Did you get a new computer recently? Once you've gotten everything plugged up, it's time to install some apps. Here are some of the best apps everyone needs on their computer.
LibreOffice
Microsoft Office is still the go-to productivity app for documents, spreadsheets, etc. But before you bother to spend money on a subscription, consider a cheaper alternative.
LibreOffice is a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. It also has a vast library of free extensions you can add to help with your projects.
It includes Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing).
You can open and save documents in most Microsoft file formats like DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and more.
LibreOffice is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
VLC
Video content comes in all formats. It should be smooth and light on resources.
Computers have built-in video players, but they can be taxing on resources and don't support a lot of formats.
VLC is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files, and various streaming protocols.
It's available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
GIMP
If you're a content creator, or just really dedicated to making memes, you don't need to dish out a ton of money to edit photos.
There are plenty of alternatives out there.
GIMP is a solid alternative to Photoshop.
It offers similar features like image retouching and editing, free-form drawing, converting between different image formats, and more.
7-Zip
Most Windows or macOS come with a built-in tool to handle zip files. If zip files are all you're dealing with, this should be fine.
But if you need something more powerful to compress and decompress different file types, consider 7-Zip.
7-Zip is a free and open-source file archiver for compressing and decompressing files.
It supports a large amount of packing and unpacking files. The compression ratio is much better than the Windows standard.
Malwarebytes
Windows and macOS machines both have decent antivirus programs built-in. But it's a good idea to have a backup plan.
Malwarebytes is a great option. The interface is very simple so you can view and analyze potential threats. It offers ransomware protection and a VPN.
It also uses fewer CPU resources so you don't bog your machine down.
Malwarebytes also comes with Browser Guard, an extension for Chrome, Firefox, etc. you can install for safer web browsing. It detects sites with weak security and potential phishing scams.
Wrapping Up
LibreOffice is a great productivity suite that isn't locked behind a subscription.
Consider using VLC for video playback. It's light on resources and supports a ton of video formats.
GIMP is a great way to manage and edit your photo collection. Compress and uncompress your files fast, free, and easy with 7-Zip.
And add a solid antivirus program with Malwarebytes.
