Free alternatives to expensive software

In deciding whether to purchase a new computer, you should also consider the software you will need. If you have a large number of specialized requirements, you may spend more on additional software than you did on the computer itself. But the reality is that you don't NEED to do that.

there are free alternatives to every program available today.

microsoft office - libreoffice is a free alternate.

LibreOffice is the suite of applications I typically install on the refurbished laptops I sell. It permits the creation, opening, and editing of virtually any document normally associated with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. Therefore, if you create a document in Word format and email it to another person, they will be able to open it in Word. Open Office is a free alternative to Microsoft Office that has existed for a long time. LibreOffice is more user-friendly and intuitive, in my opinion. You can try each one to determine which you prefer, as they have comparable functionality.

adobe photoshop - gimp is a free option.

Gimp has been around for eons and has a substantial following. If you have prior experience with Photoshop, you will likely find Gimp to be intuitive. However, they are both packed with features that can be difficult to master without practice. However, if you are committed to learning it and maximizing its capabilities, there are many online tutorials available.

adobe audition - audacity is a free substitute.

These programs allow users to create and edit audio files. If you need to record your own voice, another person's voice, or both, either of these options will suffice. Audition has a number of features that the average user does not require, which is one of the reasons why it is so expensive. Audacity suffices for most people (and it has quite a few features itself). The creation of podcasts is one of the most common uses for audio editing software, and both of these programs are extremely popular among podcasters around the world.

acronis true image - macrium reflect is a free option.

These applications are designed to back up your computer's files and folders. Every day, I use Macrium for two types of backup:

First, I clone my primary hard drive to a second internal drive on my desktop. Consequently, if the first one fails, I simply switch to the second one and I am back in business. Then, I have Macrium create a system image that is stored on an external drive. This means that everything on my computer is compressed and stored in a single file, just in case I need to transfer everything to a new hard drive following a hard drive failure. Indeed, it is somewhat redundant. After years of preaching "back up your files," it would not look good if I were to lose anything in a crash.

Acronis costs $50, which is not excessively expensive. Additionally, Macrium Reflect is only free for personal use, and other versions with additional features are available for a fee. However, the free version is adequate for the majority of users.

windows - linux is a free substitute.

I am aware that you are unlikely to implement this change, but I felt compelled to include it. This is a viable alternative to purchasing Windows if you need an operating system for your computer but don't want to spend money. Works exceptionally well on older computers that may not even be capable of running Windows. I particularly enjoy the "Cinnamon" version, which is extremely user-friendly and functions very similarly to Windows 7, so you don't need to be a programmer to use it. But, like most people, my primary computer runs Windows 7.