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iSteve · 05:19 PM

Hey all..

I'm a switcher in process. Will be ordering my iMac tomorrow.. I need some help. Currently I use MicroSoft Money 2006, and I need to know what is the best MONEY program for the Mac? I need something to do my checkbook on. Any suggestions??

Thanks.

mduell · Jun 20, 2006, 08:56 PM

Quicken is available, but it's not nearly as good as the Windows version.

The best personal finance program for Mac is Money running on Windows inside Parallels VM.

iSteve · Jun 20, 2006, 08:57 PM

Okay.. I'm a newbee here.

What exactly is Parallels VM? or do you have a link? Thanks for the quick response too.

Trying to get everything ready here to order my Mac..

Thinine · Jun 20, 2006, 10:18 PM

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/

A virtual system that can run Windows while you're running OS X.

iSteve · Jun 20, 2006, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Thinine

http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/

A virtual system that can run Windows while you're running OS X.

Has anyone run into any trouble running Parallels? Incompatibility issues?? looks good tough.. Most likely a "buy" program for me.

icruise · Jun 20, 2006, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Quicken is available, but it's not nearly as good as the Windows version.

The best personal finance program for Mac is Money running on Windows inside Parallels VM.

I've only used Quicken very casually. What exactly is so bad about the Mac version that it would merit using a Windows program in Parallels rather than use the Mac version?

teszeract · Jun 20, 2006, 11:20 PM

Aha. I'll point you in a few directions but I am also evaluating two final contenders myself.

But a quick recap of my research:

GnuCash - don't attempt unless you are a programmer, or masochist.
iBank - I bought it - but it's too slow.
iCash - under evaluation
MoneyDance - too unmaclike - gave upp on it within minutes. Meaning arrow keys, tabbing, esc key etc etc just don't work. I think its a Java application which may the reason.
Liquid Ledger - along with iCash, seems promising.
All the others on MacUpdate & VersionTracker are too "light" for my needs. Which are not much, I must add.

All I want to do is be able to import my bank statements from a download, categorise them, and pull up reports (not charts) every now and then. Good search is essential.

I'll post back with my research.

also, see:
http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal...ance-software/

there's some links off this excellent page as well.

teszeract · Jun 20, 2006, 11:22 PM

Oh, and I must add that so far, MS Money is the gold standard for me. Virtual PC and Parallels are options, but wouldn't it be nice to do without Windows?

teszeract · Jun 20, 2006, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by Icruise

I've only used Quicken very casually. What exactly is so bad about the Mac version that it would merit using a Windows program in Parallels rather than use the Mac version?

Quicken does not have good international supprt for one. Please google this because ... er .. because... um ... well, there's too much.

iSteve · 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by teszeract

Aha. I'll point you in a few directions but I am also evaluating two final contenders myself.

But a quick recap of my research:

GnuCash - don't attempt unless you are a programmer, or masochist.
iBank - I bought it - but it's too slow.
iCash - under evaluation
MoneyDance - too unmaclike - gave upp on it within minutes. Meaning arrow keys, tabbing, esc key etc etc just don't work. I think its a Java application which may the reason.
Liquid Ledger - along with iCash, seems promising.
All the others on MacUpdate & VersionTracker are too "light" for my needs. Which are not much, I must add.

All I want to do is be able to import my bank statements from a download, categorise them, and pull up reports (not charts) every now and then. Good search is essential.

I'll post back with my research.

also, see:
http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal...ance-software/

there's some links off this excellent page as well.

WOW, so I guess I wasn't the only one.. I love <BIG COUGH> MS Money.. I have used it for years and really hate to loose all my transactions to start all over on the iMac. But if there is a program similar then it's worth it.

Please, keep us posted as to what you can find out.. I really need this within a week. I'm anticipating my iMac to be here by no later then Friday of next week.

wataru · Jun 21, 2006, 12:36 AM

To the OP: Please use more descriptive thread titles.

iSteve · Jun 21, 2006, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by wataru

To the OP: Please use more descriptive thread titles.

icruise · Jun 21, 2006, 04:08 PM

What's with that emoticon? Wataru is right. The title of this thread tells us nothing about your question. I had read the thread yesterday, and I still couldn't remember what it was about when I came here again today. Titles like this are also specifically mentioned in the general forum rules.

tooki · Jun 21, 2006, 04:34 PM

Spot on. Good thread titles are essential to the smooth functioning of a forum.

tooki

ghporter · Jun 21, 2006, 04:39 PM

Our posting rules require descriptive and informative titles. Really. It's because doing so keeps people from ignoring your post and it keeps you from getting upset and rude when you don't get any answers.

iSteve · Jun 21, 2006, 05:18 PM

Well excuse me, let me see if I have enough room / edit it.

iSteve · Jun 21, 2006, 05:25 PM

Okay, I fixed all descriptions, just excuse me, sometimes with me being new to mac, it's hard to explain what I'm trying to do.. Just hope I can find a good checking account program for the Mac.

tooki · Jun 21, 2006, 05:33 PM

You can only edit thread titles for 5 minutes after creating it. You can ask a moderator to change it for you, though. But hopefully you will remember to use good titles in the future!

tooki

teszeract · Jun 25, 2006, 03:07 PM

So, I've ruled out Liquid Ledger. Its incomplete for my money (CAD$75). No search or filtering, password protection, no budgeting, limited reports, no contextual menus. Which is a pity cause its really fast compared to the other contenders.

iCash looks like the second most likely contender next to....

msmoney

iSteve · Jun 25, 2006, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by teszeract

So, I've ruled out Liquid Ledger. Its incomplete for my money (CAD$75). No search or filtering, password protection, no budgeting, limited reports, no contextual menus. Which is a pity cause its really fast compared to the other contenders.

iCash looks like the second most likely contender next to....

msmoney

Is there a trial version of iCash???

teszeract · Jun 26, 2006, 06:00 PM

Indeed there is. I wouldn't consider an app that did not have a trial period.

http://www.maxprog.com/downloads.html

Unfortunately the demo is limited to 100 entries. Liquid Ledger has the better option of 60 days unlimited use.

This is SUCH a bothersome issue because I am now considering Liquid Ledger again - I have written to them asking for some answers to pertinent questions. In the meantime, I am going to continue to use iBank until I make my mind up. Bank charges wait for no man,