Any tool can produce remarkable results, but it depends on who is using it. Photoshop has various tools to make life easier. From it, even a novice can look like a professional, but only to a layman. Photoshop IS quite expensive and i won't recommend purchasing it if you're not serious about using it to build your career or part of it.

I personally use GIMP. Multiple windows in GIMP does make things a bit awkward to work with, but i've become used to it.