to point out that PageMaker hasn't been around in YEARS... make that decades. The last release was for MacOS 9 (Classic Mode?). Adobe InDesign replaced the PageMaker application years ago.

Actually you can still buy it... it is just as you say though, no one uses it any more... at least not if you are DTPing at a professional level i.e.,not in house.

[crescentdave]

Well, there's facts and then there's facts ...http://www.adobe.com/products/pagemaker/

If Rick Broida has been a technology writer for nearly 20 years, he needs to brush up on his English. This refers to his statement: "if you don't mind waiting on a rebate". Anyone who knows his grammer knows that you wait ON PEOPLE such as a waiter would do, but you wait FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN. I learned this in elementary school, but, it was a private school and not a public school. No wonder people no longer know how to write.

One thing I learned in elementary school is that the proper spelling of the word, grammar is with two As and zero Es. So brush up yourself, buddy.

[davea0511]

hehehe ... it's spelled "grammar" not "grammer". Yeah, "No wonder people no longer know how to write". You didn't perchance mean "It's no wonder why people no longer know how to write" (an awkward construct, regardless). This reminds me of an old adage about a mote and a telephone pole and somebody's belligerent eyeball.

[geeman1082]

I love it ... anyone who would hammer Rick for something like "waiting on" (which is a relatively common turn of a phrase) deserves to get it right back ... personally, all I care about is how much money Rick can save me on cool stuff, and I don't really give a dang how he communicates it ... (oh, and I'll bet that poster really likes my punctuation!) ...

[johnarro]

I note that on the Buy.com website the voucher details show that it's only valid from 11/02/99 to 11/08/99 so PagePlus X4 won't be quite a cheap as hoped :(

[brucetrainor]

How can a Canadian customer buy the Serif X4 product. At cheque out there is no way to enter any postal code other than US, nor is there anyway to enter a Province instead of a State? I was going to buy the product but gave up as I couldn't get passed the moat.

I have used and taught Adobe Photoshop, PageMaker, and In-design for about as long as they've been around, anyone else out there old enough to remember Ventura? Well I'm telling you guys that Serif PagePlus (especially the latest version X4) knocks the socks off all other desktop publishing software. I simply wouldn't dream of using any other program for dtp now. An easy to use, intuitive program, for an extraordinary price (not counting discounts). You'd be mad not to try it. Possibly the reason that some of you haven't heard of it is because Serif is a British company that started it a modest way, and has been quietly and even sneakily overtaking the big boys. Go to the Serif website and just have a look at what they have to offer!

What's the poop - If I use the link to go to Buy.co - the price is $89 not the $41.99 as quoted in the article - anybody else experienced that?

[sschriber]

OK, I click on the link and the buy.com proce says $16.99. When I try to add to cart, it bounces me to another page where the price is $90+ and my cart is empty. This is my second strike in two tries to take advantage of one of these deals. What's up?

[bm150280]

It is happening to me also. Once I tried to checkout it showed the 93.00. ?!!?!??!