Jonibean wrote:
1. If I get a membership now and then later decide to cancel, will I still be able to upgrade my CS5 suite?
Yes, but there's a time limit.
You can only upgrade CS5 to CS6 (due to Adobe's new one-version-back policy introduced with CS6).
Once CS7 ships (whenever that may be), only CS6 products will be eligible for upgrade.
So the Cloud is currently a one-way street: if you join the Cloud during CS6 and don't upgrade your CS5 Suite the traditional way then, when CS7 ships, you're stuck with the Cloud monthly payments forever (unless you buy a brand new CS7 of course).
Many users have asked Adobe to review this all-or-nothing upgrade policy so there's a way out if people want to (or must) discontinue the Cloud in future.
Jonibean wrote:
2. Can I pay yearly instead of monthly on my credit card?
Not that I'm aware of.
You sign up for a monthly or 12 monthly contract but all billing is done monthly.
Jonibean wrote:
3. Also, will I be able to put the software on my laptop as well,
Yes.
One of the selling points of Adobe software is that you're entitled to activate the software on a maximum of two computers (but not use them at the same time).
The difference between the Cloud software and traditional licenses (non-subscription) is that Cloud activations are platform independent.
In other words: traditional licensed software can only be activated on Win/Win or Mac/Mac.
Cloud software can be activated on Win/Win, Mac/Mac or Win/Mac.
http://www.adobe.com/au/products/creativecloud/faq.html
"Are there any unique benefits that come with my paid membership?
Yes, as a member of Creative Cloud, you get many benefits that you do not get when you purchase a traditional shrinkwrapped product:
- Access to both the Mac OS and Windows® versions of the desktop applications and the ability to install them on your primary computer and one backup computer. So, if you have a Mac at home and a PC at work, you can install your applications on both as long as they are not running at the same time."
