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Compare Options for Running MS Money on a Mac

W

wizinit

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 3, 2007
4
0
I know that Windows does not offer Money for MAC and, because it is one of the most important programs that I use, this has kept me from purchasing my first Apple computer.

I've also decided that Quicken will not address my needs, and have tested Moneydance that is most widely recommended as an alternative, but there were horrible problems converting/transferring my existing mny file and was not nearly as easy to run or figure out.

So, from what I have read, these appear to be my options:

--install Virtual PC
--install Parallels
--install Crossover on an Intel MAC

If you have tried one or more of these options, especially with MS Money, please advise on:

--ease of installation
--ease and accuracy of transferring my mny files
--reliability of running Money
--cost comparsion, especially if I also have to purchase/install a Windows OS
--which MAC hardware/software to consider for reliability
--any other factors I may have missed

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help.
 
Try Crossover first.

If you go to your Apple menu under "Mac OS X Software..." you will find several native money programs that you can try out. I think they are as good as MS Money with all the Ads. They won't read your Microsoft Money file format but they read that univeral format that Money can export.
 
I'm also in the camp of preferring MS Money waaay over Quicken for the Mac. I look forward to the discussion in this thread... :)
 
Although I'm afraid I can't offer any advice I'd just also like to state my interest in this thread. I am trying to get my Aunt to switch over to Mac but the main problem so far has been her need for Microsoft Money. Hope someone has some solutions!
 
I have tried installing MS Money 2005 on Crossover 4 times already but it does not finish the installer properly.

Anyone has the same experience?
 
I have to run Microsoft Money 2004 occasionally to access some old transactions, and it runs just as well under Parallels on my iMac as it does natively on a Windows PC.
 
I was in the same boat, and I wanted to continue using MS Money because I also have Ultrasoft Money for my Palm PDA.

Here's my setup:
-MacBook Pro Intel with 1GB RAM
-Parallels 3.0
-MS Money 2005
-Parallels uses a Windows XP SP2 Boot Camp partition

It works, although it's pretty slow to start up XP in Parallels. From what I've heard, adding another gig of RAM will work wonders, and I plan to get around to that eventually. Once I'm in Money, it works perfectly and it's pretty fast.

As for set-up, the only problems I had were with Money (not with Parallels or anything Mac-related). I first installed Boot Camp and XP. Then, I installed Parallels and it recognized my Boot Camp right away. After installing Money, I just copied the Money.mny from my old computer to the new one over a USB drive. Here's where I had some problems, because apparently the version of Money on my old computer had been updated, so the Money.mny file couldn't be read by the newly installed version. After much frustration, I realized that I had to create a new Money file, THEN update the software, and THEN open the old Money file from the old computer.

Doug
 
I don't use MS Money, but have Quicken under Parallels. I have no problem with it.
 
I use MS Money 2005 on my 17" iMac.

After switching about 2 years ago (with an eMac) I tried so many different Mac apps to try and replicate MS money but to be honest I hated all of them.

The only one that comes close is Quicken, but I never managed to get on with it.

Now with the intel mac I run VMware to run a very cut down version of XP which i use for MS Money and some IM clients (my family in UK insist on using MSN for video :rolleyes: )

so.. VMware and stick with Money gets my vote
 
BornAgainMac said:
Try Crossover first.

If you go to your Apple menu under "Mac OS X Software..." you will find several native money programs that you can try out. I think they are as good as MS Money with all the Ads. They won't read your Microsoft Money file format but they read that univeral format that Money can export.
Click to expand...

Have you tried any yourself. How do they compare to Money and what is the final cost of running them?
 
I'm in the same boat - want to switch to a MacBook Pro, but don't want to give up MS Money. I'm thinking about switching to Quicken for the Mac. From everything I heard, Quicken and Money are fairly identical. Why are you not moving to Quicken?

~J.
 
hauntedcity said:
I was in the same boat, and I wanted to continue using MS Money because I also have Ultrasoft Money for my Palm PDA.

Here's my setup:
-MacBook Pro Intel with 1GB RAM
-Parallels 3.0
-MS Money 2005
-Parallels uses a Windows XP SP2 Boot Camp partition

It works, although it's pretty slow to start up XP in Parallels. From what I've heard, adding another gig of RAM will work wonders, and I plan to get around to that eventually. Once I'm in Money, it works perfectly and it's pretty fast.

As for set-up, the only problems I had were with Money (not with Parallels or anything Mac-related). I first installed Boot Camp and XP. Then, I installed Parallels and it recognized my Boot Camp right away. After installing Money, I just copied the Money.mny from my old computer to the new one over a USB drive. Here's where I had some problems, because apparently the version of Money on my old computer had been updated, so the Money.mny file couldn't be read by the newly installed version. After much frustration, I realized that I had to create a new Money file, THEN update the software, and THEN open the old Money file from the old computer.

Doug
Click to expand...


Sounds like it is complicated to install, difficult to transfer the mny file. What is the total cost of going this route?
 
Leopard is not the answer, go with Parallels

On the advice of one of you responding to my original post, I had the opportunity to consult by phone with a technician familiar with Leopard and other earlier suggested solutions. After explaining that I was only interested in using this Windows program (Money), he suggested I stick with Parallels. It works well with simpler programs and he only recommended Leopard if I were getting into more complex gaming and graphics.

So the solutions sounds like Mac with Parallels/windows OS to run money.

Please let me know if you have any further thoughts on this subject.
 
vixapphire said:
what about waiting a few weeks for leopard and/or downloading bootcamp beta, and installing windows on the mac that way?
Click to expand...

It'd prob be pretty annoying to have to restart your comp and go into bootcamp mode everytime you want to do your finances. I'm thinking running parallels with fast enough RAM is probably going to be the method I go with. I want to be connected to pocket money on my PDA so I'd want activesync running too.

As of right now, what is the latest version of money out there? does it run on Vista (that's what I'm running with my parallels)? Does it have a pocket version that it works with? I have sprint ppc-6700 right now but I'm planning on putting WM6 on there.
 
Crossover recommended

I've been using MS Money 2003 for over a year on my iMac 10.4 through Crossover. The recent upgrade to Crossover 6.2 eliminated some minor issues I was having and things run great. No need to reboot, it runs like any other application, except that internet access through Money is no longer an option.

After buying my iMac I tried 2 or 3 other personal finance software made for Mac, but nothing came close to the functionality I was accustomed to with Money.

You can view other Crossover users feedback at
https://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/group/?app_parent=2931

Older Money software such as 2003 is still widely available on Ebay.
:apple:
 
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