Pulled the Trigger - now need software/memory advice

You mean a 27" iMac?

• Look into Mint -- it's free (and there's a payed version) on the App Store.
• For memory, try Crucial.

http://www.crucial.com

 

We replaced Quicken with iBank from the Mac App Store. Seems to work fine.
The most popular password program seems to be 1Password

 

1. iBank
2. 1Password or Keychain Access.App(comes with iMac) - I use Keychain and it works well, but have used 1Password and it works equally well.
3. Crucial, Other World Computing or Newegg. Cheapest is not always best. All three sites have Memory Advisor Tools to help you make sure you purchase the proper RAM.

 

I have been using 1Password for two years, and I recommend it. I have an article that you might find useful, as it give a good overview of the features and how they work. I suggest you buy from the developers website as you will get a free upgrade to the next version.

There is a trial on the developers website as well. So you can try before you want to buy.

There is also a iOS App and a Windows App as well (extra $).

Best place for Mac memory upgrades is www.crucial.com I have used their store for all my upgrades.

 

LastPass for password management. Works on Mac, iPad, and windows. My wife and I share one account with different identities so we only pay one subscription.

 

When possible, I like to buy applications on the Mac App Store. I love the fact that updates are quick, easy, automatic... and decoupled from launching the application.

Most software bought from the vendors site seems to check for updates upon program launch... which is the worse time to update, because it is exactly when you want to use it.

For password management... 1Password is by far the most popular for good reason. It is simply the best. It is not the cheapest... but I'd prefer to pay a bit more for the high functionality and automation that it provides.

/Jim

 

1. iBank
2. 1Password
3. I usually get my RAM from Newegg

 

I know I'll get beaten up for this but... I used Quicken for Mac until it would no longer run, then just moved to Quicken Essentials. I maintain checking, savings, credit cards, mortgage, car loan, equity loan, and IRA with no trouble. My end of year tax report is just 2 clicks and print. QE imported 8 years of transactions and all my custom categories without a hitch. Despite all the flack Intuit has gotten for their slow Mac support, I like Quicken Essentials.

 

Do yourself a favor and just buy 1Password. Keychain is like a safe... with minimal integration into apps (such as your browser). By contrast 1Password is also a safe except that it cleanly and securely integrates into your browsers and enables using secure passwords very easily.

Once you get it... you should go to every site (I have hundreds)... and reset passwords to be unique (to each site) very complex auto generated passwords. Also... you need to set similar tough answers to the "mothers maiden name", "first car", or "favorite pet". For example... a typical response might be favorite pet = fK8}vgUeU+n7jZKHFUxUjnKY. Also... make up a unique and "untrue" birthday for every site that requests birthday information. All this complexity will be hidden inside of 1Password... and actually logging in to each site will be automatic.

/Jim