In general, 2011 seems identical to 2007. I don't need the newer features. I did notice that during reconciliation that often the program added incorrectly.
Has anyone else had these same problems?
UPDATE 12 5 10 (earlier posts are below): Since my previous update below, I've exchanged a couple emails with Mr. William Lynes at Intuit, apparently the same person who responds to other (critical) reviews here. He seems sincere in trying to help, offering to look at my company file if I would upload it to Intuit (an offer I turned down) and answering questions about one or two issues I had. The one problem I wrote about below, concerning a memorized report which looks different in QB2011 than it did in QB2007, was NOT resolved by Mr. Lynes, and I am not willing to upload my company file to Intuit as he requested to find out why. This issue is not a "deal killer" for me, though I wish it was resolved.
My conclusion for now after spending perhaps 20 hours testing QB2011 on my former QB2007 file (using a separate computer running Snow Leopard): For my business, the upgrade to QB2011 will allow me to finally start running Snow Leopard on my main business Mac. That's the ONLY reason I'm considering the upgrade. I would continue using QB2007 if it ran OK on Snow Leopard, but it does not. So, I will probably, reluctantly, upgrade soon. If you are just starting out with a business finance program, and are considering Quickbooks 2011 for the Mac, my advice is to 1.) carefully read the reviews here and elsewhere on the internet from Mac/QB users; 2.) take a good, long look at the alternative business/finance software out there before making your decision. As you'll read here and elsewhere, few people seem to REALLY LIKE Quickbooks and Intuit, but some of us are stuck with them to varying degrees as our systems have been running QB for years. A lot of us wish it were otherwise. The commendable efforts of Mr. Lynes aside, Intuit as a company seems to have really ticked off a large percentage of its Quickbooks/Mac customers.
UPDATE 10 14 10: My original review, written last week, still applies, but I have had a friendly response (see posts below) from Mr. Lynes at Intuit offering to try to resolve the report problem I discussed below using QB 2011. I will indeed contact him privately and see what he can do, but first I wanted to do more testing so that any other issues might be addressed at the same time. I haven't had time to complete this testing yet, but when I do, I will post info here. I have seen a couple other issues during testing, for example, when clicking "Previous" in the Sales Receipts window, I can only back up about a month before QB2011 gives me an error sound and stops going back in time. I can get to earlier receipts by running a report and clicking through to an earlier time, but for some reason I can't just click to go back as I currently do in QB 2007 (I do this to check that sales tax was correctly applied to each transaction, before I file monthly taxes). I did have one crash while doing this (trying to go back). Anyway, I will report here when I've finished testing, next week I hope, and when I've then given Mr. Lynes a chance to respond to the issues I've seen. I'm trying to run every scenario I normally use in QB 2007, and it takes considerable time.
Original review (edited during updates listed above here):
I have continued to use Quickbooks Pro 2007 on my "main" Mac as the previous newer versions (QB 2009 and 2010)were initially too buggy or caused other problems for me (and many other users, as you can read in numerous reviews). I gave up on using them (via free trial versions) and kept running QB 2007. Now, like a moth to the flame, I downloaded the QB 2011 trial version (in late September, 2010, before it was available for sale on Amazon) from the Quickbooks/Mac site...you can run it for 30 days without paying/registering, which I strongly suggest you do before purchase. I am running the new QB 2011 on a Mac laptop with Snow Leopard (10.6.x) (the required operating system) completely separate from my main computer which is safely running the 2007 version for our business. This older Mac is still on Leopard, 10.5.x, in large part so it can still run QB 2007. QB 2007 will not run normally on Snow Leopard, it exhibits several odd behaviors you don't want to see in the middle of your business finances.
So, over on the laptop with Snow Leopard 10.6.x and QB 2011: The conversion from my old data file (a backup copy of it, of course) to QB 2011 was completed without a hitch. But the first report I ran in QB 2011, a customized report I'd set up in my earlier version, is now formatted incorrectly. Without getting too detailed, instead of the list I used to get with this report, I now get only a total. I use this report every day to print deposit slips so it's a major deal for me. I fooled around with the new (to me) report customizing interface and cannot create the same report format I had earlier. I'm a reasonably techy guy, I gave it 20 minutes and quit. In fairness I should say that other customized reports from my old data file seem to display normally though I have not reviewed all of them. I admit my past experiences with QB 2009/2010 have biased me, I was expecting problems and indeed found one in 5 minutes of use. I'm still testing QB 2011 (I've got a couple hours with it side by side with QB 2007 at this writing), but I don't really need the newer features they are touting, I'd just like to use QB on a Mac running Snow Leopard without having to reconfigure reports or encountering other unforeseen problems.
My PC was dying, so I switched to the Mac version of QB, figuring it would be great on my new Mac. WRONG! It would have been better to buy an inexpensive PC laptop just to run QB than to buy this terrible product. I don't know how they botched it when the PC version is so good. They said that they built it from the ground up for MAC, but they forgot all the features that make the PC version so good. I strongly recommend keeping your PC version of QB if that's what you already have!
Just a short list of the irritating features of the MAC version:
1. Can't use a memorized transaction without right clicking and selecting USE. Should have a shortcut.
2. Can't sort checking register by anything other than date. Would be useful to sort by check number or cleared status.
3. When you open general journal, can't scroll back to the previous entry to see what # you were on. Hard to see what # you should entry.
4. The closing date on the checking reconciliation doesn't show up until you are done reconciling and select whether or not to print the reconciliation report. The closing date should be entered on the initial screen.
5. Can't make an accountant's copy on a MAC. Can go to File>Utilities>Copy company file for PC. But, you won't be able to merge changes back (so you can't work on your copy until you receive back the changes from the accountant and then you re-install the accountant's copy). Also, you both need to be using the same year. Another option is to log in remotely.
6. No easy was to transfer funds between two different accounts (i.e. checking to saving)
7. No printing of a reconciliation report for credit card reconciliations. Is there a closing date field?
8. You can't open the checking register until you first open "Write Checks." You should be able to open "Use Register" and then select a checking account.
9. Really simple shortcuts like being able to tab to the next button are missing.
No time to customize? Choose from a variety of newready-made templates and instantly look more professional.
Save time and easily manage your business on a Mac. Organize your finances all in one place and save time by tracking the money going in and out of your business.
Single-User License
This license allows you to install Intuit QuickBooks 2011 for Mac for a single user. A three-user license is also available. QuickBooks 2011 for Mac looks and works the way you'd expect a Mac to.
Easily Manage Your Business on a Mac
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Save time completing everyday tasks like tracking and managing expenses, invoicing, and printing checks. Process your payroll right within QuickBooks using Intuit QuickBooks Payroll for Mac (additional fees apply). Save money and time by processing card transactions directly through QuickBooks for Mac with Intuit Merchant Service for QuickBooks for Mac (additional fees apply).Stay Organized, Accurate and on Top of Your Business
From the Home Page to the Customer, Vendor, and Transaction Centers to the Company Snapshot, QuickBooks for Mac makes it easy to access what you need, when you need it. QuickBooks also lets you choose from over 100 standard reports to see where your business stands. And it supports both Web Connect and Direct Connect, making it easy to quickly import downloaded bank and credit card transactions from participating financial institutions into QuickBooks.Customize QuickBooks to Meet Your Unique Needs
Personalize forms, like estimates, invoices, statements and more, by adding logos, images, and fonts with Layout Designer. Customize your toolbar to access key tasks in a single click.Exclusively for Mac
Work on the platform you prefer and get the most out of your Mac--sync your contacts with Address Book back up files to your MobileMe account, and add reminders directly to iCal. Easily share your data with your accountant or other Windows-based users. QuickBooks 2011 for Mac requires Mac OS X v, 10.6.Easy to Setup, Learn and Use
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Try QuickBooks for up to 60 days at no risk. If you're not 100% satisfied for any reason, please call Intuit customer service within 60 days of purchase to request a refund. To process your request, the agent will need the product license number located on the CD.Key Features
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Prevent painful data loss by backing up your QuickBooks file to MobileMe (requires MobileMe account sold separately). Choose one-time or ongoing automatic backup. You can restore it at any time. Save typing time and errors by effortlessly synchronizing contact information between QuickBooks and your Mac.
Organize your customer, vendor, and transaction information in one place.
Share your QuickBooks data with Windows-based users, such as your accountant.
Synchronize Contacts With Mac OS X Address Book
Never enter a phone number or address twice. Save typing time and errors by effortlessly synchronizing contact information between QuickBooks and your Mac Address Book, cell phone, PDA or other iSync-compatible applications. Activate QuickBooks Contact Sync, and selected contacts appear automatically in Address Book. Update a contact in Address Book...the changes automatically appear in QuickBooks. Leave the feature active to keep contact information, including email addresses, up-to-date at all times.Add Reminders to iCal
QuickBooks integrates with iCal so you can be reminded to print invoices and checks or to pay bills in one consolidated calendar and never miss a bill payment. Simply check the box next to "Show in iCal" on any invoice and a reminder is added to your calendar. And if you later decide to change the payment terms on the invoice in QuickBooks, iCal is automatically updated with the new due date.Share Data With Your Accountant or Other Windows-Based Users
Share your QuickBooks data with Windows-based users, such as your accountant. Send a Mac file to a Windows user (who can update it) and the Windows user can send it back. Just click the toolbar icon: "Backup to QuickBooks Windows". As QuickBooks creates the backup, it simultaneously creates a PDF file of simple instructions for opening and sending back the file. Send both files to your accountant or Windows user.Become a More Confident QuickBooks for Mac User
Visit Little Square, a free, online magazine created especially for QuickBooks 2011 for Mac users to help answer your questions. The magazine includes videos and columns written by QuickBooks for Mac accountants, advanced users, and the QuickBooks for Mac product team. Internet access required.Save Time When Tracking Your Finances
Easily Print Checks, Pay Bills & Track Expenses
Easily print checks, pay bills & track expenses. Aggregate all your checks to be paid and print them in one batch. QuickBooks will keep track of each check so you can keep tabs on where your money is going. Enter bills from vendors. Since QuickBooks organizes everything in one place, you'll be able to access all past payments & bills for each vendor with just a few clicks.Track Sales, Sales Taxes & Customer Payments
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Receive payments from customers easily using integrated credit & debit card processing (additional fees apply).Manage Payroll and Payroll Taxes; offer Direct Deposit (Sold Separately)
QuickBooks Payroll for Mac allows you to easily manage payroll online and export data into your QuickBooks software (additional fees apply).E-mail Invoices, Estimates, Reports & Statements
Save time and work more efficiently when you e-mail forms to your customers and vendors.Track Time, Expenses, and Miles
Make billing customers faster and easier when you track time and job costs. And use mileage tracking to stay on top of your job-related mileage for reimbursement at tax time.Create Professional-Looking Invoices and Forms
Personalize forms, like estimates, invoices, and statements quickly and easily. Add logos, images, and fonts to templates and create your own custom forms. No time to customize? Choose from a variety of newready-made templates and instantly look more professional. Customize the Company Snapshot to create a personalized overview of your business and see what's most important to you.
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Organize Data All in One Place With Customer and Vendor Centers
Find what you need, when you need it with the Customer and Vendor Centers. These Centers consolidate key information onto a single screen. The next time a customer calls with a question about his account, simply go to the Customer Center to see his contact information and complete transaction history.Get a Customized Overview of Your Business With the Company Snapshot
Customize the Company Snapshot to create a personalized overview of your business and see what's most important to you.Purchase Multiple User Licenses and Allow Multiple Users to Work in QuickBooks at the Same Time
Multiple-user functionality enables more than one person to work on a company file at the same time, increasing collaboration and productivity. It ensures that all users are working on the most up-to-date data.One-Click Business Reports
Get pre-designed, customizable business reports to gain insights into your business. See all available reports in one screen to easily choose the right one. Drill down with one click to see the detail behind the numbers. Export any report to Excel or Numbers--your QuickBooks formatting and formulas go with it.Effortlessly Track Bills and Set Due-Date Reminders
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Everyday tasks just got more efficient. Easy to set up, learn and use, QuickBooks for Mac can quickly organize your business finances and show you exactly where you stand. Instantly create invoices, track payments, manage expenses, and access information.
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