Microsoft? Shame on them. I bought a second MacBookPro, as back up to my teaching. Less then a year ago, I paid $150 for Microsoft Office and installed it on this new iMac desktop. Well, I wanted to install it on my Apple refurbished MacBookPro. I have the Key Code, entered it all, and when just about finished, the Microsoft screen informed me that I needed to call their 800 number. After re-entering the Key Code three times, and bounced between the "agent" and his supervisor, I learned ... just about two hours later, that the "agent" wanted me to purchase an Internet protection plan, ranging from $195 to $495. After it became clear to me that this was THE purpose for me to all their 800 number, I insisted that the install be finished. Within 5 minutes, the install was finished. Shame on Microsoft.

Here in the Mid-West, Shelter issued a refund check several months ago. Nice.

And it was the absence of drivers, that I had to 'toss' away both the Wacom tablet and a excellent operating scanner.

I was not shocked to read his advice. I'm a long time fan of Apple, but I've been disappointed that ... when upgrading, one needs to ask what *software, or *hardware have I just lost. Over the past ten years, I've lost two printers, one scanner, and one Wacom tablet. So all of this hardware had to be purchased again, of course. Fortunately, in most cases, the software companies would provide upgrade based on my previous purchases. This all said, I know our world of Apple is far better than my previous world in PC's. But still, I do my best to -not- upgrade.

And thanks Fourlocks, I'm glad to hear that you found little gain from the Catalina upgrade.

Kmac, look closely at Affinity Photo. Pay once, and it's yours. And updates are free. I believe it still sells for about $49. Begin using it with your intuition, and you'll be working immediately.

I have a silly question. I'm an exclusive Apple user, but I'd like to know ... with the updates, and we can use Catalina update for example, what did you gain with the Catalina update??????

Here, in the Gateway city, they are running one day late or on schedule.

My only disappointment with iMac keyboards, and I'll address my comments to the wireless one, are (a) signal gets lost occasionally and (b) no numeric keypad. Give me a wired one WITH numeric keypad, and I'm totally happy.

Now I have to point out that I dearly love the wireless 'mouse'. Not because it's wireless, but because I can 'scratch' the cursor up and down easily, so I do that all the time. Now the downside. The one that came with my iMac (a little more than a year old) came with a mouse with rechargeable battery in it. Problem? Yes, if in the middle of writing a test I see a warning RECHARGE NOW. No ... I always save my prior 'stuff', and that included a wireless mouse that uses regular AA batteries. Problem Solved.

I, too, have had two iMacs over the past 15 years, and never a problem here. Of course, I choose the wired keyboard. The 'wireless' one was constantly a problem.

Jerry, on one occasion, I plugged an old PC keyboard into my iMac and it worked just fine. Wouldn't that work for you too?

Speaking of Penny's solution, I have used it. Why? My "Driver's air-bag disabled". I actually want that!! I wear glasses. Have you ever seen or heard what happens if an air bag goes off and the person is wearing glasses? Even the dealer admits that the air bag is primarily for those who won't wear their seat belts. I put my seat belts on even before backing out of the garage. So, not a problem for me. I'm glad the air bag is disabled. But I don't want to see that constant display about the air bags. So, Penny! Thanks for the tape idea. BTW, doesn't Peter use that idea on Family Guy, or is it Homer Simpson?

Longshadow, I'm happy and proud of my Canon 5DII, 'advertising' it does not "make my day".

You are getting outstanding recommendation. Should you plan to travel soon (don't we all wish we could right now?), but sure to -not- use a camera strap that has the brand of camera printed on it. Some things are best not to advertise.

When traveling in Europe, we were cautioned of thieves that love to steal cameras. Hence, my caution to not 'advertise' your camera when traveling. AND, I suppose you can really ignore this, since I suspect none of us are planning on doing any long distance traveling. And travel to Europe? Us American's are blocked from the EU, at the moment.

Thank you guys. I just bought on from a company called untilgone. I've ordered from them before, found them to be very reliable. And, I just found a new "older 2011 with 10.7.5 Lion on it. All for $420. Problem solved, thanks all.

Jerry, I'm so glad you continue to remind members of the use and importance of the masks. These are essential if we are ever to solve this problem. I have an additional thought to share. I use my regular masks whenever I'm out of the house, as in doing Curbside Pickup of orders. However if I ever go into a store or business (which is very rare) I use one of the KN-95 masks I bought back in January, before they even "became a thing". So that I can re-ware them, I've purchased a UV-C light. The "C" is the one that will actually kill a virus on a surface. The portable lights (I bought two) are very small, battery, and charged with a USB source. When I arrive home after wearing a KN-95, a run the UV-C light on both sides of the masks. Here in St. Louis, one hospitals collect theirs daily, hang them up like socks to dry, and then bombard the closed room with a high level of UV-C lights. That makes mine very reusable. Just an additional idea.

I seriously searching for a 2011 MacBookPro, with 10.7.5 Lion OS.

I would even enjoy chatting about a swap. I have two Lumix TZ80 that I bought for a cruise in the Baltic. Amazing very small camera that actually shoots RAW, with both screen viewing and an eye window, along with manual setting for A and T.

Please let me know if you're interested. And thanks.

Bill