I'm in the process of buying a new Mac Book Pro laptop as I retire in a fortnight's time and have to relinquish work's technology. I need to stock the laptop with certain programs such as Filemaker Pro, MS Office, etc., so that my various interests and works in progress can continue without interruption.

I make a great deal of use of Adobe Photoshop - particularly the "layers" feature - for photographic work and for instructional video making. However, the cost of Photoshop (c. £600) is pretty steep. If I have to buy it, I have to but - just wondered if there were any good and cheaper alternatives.