Quicken 2008 for Mac? No/Yes/Maybe
Quicken Financial Life for Mac
© 2008 Intuit, Inc.
Update 01/01/2009 - As readers report in the comments to this post, Quicken Financial Life for Mac has now been pushed back to a summer of 2009 release. I've asked Quicken for an explanation regarding the ever-changing release date for a Quicken personal finance software solution for Mac systems. Will update this post when I get a response.
Update 10/01/2008 - My Quicken contact says that Quicken Financial Life for Mac will likely be released in January of 2009.
Update 08/25/08 - Quicken.com posts details and beta testing link for Quicken Financial Life for Mac.
Update 08/20/2008 - It was suggested a year ago that development of Quicken Mac was waiting on the launch of Leopard. Quicken 2007 for Mac on Quicken.com notes that it now runs on Leopard...but we have no Quicken 2008 for Mac. So what's the big deal? Mac users sense that Intuit hasn't been entirely forthcoming about the development timeline for the next version of Quicken for Mac.
Original post: 08/22/07 I thought it was strange that Quicken 2008 offered only Windows versions when it released a few days ago. When I looked for Quicken 2008 for Mac on Quicken.com, I found the "Looking for Quicken for Mac?" link which took me to the Quicken 2007 for Mac page. I thought this was strange, but it wouldn't be the first time major software did not offer an upgrade for Mac as well as Windows.
I just read Intuit Speaks on Quicken 2008 Mac, Leopard from Macnn.com and it sounds like Quicken is waiting for the new Mac OSX Leopard to launch before offering Quicken 2008 for Mac. AppleInsider reports that Leopard was late getting out of the gate, and PC World recently reported that Jodi Reinman of Intuit confirmed that Quicken 2008 for Mac will indeed be available, just a bit later.
Hmmmm....maybe Quicken 2008 for Mac will be in stores in....2008?
And, if I buy Quicken 2007 for Mac today, will I get discount on Quicken 2008 for Mac when it releases in a few weeks or months?
Have something to say about this post? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Intuit did not say they would offer a mac version, they said they would offer a mac solution. Sounds like a web app.
Hey there, John! I would place a small bet that you are correct. Quicken Online could very well be the Quicken 2008 for Mac software.
As the PR manager for Quicken at Intuit, I just wanted to let folks know that Intuit is working on the next generation Mac platform and is indeed planning on delivering the next version of Quicken Mac in 2008. We are also excited about launching Quicken Online this winter - but it’s not meant to replace Quicken Mac. So keep an eye out - we have a lot going on!
Jodi Reinman
good point. will Quicken 2008 offer discount for 2007 version users? they should. especially for those who settled for v2007 and couldn’t wait for what Quicken won’t fully disclose.
jodi, why can’t you offer a longer grace period for free upgrades if we buy our 2007 version in 2008? seems like good customer service to me since it should have been out by now. leopard came out months ago!
What’s really annoying on their website is that they do kind of a quiet bait-and-switch of Quicken 2008 to 2007 when you make a purchase without telling you. That is, the webpage shows a picture of Quicken 2008, but when you click to purchase, Quicken 2007 gets added to your cart without any announcement or warning. Very easy to miss the switch.
To see what I mean:
1. Go here: http://quicken.intuit.com/taxes/?priorityCode=4216102399
2. Notice that 2008 versions are shown. Under Quicken Deluxe TurboTax Deluxe, click “Buy Now”
3. Click the “Download for Mac” radio button
4. Click Add to Cart
The result: Your cart contains Quicken Mac 2007, NOT 2008, but you’re not told about the switch.
Quicken for Mac is NOT compatible with Quicken for PC. To transfer files there is a 10 page process, which does not work and corrupts the PC files with dates where the year changes from 2004 to 1904. Pathetic. DO NOT BUY QUICKEN FOR MAC UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE STUCK.
Folks, I just bought a Mac in Dec 07 after being a PC loyalist since 1991. I have used Quicken for Windows since 2000 and currently have Quicken 2007. I was completely dissatisfied with the data transfer solution Intuit offered to migrate me from PC to Mac versions. After talking to Intuit’s customer support person overseas, and then reading all of the risks to my 8 years of data, I just accepted defeat, and I will run my PC version of Quicken via Parallels Desktop 3.0. You would think that Intuit would have 100% data migration compatibility between their own software as a given. Guess not.
I absolutely love my Mac, and I firmly believe the PC will continue to loose market share to the better designed and more user friendly Mac. I just hope Inuit “gets it” that there are a steadily growing number of folks out there like me. I would love to see a strong capable competitor to Intuit just to wake them up to their shortcomings.
I also agree with George’s comments above.
Hi Folks
I’m doing some research for a friend who’s considering converting to Mac his biggest issues are of course his 10 yrs of data and Quicken working on Mac. I’ve read all your comments and would just like to know is with the new Leopard OS having Boot Camp… will Quicken work on Mac thru that??
Your assistance is greatly appreciated! (Quicken South Africa have closed down and we have to get our stuff thru the USA or UK now)
Jacquie
Not at the show, but have only seen this story online so far.
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/01/15/macworld-ars-quicken-no-more
BTW, beware the (sort of) misleading headline on that article.
Hmmmm… If that is what they are considering an upgrade they dont get it and looks like they never will. What a joke. Going backwards for a pretty face. What a slap in the face to Mac users! Thanks for nothing.
Aaron, thanks for the link! I did a little more digging around: Quicken 2008 for Mac? Not Exactly…
shelley
I have switched Quicken from MAC to PC ten years ago and learned long ago that it is not reliable. Still what about using the online Quicken? Seems like for $2 or $3 each month this is a simple solution.
Nothing like a monopoly !
They can do whatever they want, they know there are no options out there — I have been using this product for many years now and I am fed up.
As soon as something else shows up I will switch…
As a MAC user,I’m ready to divorce Quicken and find another software solution. Is there a good one out there?
You can check out my Mac personal finance software list for ideas. From that list: If you do not need to track investments in Quicken, I’d start with the free trial of SplashMoney Desktop. Moneydance has a decent feature set as well.
Shelley
So here we are in August 2008 and still no Quicken for the MAC. Anyone know what’s up with that? I can’t wait much longer.
PC Quicken user since ‘91, new to Mac- lost years of data horror story during conversion, also ready to divorce Quicken. They blew it with Mac. It is Aug 2008 and no support from Quicken in sight. Do not buy Quicken for Mac unless you enjoy big headaches.
I should add that most things are not working and accounts are confounded. I try to use the calendar and it crashes Quicken, the main page is useless, my reports are all history, this product is absolutely NOT INTUITive!
For me, it’s totally irrelevant what computer you have - don’t waste your money on Quicken- period. I bought Quicken 2008 Premiere to track investments, but it’s so unreliable, I spend hours checking and fixing what it ‘left’ off, plus 2008’s new OS doesn’t interface with half! of the financial insitution’s- grrr %#@% simplify life w/ reliable excel spreadsheet. uffda Quicken!
Not sure if it’s true but all the info is in the FAQs. THey say for example:
“We have two announcements about our product release and timeline:
1. We will be releasing the product this Winter.
2. The public Beta of Quicken Financial Life for Mac will begin this Fall.”
James - thanks for pointing out the FAQ!
Here’s the link for Quicken Financial Life for Mac FAQ.
I’ve been on Quicken/PC/Checkfree since the first release and have just moved to a Mac. I also run Quickbooks. I called tech support and was told I could run QuickBOOKS online from a Mac but would have to come in through a PC emulator. All I want to know is if I can run Quicken Online with the same functionality (e.g., online banking, including writing checks locally) and I can’t seem to find the answer on this site. The migration stories are too scary.
Karen A: Quicken Online runs through Safari, so you should be set for Internet access to Q.O. on a Mac. However, Quicken Online won’t import your Quicken desktop data and it does not have many of the features Quicken desktop has. But, if you want to go the online route any way, you can set up your accounts in Quicken Online and download 90 days worth of transactions.
I currently run Q2008 Deluxe (WIN XP) via Parallels for Mac. Why?
1 - No migration issues from my old PC
2 - I get a bigger number of financial institutions that work with the free download/account update.
Fix these issues in “Quicken Financial Life” and it’ll be a great Mac hit.
Hi Brad! Another advantage of using Parellels with Quicken for Windows: Quicken Mac does not have all of the features the Windows version does.
Thanks for stopping in to give us your thoughts. Avoiding data migration problems (or failure) is a worthy cause indeed!
Shelley
Wasted money buying quicken 2007 mac
I then learned I was able to setup BOOTCAMP and load Windows XP from my Dell Windows Cd with absoutely no problems. I then installed QUikcen seamlessly !The only drawback is that I neeed to reboot to run quicken but it is much much better than dealng with the horribe Quciken for MAC product and losing 80% of quicken’s functionality. Even the not yet released MAC Quicken version does not have online Banking - which is much of the reason I use Quicken !
BOOTCAMP + WINDOWS CD + QUICKEN 2008 - Best Option + NO COST !
I am being forced back to a PC as quicken for Mac is a mess. I wish they would fix it quick.
Reading all the comments of Mac users and the responses of Intuit lead me to believe that Intuit is not spending anywhere near the resources needed to get out a 2008 version of Quicken. Of course they have 60 day left to prove me wrong and they right about a 2008 release for MacIntosh Quicken.
I know there is iBank software for Mac and that Quicken isn’t coming out with a new release for Mac anytime soon. I’m looking for a software package that will track my business and personel finances and import into Turbo Tax. I have to check into iBank to see if it does all that before purchasing. I’m also disappointed in the updates for Mac. I need to get all of my finances organized fast for next year’s taxes.
I just bought a Mac and have years of Quickbooks that I want to convert to Mac and Quicken. I was waiting for the 2009 version. All comments in this blog discourage moving the data. Any suggestions? Do you know if Quicken will read Quickbook files? Will the new 2009 Mac Quicken be able to better accept PC files?
I just receieved a mail re: my request to be in the beta; they are now saying summer 2009. No word on whether data will migrate from mac 2007, nor whether there will be an upgrade rebate.
“We expect to release Quicken Financial Life for Mac in summer 2009. If you have an immediate need for a Quicken product for the Mac, we would encourage you to check out our current Mac offering, Quicken for Mac 2007.”
I just checked the Quicken web site and it shows that the new Quicken for Mac will be available next summer.
Hi all,
This is Chelsea from Quicken. I want affirm Lisa’s comment above that yes, Quicken Financial Life for Mac will be available in Summer 2009. Here is more in-depth information from our product manager on the delay. You can also subscribe to this discussion to keep up with updates.
We apologize for angst these delays have caused our Mac users, and again ask for your patience until later this year. We’d rather release a product you’ll love than stick to a time line when it Quicken Financial Life for Mac isn’t up to snuff yet for both new and long-time Mac users.
- Chelsea, Quicken
Hi Shelley,
I just want to follow-up on Lisa’s comment above. Lisa, you’re correct, Quicken Financial Life for Mac will be available in Summer 2009. We went public on our Web site with this info. in December, prior to this story’s release.
We’re sorry for any upset this causes our Quicken Mac users. Developing Quicken Financial Life for the Mac is no small feat, and we want it to be a product both Mac novices and gurus will appreciate using. This is why we’ve decided to take the extra time to make the product something you’re happy to use, rather than stick to a time line that would result in a product that isn’t up to your standards yet.
Please keep checking the Quicken Community for updates as we move along. The full reasoning behind our decision to wait is here. You can subscribe to this discussion too.
- Chelsea, Quicken
Apologies, here is the Quicken Community link: www.quickencommunity.com.
Thanks,
- Chelsea, Quicken
I’m thinking it would be better for Intuit to just abandon the financial software market for Mac completely after having seen this new beta offering. Why not just port over Quicken 2009? I REALLY would like to post a positive comment, but this software sucks so far, unless major changes are made. I’ve been a beta tester three times for Intuit, and this effort isn’t even close to par (I’m not talking about the bugs, but the overall concept.)
It must be in bad shape to be so far behind. The guy at the MacExpo said it wasn’t ready for prime time. Well, considering how buggy the first release of every Quicken for PC edition product is, I’m thinking this project is in serious trouble. Heard Ibank is on the move though. Maybe they can take over the reigns of financial champ from Intuit.
Tried the online version of Quicken. Within minutes it was apparent that it was not like the Quicken I knew and loved.
Also, who wants their data to disappear when/if you decide to stop using the service. According to support, you can’t pull your data down in some type of file to keep if you want to stop using it.
BEWARE.