I have used quicken for windows for years. i use it to print checks, keep register, make reports (income comparison, P&L). i don't use it for online banking. it is a hassle using quicken windows via VMFusion,. i want to switch.
How is the beta version of quicken financial life? is it better than quicken mac 2007 for what i need to do? I need to decide now so 2009 will be on the mac side of my imac.
I have just completed the conversion from Windows to Mac. It's time consuming but not arduous. Just tedious beyond belief because you have to go account by account to repair broken links between inter-account transactions and replace those that simply disappear. The biggest trouble is with investment accounts, as it simply does not port over straight deposits and withdrawals.
I haven't yet tried the QFL Beta as it only imports from a QFM file, not QFW. I have no idea whether the full version of QFL will be able to import from QFW directly, or whether it will be any better than the current flawed process. Given Intuit's track record, it's not impossible to think that it might be worse.
I switched to QFM because Intuit is going to cease the download service for QFW 2006 users in April, meaning I had to upgrade to a new version. I have been running Quicken in Parallels on my Mac, but I want to get rid of this as it clogs up my Time Capsule (any change in any file means that TC backs up the whole 60GB Windows/Parallels file set as a new file).
QFM is ok. I prefer the Mac-style with multiple independent windows, but the look and feel is very basic compared to the Windows version. Example: you cannot have the cash flow graph on the calendar view - it's a separate item called "Forecast" hidden in the "Activities menu - and it's a simple line chart which looks like crap. The "Insights" window is supposed to be like the Home page, but it too looks horrible. The Net Worth chart looks like it's been faxed a dozen times and cannot be viewed in full screen. Further, downloaded transactions aren't available in the register window for that account; you have to go to a separate window and accept them into the register.
If QFL is anything like QFM, then - if you don't mind running the memory and power-hogging virtual Windows installation - stick with QFW. I'll live with QFM in order to dump my Windows installation, and keep my fingers crossed that QFL gets some TLC.
