In the same boat now. My 20 year old version of Photoshop is fast becoming incompatible with my OS upgrades to my 2012 Mac (the last upgradable and repairable iteration), so I am looking at a newer, better, way-cheaper, easier-to-use, non-subscription-based photo-editing software. "Affinity Photo" may be the answer. But I am waiting on getting my new 2024 Apple system fully up and running before I give it a test run.
The list of apps and programs, overall, that are a one-time purchase with convenient and inexpensive updates, is growing smaller each day. When you start needing subscriptions just to keep your car, and car software running, you know that we as a consumer society have crossed the Rubicon, and that we as individuals are just mere insignificant specks in the consumer-corporate landscape. I'll stop far short of calling it a Vast Global Conspiracy. But it sure feels like it.
You mean like Volvo was trying to do? I don't think they succeeded...that was in 22 or 23 I think. Then again, you couldn't pay me enough to get into a 'modern' European car. Having owned a BMW, I can't afford the $700 "oil changes" and that was in 2007. The Mercedes was even worse. I like my Toyota, and even more so my '98 Jeep.
I'm in the apple universe too -- but with Apples persistent and continuingly nasty stance toward right to repair, I don' know if I want to play in their sandbox any more. I mean, lets face it when a laptop hinge replacement requires specialized software that they do not make available to repair shops...no thanks.
I will likely stick with their phones becuase there are things they do better than others...but even that is arguable.
Right now, homekit is the only thing that is absolutely holding onto me. I use it for a number of automation tasks which are more critical when I leave the house such as light automation and ability to monitor cameras without opening up firewall holes, which I am not willing to do.
For hardware, I am really infatuated with Framework laptops (
Framework Laptop 16 pre-orders are now open). They are the ONLY repairable laptop I know of. The even include the schematics and the screwdriver you need to disassemble it. Actually, you can get the laptop in a kit form, and save a few bucks doing it.
When you get inside, they even include extra screws in case you drop on. What a concept! More expensive -- a little. But theoretically, it's upgradeable so when a faster CPU comes out, you can simply swap the board. Unlike Apple wich comes with storage (hard drive) and Memory (RAM) on the board, soldered in and not replaceable. BTW, that solid state hard drive --- they don't last forever, when it dies...back to the apple store.
I dunno. World be crazy.
