Nearly bought a Macbook today

[seenett]

What can quicken do on windows that it can't do on the mac? Just curious

To be honest, I haven't shelled out the $70 for Quicken for Mac, so I can't answer from first hand experience. My basic online research shows many negative reviews (with virtually no positive ones):

No support for stocks/options
Is unstable on Intel macs
bloated codes, making it bigger and slower than the Windows version
no transaction downloads from banks
constant updates required
questions as to if Intuit will even continue to support Mac

Enough to make me stick with tried and true windows version.

 

[butterfly0fdoom]

Don't forget, for a time it was named, and still is in my experience, the MacBook Pro was the fastest Vista laptop...

It's now the second fastest Vista laptop. Which is still rather embarrassing.

Didn't MS use an iMac to demo Vista when it came out, as well?

And then there's the PowerMac G5s running Xbox 360 demo at E3 two/three-years back-ish.


That said, don't let one idiot ruin your experience. There's always idiots in the retail chain.

 

[f1]

Its unlikely you'll ever see Windows running on a display model mac at the apple store, it would be unusual for them to showcase a competitors OS.

Fn+Delete doesn't work under bootcamp but you can use 3rd party software like AutoHotKey to map any combinatino of keys to function as your backspace key. Also if you're absolutely DYING to see bootcamp in action you can ask for the "iPod computers" at the genius bar. Most genius bars have at least ONE computer that has windows installed to emulate a user who owns an iPod but uses a PC.

 

[147798]

To be honest, I haven't shelled out the $70 for Quicken for Mac, so I can't answer from first hand experience. My basic online research shows many negative reviews (with virtually no positive ones):

No support for stocks/options
Is unstable on Intel macs
bloated codes, making it bigger and slower than the Windows version
no transaction downloads from banks
constant updates required
questions as to if Intuit will even continue to support Mac

Enough to make me stick with tried and true windows version.

I did buy Quicken for Mac, and made the switch. Here's the real deal (at least as of now -- there were more problems earlier on)
The support for stocks and options is weak
It has been fine on my intel mac
It is native PPC, so has to run in Rosetta which makes it slower than it needs to be (think Microsoft Office 2004 type of experience)
You can download transactions from banks. However, smaller US institutions don't tend to support the mac users and international support is even sparser. Banks, however, often have some kind of basic download support, which you can then import in an extra step or two into QMac
I haven't experienced constant updates (maybe that was earlier on)
Intuit has said they will release a new version, but it will first be a "subset" of the current features. Not likely to be a player.

The look and feel and workflow of QMac is rougher than QWindows. However, you can do a number of changes in preferences which helps control the clutter and confusion (for example, one option -- close current register when opening another -- is a must, or you end up with about 12 windows open at the same time, but is not set as a default on install)

A major issue is that QMac doesn't support migrating your data from QWindows. It really, honestly cannot be done to any pleasing level. I wanted to chuck Windows so bad, I "started over" with my data, but not everyone wants to do that.

Overall, if you deal with major US financial institutions, don't have a lot of stocks and trading, you're willing to wade through relearning the interface and you are OK starting over w/your data, it's a workable solution. If you already need to run Windows (via bootcamp, parallels or VMWare) then just stay with QWindows.

 

[TheStu]

Its unlikely you'll ever see Windows running on a display model mac at the apple store, it would be unusual for them to showcase a competitors OS.

Fn+Delete doesn't work under bootcamp but you can use 3rd party software like AutoHotKey to map any combinatino of keys to function as your backspace key. Also if you're absolutely DYING to see bootcamp in action you can ask for the "iPod computers" at the genius bar. Most genius bars have at least ONE computer that has windows installed to emulate a user who owns an iPod but uses a PC.

Fn+Delete does actually work in Windows. in order to do a Ctrl+Alt+Del in Windows, you press Ctrl+Alt+Fn+Delete. And of course, the Delete key is backspace. This has worked since.... version 1.2 of the BootCamp drivers? Quite some time really. About as long as ctrl+click and 2 finger right clicking has worked in Windows.

The only thing that doesn't work is tap clicking.

 

[tjcampbell]

The bottom line is that if people don't want to use a mac then it's their loss.

 

[stenoboy]

The bottom line is that if people don't want to use a mac then it's their loss.

The bottom line is that you use the tools that best fit the job. I wanted to know if the Macbook did, but the guy in the shop wasn't prepared to help.

 

[Fuzzbear]

Just an FYI i visited 2 Apple stores on saturday to play with a Macbook Air, and both locations had an iMac with XP via Bootcamp up and running in store.

 

[9Z Electronics]

Wow!

So why buy a Mac if Windows can do it all for you? Don't misunderstand the question, I'm just curious, if you were fine with Windows taking care of all your software then why buy a Mac?

Why be such an ass? He has concerns and you dismiss them like the Apple employee did. Get a life and realize not everyone lives in your world. You give Apple users and the hardware a bad name. You are the most arrogant and condescending poster I have seen on these forums.

 

[Fuzzbear]

Why be such an ass? He has concerns and you dismiss them like the Apple employee did. Get a life and realize not everyone lives in your world. You give Apple users and the hardware a bad name. You are the most arrogant and condescending poster I have seen on these forums.

Funny you should say that, it made me think of something.

When I was talking to one of my buddies the other day and telling him I was thinking of switching to mac, the first words out of his mouth were.

"Are you going to start acting like a elitist p@#$&?"

Just thought it was funny.

 

[147798]

Funny you should say that, it made me think of something.

When I was talking to one of my buddies the other day and telling him I was thinking of switching to mac, the first words out of his mouth were.

"Are you going to start acting like a elitist p@#$&?"

Just thought it was funny.

Like any passionate discussion, there are people on both sides who aren't very nice. This is a Mac board, so you get the Mac side. Go to a PC board and mention you like Macs over PCs and get flamed by the gamers and PC DIYers. The biggest difference I've found is the Mac enthusiasts tend to be elitists ("you should just like it, or are you dumb?") while the PC enthusiasts tend to be vulgar ("you piece of &@#%! go to @&#$").

When you add anonymity via a chat site, people who's father beat them, tend to try and beat others. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's definitely a bad apple (or 80/20) rule. It's the few who make the whole community look bad.

 

[Yaboze]

I've been to several Apple stores in the NJ area and one of them was huge, I was impressed. It was in a newer style strip mall and had it's own typical front entrance. Everyone seemed nice inside and I had no complaints.

The other 2 stores were inside shopping malls. The stores were narrow but deep and very crowded all the time. They were also very hot inside. When I bought my Macbook I knew what I wanted, I didn't need the sales pitch. The guy I got was nice and helpful and wasn't talking down to me or trying push off some specials to me that I didn't want. I think he knew that I wasn't a total noob so basically he just fetched everything for me and that was that.

But, there was another guy there that just had this sneering, arrogant look. Standing there in his distressed jeans and new balances shoes and black apple shirt layered with long sleeve T underneath, along with that backstage pass necklace badge looking thing they were that helps distinguish them from mere mortals. Hehe.

I saw him talking to a few customers and he was really, really, a total fanboi and just sooo elitist. I'm glad I knew what I wanted and wasn't some n00b who was looking at Apples because he would have turned me right off. This guy was like a Jobs wannabe. Had the short beard, short hair, glasses and the black T kinda completed the transformation (it wasn't a black mock turtleneck but the effect was similar). I bet there was a statue of Steve J in the back and he would kneel before it during breaks.

Other than a few rotten apples (bad pun) the Apple Stores are not too bad and no other store looks or functions quite like them.

 

[djinn]

Can't be as bad as going into a Tiffany store. As soon as you step foot into the store security admittedly thinks your a threat. Happened to me when buying my wife a ring. My buddy just starred at him and laughed.

 

[9Z Electronics]

Funny you should say that, it made me think of something.

When I was talking to one of my buddies the other day and telling him I was thinking of switching to mac, the first words out of his mouth were.

"Are you going to start acting like a elitist p@#$&?"

Just thought it was funny.

My friends said the same thing years ago when I made the switch. When he comes down to visit he loves to use the MacBook I own and the 2GHz G5 iMac 20" I have in my kitchen. He is so opposed, philisophically, to the mindset of Apple users and the perceived elitist attitude that he would never consider the switch. He thinks of Mac users and young, free-spirited, anti-establishment types who look down their noses at you because of your choices in life - including the decision to use a PC (in his case). I guess I do not fit the mold of the widely accepted (real or perceived) Apple user as I am a libertarian, I own my own business, I am 35-years old, I have a family and I do not live and breath Apple - and most importantly I do not defend Apple at every step of the way. I like the product, it suites my needs and I enjoy using it. Make no mistake - Apple is a multi-billion dollar company and no matter what you think, they are no different than Microsoft insofar as they have share-holders and they are in business to make money. They are more responsive and offer a better product than Microsoft but they are still in business to reap profits - and in my world that is a GREAT thing as it drives this country AND the world as a whole.

I still have a PC and I run Parallel because there are specific applications I cannot run under OSX. Autocad for one (they no longer support or offer an updated version for Apple) and the software for my Sirius SL-100. I need Windows for some serial interface applications that will not run under Boot Camp or Parallels with a USB to serial converter. Do not dismiss others concerns because they may not apply to you - that is not only HUBRIS but ignorant and shows how shallow people can be - as well as how the public school system has failed the children of America with a lack of critical thinking and rational though.

I am happy there are others like me who are not bitter and do not feel the need to defend Apple at the expense of my dignity or the respect of others. When people raise a concern, real or perceived, people should try empathy - realize were they are coming from and try to offer CONSTRUCTIVE and COGENT comments. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone tried that?

Anyway - I digress, and I apologize for that. I felt like ranting a bit being Super Tuesday and all.

Darren

 

[ashjamben]

thinking about all the times i've been to the apple store to buy/ask for advice/bring something back i've always had particulary bad service.

 

[Consultant]

I am a recent "mac convert", and one of the final things that pushed me to a mac was the ability to run Windows - either via Boot Camp or virtualization. Apple knows this is a big deal; they even use it in their advertising.

I was also surprised how dismissive the Apple sales people are to any mention of the "W" word. Sorry, but there are just NOT equivalent mac applications for all windows applications. Seems to me that Apple has a history of making computers easy for computer novices, but at the retail level they are ignoring the growing number of windows users who are curious about macs. I was very put off by my first visit to an Apple store.

Apple makes it easy for both NOVICE AND PROFESSIONALS.

http://www.apple.com/science/profiles/microarraycentre/
http://www.apple.com/science/profiles/tbi/

That's like going to xbox retailer and asking them to show how the xbox integrates with the mac (yes it's possible if you really want to do that).

 

[Techguy172]

Why be such an ass? He has concerns and you dismiss them like the Apple employee did. Get a life and realize not everyone lives in your world. You give Apple users and the hardware a bad name. You are the most arrogant and condescending poster I have seen on these forums.

Did you read his post or even your own you the one who's being an *** He never said anything was wrong with their stuff stop being so protective it's nothing amazing just different and don't pull any of your "but it's the almighty steve jobs crap" just leave it alone windows is fine.

 

[Fuzzbear]

- I digress, and I apologize for that. I felt like ranting a bit being Super Tuesday and all.

Darren

Ah no need to apologize.

I only really started to seriously consider apple as an everyday machine for me when I heard they were going to make Bootcamp part of Leopard.

I remember the pitiful excuse for Windows Emulation that used to run on my Sisters old Centris 650.... oy

 

[DizzyRose]

In the UK Manchester Apple Store, the Genius Bar had Windows with bootcamp on their MacBook Pros.

 

[9Z Electronics]

Did you read his post or even your own you the one who's being an *** He never said anything was wrong with their stuff stop being so protective it's nothing amazing just different and don't pull any of your "but it's the almighty steve jobs crap" just leave it alone windows is fine.

Are you serious? Please RE-READ MY POST and HIS POST! Geesh! You must have my post confused with anther. I am FAR from an apple apologist. You should learn reading comprehension - or maybe the public schools in Canada have failed their children as well?

I defended this fellow and his post for running windows on a Mac. Please re-read the postings and remove your foot from your mouth - and while you are at it...I accept you apology.

 

[macenforcer]

When Boot Camp came out I asked the Sales guy about it and he acted like I made up a fairy tale. He did however have Parallels to show me but said it might get a virus if he boots it up.

Virus on boot up. LMFAO! LOL! HAHAHA!

 

[saltyzoo]

The salesman wasn't a fanboy. He was a bad salesman. They are everywhere.

Personally, buying Apple gear is a mixed experience for me. A little excitement over a new gadget mixed with the dread of knowing I'm going to have to deal with the Apple sales force. If I had the option to just walk in and pick up the box I want and buy it I'd be SOOO much happier with the experience.

 

[brn2ski00]

That story mildy hits home.

When I bought my 20" Aluminum iMac from the Apple Store in NH, I got some bad customer service as well. The woman who brought out my new iMac on a dolly was not only rude, but she brought out a box that looked like it had been through Nam. In any case, I kindly asked her to please bring me a new one (from the back which was about 10 yards away).... this basically set off WWIII. She gave me the dirtiest snarl and was like: "Dude, c'mon" And I was like: "I'm not your dude".

Needless to say, she got me a new one, but I am the paying customer and should get the product in brand new condition. Right?

 

[Consultant]

That story mildy hits home.

When I bought my 20" Aluminum iMac from the Apple Store in NH, I got some bad customer service as well. The woman who brought out my new iMac on a dolly was not only rude, but she brought out a box that looked like it had been through Nam. In any case, I kindly asked her to please bring me a new one (from the back which was about 10 yards away).... this basically set off WWIII. She gave me the dirtiest snarl and was like: "Dude, c'mon" And I was like: "I'm not your dude".

Needless to say, she got me a new one, but I am the paying customer and should get the product in brand new condition. Right?

I call BS. Apple Store DOES NOT sell anything with a damaged box.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I was so disappointed at his attitude and Apple have lost a sale. I was going to complain to the manager but didn't have the time as I needed to get away to meet someone.

Have an issue, here's a tissue. :'(