what is good, just got better

For a long time I was working with Lightroom 2 and now with the latest version 4. The main reason for the "upgrade" to LR4 was the Photobook function. I was sick, to create photobooks with separate software and then - when you realize that a photo has to be reworked again, to go back into the image-editing software to make the corrections, and then import export back into the photo book software ,
The LR4 can now in an integrated flow! Simply from the book in the "Develop module" jump, make the changes and return to the book - done!

But the photo book feature is not yet all that is I really like the improved noise reduction that makes LR really very good.

Whether you want to develop or want to edit RAW JPGs remains entirely up. Personally, I develop my Nikon SLR of RAWs and JPGs take my compact camera. But you have to know that - due to the different color depth (12 ... 14 bit RAW, JPG at only 8 bit) can take photos much more details are brought out on RAW, which are already "lost" in JPG (ie completely black or said white simplified).

In practice, it is amazing what Lightroom can extract still photos also from seemingly unusable JPG.

Last-but-not-least, the archiving function of LR is really good, and here perhaps is even the strength compared to other programs such as Aperture, etc. which can be used also well edit images.

From me a strong buy recommendation!