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Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : What's the best "QuickBooks"-type small biz software solution? - Switching to Mac


theotherrachel
09-27-2007, 05:12 PM
So yeah, I'm switching to Mac (a MacBook Pro, which I will now use as my primary home and travel computer), but just a few months ago I bought and started using QuickBooks Simple Start 2007 for my Windows PC. I really like it and spent a lot of time and effort getting this entire year's info entered into it. I made up my jazzy custom invoices, estimates, etc. Its functionality is perfect for my limited needs but now I'm switching over and wondering what to do next.

My options:

1) Just keep what I have running and stored on my Windows desktop PC, which will now move to a little desk in the corner of my home office.

2) Run Parallels or VMWare and move my files over to my MacBook.

3) Get an equivalent Mac-based accounting program and take the time to perhaps manually enter my information all over again.

4) Stick with 1) for now, wait for Leopard and the supposedly new-and-improved Boot Camp, and then use my Windows financial programs (I also actually still have all my personal financial info on MS Money 2004!) that way.

Here's what I'm worried about. With 1) perhaps this is the best option? I mean, do I absolutely need my accounting software on a portable computer? Maybe not. Although, I do pretty much use it every day and going back and forth between desks might be a pain.

With 2), and I don't know why, I have this overwhelming fear of running a Windows simulator on my new MacBook. I feel like, if I'm switching, why take the chance of using this software that reportedly can crash and lock-up a lot (I even heard of major system failure and data loss?!?). I want to maintain my ridiculously expensive computer in pristine condition and not send it crashing around with this potentially unstable software.

With 3), this sounds all well and good, but I don't have any clue what would be a good equivalent software. Sounds like everyone hates QuickBooks Pro for Mac, and there are just crazy mixed reviews for Billings, Billable, MYOB and iBiz and the like. And there's a lot of extra work involved (at least an entire day or two) migrating everything over manually, when I like the way I have everything set up now.

With 4), I don't know. Is Boot Camp a pain or not so bad, and a step-up in terms of performance/stability from Parallels/VMWare?

Anyone still with me want to weigh in? Please? :o

MD
09-27-2007, 05:23 PM
they make quickbooks for mac ... it used to come on the professional computer models, Quickbooks NUE (New user edition)

Check out your application folder maybe you will get lucky :p

DonnaL
09-27-2007, 07:43 PM
I have a macbookpro running XP with bootcamp... the only downfall is switching... I'm not that crazy about VMware and just do the reboot option. I'm still running Tiger and probably won't switch to Leopard until all the bugs and fixes are out...

Quickbooks we use at work (for mac) and basically............ it S*CKS! I guess it's a matter of preference once you get your mac....

Go visit a http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/ and have a look at what people have to say about Bootcamp and VMware....

Personally for me... Bootcamp runs perfectly.. I've tried VMWare and I just have nothing but problems. And I run my accounting software from the PC... but I have Quicken Professional.. not quickbooks.

hewligan
09-27-2007, 09:13 PM
You could always take a look at GNUCash (http://www.gnucash.org/). I've never really used it, so I don't know how good it is (I have absolutely no use for financial software) - but it's free and cross-platform. So even if it sucks, trying hasn't cost you anything.

theotherrachel
09-28-2007, 05:12 PM
Yes, maybe Boot Camp is the way to go. And no, QuickBooks New User Edition did not come preloaded. Maybe they stopped since everyone seems to hate it so much?

The only reason I thought I might wait till Leopard is because supposedly Boot Camp will be easier to use/set up? How hard is it now?

And really...no one is using a good business accounting program on Mac? Man. Oh well, still attached to the Windows world there, for now.

Vectorized
09-29-2007, 01:45 PM
I use MYOB FirstEdge. It's not all that expensive, comparatively ($99), and it's perfect for a small business - more specifically, sole proprietorship. It even has payroll if you happen to have an employee or two. I think it's easy to use and I've never had any trouble with it. That's just my two cents! Oh, and did I mention that I'm numerically challenged? All that bookkeeping stuff makes my head hurt.