To Switch or Not To Switch? That is the question
I run QW2015 on a Mac with Parallels and will need to update to 2018 soon as support ends early 2018. I tried to use QM2016 about a year+ ago but found it too different from the Win version to be useful (at least for me). How similar is the new QM2018 to the QW2018 version so that; a. I don't loose much historical data, and b. the navigation/interface is similar so that there is a shorter learning curve. The only reason I'm running Parallels is to use QW.
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Good luck. Please keep posting. Thanks.
It'll be up to you if Quicken Mac suits your needs, but just to let you know, if you purchase 2018, you will get both versions of the product (Windows and Mac) for the same price; so, you can always try the Mac product and see if it works for you; if not, then you can use the Windows product. Both Mac and Windows Quicken versions will convert existing data files, though you may lose some more advanced investing information when you convert from Windows to Mac.
Hope this helps,
Quicken Kathryn
Community Administrator
https://getsatisfaction.com/quickencommunity/topics/faq-converting-from-quicken-for-windows-includin...
In your case, you can skip steps 1 and 2 but review all the prep and background info before:
https://www.quicken.com/support/things-do-converting-your-data-quicken-mac-2016
NOTE: Be aware that at this time, it is very difficult to convert back from Mac to Windows, as there are many problems with the reverse conversion process.
I also suggest that you make sure that Quicken 2018 for Mac will meet your needs, since it was re-written from the ground up (starting in 2010 with Quicken Essentials) and is not the same product as the Windows version, so there are some features that are still not there e.g. full loan amortization*, 2-line display, QuickMath, or are not as fully developed yet, e.g. Customized Reports, some investment performance reports and stats (therefore some data may not carry over). You can start here:
http://www.quicken.com/mac/compare
*NOTE: Support for fixed rate loans has been released as of QM2017 v4.5.x but there is no announced timing for support for variable rate or simple daily interest loans.
You may want to review the List of Obstacles and Hindrances for Migrating from QM2007 or QWin to Quicken for Mac. Add your vote to any features that are missing for you. Your VOTES matter!
Be aware of data that will and will not carry forward:
https://www.quicken.com/support/what-data-gets-carried-over
Then look at the updates since the original release here:
https://www.quicken.com/support/2018-release-quicken-mac-release-notes
You will also want to look at a more detailed comparison done by a SuperUser which also identifies nuances not mentioned elsewhere (and read on for comments from other users too on that same discussion thread):
https://getsatisfaction.com/quickencommunity/topics/can-anyone-who-has-switched-from-2007-to-2015-he...
Take a look at the following videos to give you a better idea:
https://www.youtube.com/user/QuickenMac
Note that there are many differences that are rather subtle, that are not necessarily identifiable via documentation, for example, the 12-month budget feature does not allow including transfers, including investment income, selecting specific accounts, or have rollover capability.
If you find that QM2018 does not meet your needs, the alternative is to run Quicken for Windows in a virtual machine on your Mac. There are 5 popular products you can use: Parallels, VMWare Fusion, Oracle VirtualBox, Bootcamp or CrossOver. The first 4 require you to also buy a copy of Windows. The first 2 cost $50-80, the third and forth are free. CrossOver also costs about $50-$80 but does NOT require you to buy Windows.
If you plan to keep your PC & Mac, you could also run Quicken on the PC and use remote access (several free options, e.g. NoMachine and Teamviewer) to access Quicken from your Mac (or even a tablet or phone) (see this great article for complete review of many options (most are free): http://machow2.com/rdp-for-mac/ ).
(If you find this reply helpful, please be sure to click "Like", so others will know, thanks.)
- Where to find a Help Guide for Quicken for Mac?
- Quicken Mac FAQ list
- Quicken Windows FAQ list
- Help Guide and FAQs for Quicken Mobile
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Quicken should eliminate the LARGE Ad space when a subscription expires
(Canadian Q user since '92, STILL using QM2007)
I was in a similar situation to you until a few months ago – a long-time Windows user (20+ years) running 2017 Premier in Parallels. When my 8-year old iMac started showing signs of slowing down, I bought a new one and installed QMac 2017. I've been running both versions in parallel for the past three months (Windows on the old machine and Mac on the new one). I have to say that the Mac version suits me just fine. I have investments – mostly mutual funds – and the program does pretty much everything I want it to do. The reporting is still not up to the Windows capabilites, but I can get almost everything I need. The rest, I'm just being patient waiting for.
One more piece of information for all those wondering about making the switch. I looked at the Mac version in 2015 and 2016 and decided not to keep it because it wasn't ready for my needs yet. In fact, I was fortunate enough to be on the Mac beta testing team for 2016. I have to compliment Quicken on 2017 – it is much improved and I actually like some aspects of it more than the Windows version.
I'm not ready to jump into 2018 yet, mostly because I just bought 2017. Thanks to all the Quicken Community members who are posting here about issues with the new version so that it can be improved even more.
Thanks again.
Quicken user since 1991
Again, thank you to all who have so quickly replied with so much helpful information.