burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

As Linus Torvalds would tell you, Linux has nothing to do with MacOS... MacOS is based on the Darwin Kernel of BSD UNIX. Linux is a work-alike UNIX knock-off that comes in several very good "flavors."

One does not use MacOS just for the operating system. It is a complete ecosystem that includes Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple TV, Apple Watch, iTunes, the App Store, iCloud, and so much more. It includes dozens of apps that run on multiple Apple devices, and millions of third party apps, some of which are Mac only, and some of which run on iPads and iPhones. It is a bit of a walled, curated garden, to be sure, but it just works for most of its users, in a way that other operating environments and devices don't. ALL operating systems have their strong points and appropriate uses.

I used both DOS and Windows, then most incarnations of Windows and MacOS, since the mid-1980s, and tried Red Hat Linux in the early 2000s. I prefer the Apple ecosystem that includes iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS. It works like I do. I try to choose tools that extend my hands and thoughts, without getting in my way. The Mac and iPhone do that best for me. I had an iPhone ten years ago, but didn't see the point of tablets for what I do. The MacBook Air is close enough.

We are mostly an Apple family. My wife uses an HP laptop at work. She put an Apple logo over the HP logo on it, as a "protest button." She gave up trying to get a Mac at work about ten years ago, but wants to make sure the IT guy knows she resents using a tool that drives her crazy. My twins use both platforms, but the PC is only for gaming. My daughter has an iPhone and an iPad, but she is a bit of a nomad. She used to have a MacBook Pro.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

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Affinity Photo, ON1 Photo RAW or Photoshop Elements (and "Elements+" add-on).

LU10IT Loc: Daytona Beach, Florida

Thanks guys for all the advise. I think I will look into this Affinity program. And I like what Bill_de said "enjoy my new freedom from work photography" and I WILL get back to the fun part of it. Happy holidays to everyone!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Great value for what it cost.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

If you have been a Photoshop user, then Elements may be right for you. You buy it once and own the license forever. You will be familiar with its logic, and have the advantage of its Organizer.

wvince

I agree with Phil ----Affinity Photo.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

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dhsackett

Guzser02

Affinity Photo 2 may be the editor that meet your image-editing needs plus it's cost-effective. Since you had Photoshop, the learning curve will be short.

Guzser02

Affinity Photo 2 may be the editor that meets your image-editing needs plus it's cost-effective. Since you had Photoshop, the learning curve will be short.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I used PS for many, many years. When I switched to Affinity because I didn't like the rental scheme, it took me a long time to adjust to Affinity. Possibly because things were ALMOST identical, but not quite. Layers gave me fits with Affinity, but I stuck with it and am quite happy with Affinity, although layers, which I never had an issue with in PS, still give me an occasional headache. Like PS, it has it's good points and bad. I'd recommend PS if you don't mind rental fees and $120/year, but if you do, Affinity Photo is definitely a great option.

Kalbo

I like affinity photo, just a one time fee and they update it quite often.

JKaye Loc: Chicago

Luminar has three different choices for today each is $99 from one year to lifetime all the same price. Take a look at it.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

This is UHH. Therefore you are required to do your evaluation of the program and report back.

Freedom from work is always good.

kbk

Gimp is similar to Photoshop and is very cheap!