Existing users, 
First, Quicken is an excellent basic financial tool (I'd hate to be without it).
However, after reading Intuit's press release for Quicken 2007, I have to wonder what they have been doing all year ... especially the Mac programmer(s).
Quicken 2007 for Windows lists over 123 new features, based on extensive customer-focused surveys: http://quicken.intuit.com/commerce/catalog/fragments/quicken/products/improvements_2007.jhtml
Quicken 2007 for Mac boasts a grand total of four [count 'em, 4] new features: http://quicken.intuit.com/mac.jhtml?view=new&lid=prod_tab
(1) New! Easily download and track your 401(k) portfolio
Um, couldn't we do that before (except maybe the "easily" part)? The biggest problem I've seen is that many financial firms refuse to support Mac downloads. Banks, etc. have told me that Intuit wants to charge them separately for Mac support, and they refuse to pay.
(2) New! More detailed paycheck tracking
Wow!
(3) New! QuickEntry Widget
How long does it take to write a widget. An hour? A day? Note to Intuit: most widgets are given away free. After all, the technology is now built into Mac OS X.
(4) New! Know precisely what your balances and holdings are
I hate to pick on Intuit, but does this imply that previous versions of Quicken only allowed "imprecise" balances & holdings?
So, in summary, each of these "New!" features is priced at the bargain-basement price of $15 ($59.99 upgrade price), and took an average of three months to produce. And all this at the same price as the Windows version!
Also, I wonder if Intuit spent much time in fixing the bugs still evident in Quicken 2006? After all, Quicken is one of the few programs that still crashes on my machine (besides MicroSoft products, that is) [and luckily, the autosave feature works]. Also, did Intuit make any attempt at all to improve the Home Inventory program that has been limping along since 2004 or 2005?
Actually, we Mac users are pretty lucky, I guess. Just imagine how bad things could get if Steve's buddy Bill Campbell (Chairman of intuit) wasn't on Apple's board of Directors.
IMHO
Intuit Quicken 2007
financial management software
Version: R2
Intuit ... What did you do all year?
Feedback Type: Commentary
Contributed by: Bob K1 Tuesday, August 01 2006 @ 01:36 PM PDT
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Over One Year
Recommend Product: YES
Comments
Intuit ... What did you do all year? - Paul_Vail_674
Can I enter in my Harley Davidson dividends to the fourth decimal? I don't see that in the release (yes, I need that or should I just tell the IRS that I elect to use Quicken 'rounding' features for accounting and tax purposes?Can Quicken stop crashing every time I reconcile an account? No data damage done as far as I know, but I won't KNOW until it is too late.
Minor items to most folks, but a major pain to me. It's almost easier to track with a NeoOffice spreadsheet...
Please give more detail on your releases, Intuit!
Tuesday, August 01 2006 @ 06:17 PM PDT
Wait a minute ... - Doctor J
The Quicken blurb says:.
"Quicken Mac 2007 now delivers all the most important features and benefits of Quicken Deluxe 2007 for Windows along with exciting Mac exclusives that leverage the power of the Macintosh operating system."
.
That's not merely the four upgrades you mention. Perhaps they're lying; I haven't tried the new version, yet. However, your comment is not an accurate description of what they say they've done.
Wednesday, August 02 2006 @ 06:40 AM PDT
Wait a minute ... while Quicken 2006 reboots - Bob K1
Hi Doctor JYes, I agree with you: Intuit did say that in the "Features & Benefits" tab for Quicken Mac 2007 on their web site ["Quicken® Mac 2007 now delivers all the most important features and benefits of Quicken Deluxe 2007 for Windows ,,,"].
However, if you click on the tab right next to that one, labeled "What's new for 2007", you will see the four (and only four) "New!" features highlighted in red by Intuit so no one will miss them. Since Marketing folks, in general, are not prone to understatement, I am curious to hear what new features you feel that Intuit's Marketing Department failed to mention.
I'll leave it as an exercise for you to compare the new Quicken Mac 2007 version features to the "more than 123" new features in the three (3) new Quicken Windows 2007 versions. Perhaps you could post your findings here on this board. Seriously, it could help me to decide if I want to upgrade to Quicken Mac 2007.
Regards, BobK1
P.S. The best price I've found for Quicken Mac 2007 so far is $54.95 on Amazon. Anyone find a better deal yet?
Just for comparison, the Windows versions are available there for $29.95 (Basic), $44.95 (Deluxe) and $62.95 (Premier).
Wiat a minute! Didn't the Mac version used to be "Deluxe??? Oh, never mind ...
Wednesday, August 02 2006 @ 08:20 AM PDT
Intuit ... What did you do all year? - kbeatty
I couldn't agree more with everything you've listed. I would also add that in that entire time they didn't make the app universal binary. Quicken is an app designed specifically for consumers. Every one of Apple's consumer Macs ships with an Intel processor, and the new edition of Quicken doesn't support them natively. And I can tell you that performance wise Quicken takes a big hit on my MacBook Pro compared to my desktop G5.Reply to This
Tuesday, August 01 2006 @ 04:41 PM PDT