Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Wish I had read the reviews here before I purchased 2004. Prior Quicken I had was 1999, which was far simplier, and less cluttered. Getting downloads from internet on mutual funds (my reason for buying 2004) is extremely difficult, and for $1.95/min that Intuit charges (plus the cost of phone call - no 800 #) I will never get "bugs" worked out. I am unable to download new transactions into existing mutual fund accts (which have all the history), and would have to set up separate files for each mutual fund, then import/export history, and even then I would need to go into separate files for each mutual fund.
Also, could not get it to backup on cd from Quicken Prog, need to go into Windows Explorer and copy to disc. All in all, wish I had never "upgraded" -- this is dated 5 years more recent than my previous program, but virtually no functions are easier to use. Maybe the fact that they have no 800#, and that they charge $1.95/min reflects the lack of confidence they have in their product (and their understanding that users will not be able to seemlessly "upgrade" w/out requiring technical assistance)!
Rating: 
Summary: Very buggy and confusing interface
Review: I have been using Intuit products for many years, especially Quickbooks Pro and Quicken Home and Business. I must say that with each new version, it does not get easier...just more complicated and buggier. I am probably one of the few who have successfully used Quickbooks Premier Contractor 2003, but I can't say the same for Quicken Premier Home and Business 2004. I have spoken to tech support and they said they've had no problems at all with this software. I found the interface very busy. What happened to my simple checkbook register where I write checks? There's now a "Home" column on the lefthand side of the register that lists categories. It took me awhile to find my personal checking account listing. That "Home" column is permanent, something you cannot delete and it takes up too much room. At least with the QB 2001 I could "X" out the bottom pane. There's no hope with this. You can expand the register box, and kind of shrink the annoying column. It's a busybox! I have a problem with delayed response from the keyboard. The words are delayed by about 2 seconds as I'm typing...very annoying. And if I hold down the Backspace key, it stutters backwards to erase something. I placed a call twice to Intuit. First rep said she never heard of this. I told her I have. Told me to uninstall the software, copy CD to harddrive, and reinstall in Safe Mode. Said it would correct the delayed typing, since she felt that no drivers would load and I should use "Custom" installation and put it in a new folder. Didn't work. Don't waste your time. Same problem exists. Called again and second tech said that Quicken 2004 doesn't like my computer. Gee, thanks. He said it's something in my database that is causing the delayed typing. I told them when they get enough calls from irate customers, please put out a patch, that it isn't just me I'm sure. I told them from what I've been reading, their new improved software stinks. QB Home & Bus 2001 worked flawlessly. My advice: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I should have listened to myself.
Rating:
Summary: Every Year it's WORSE
Review: Intuit is slowing destroying Quicken. Every year the user interface gets more confusing, etc, the program gets more buggy and the customer service gets worse. Take my advice...if you just want a program to keep your checkbook on, or run a small business on, then try to find a old copy of Quicken for DOS ver8. I have run it with no problems in Win 95,98 and Xp. IT IS MUCH EASIER TO USE THAN THE WINDOW VERSIONS and it actually came with a USER's manual that was one of the best every written. You don't have all the fancy online bill paying, etc of the windows versions, but for basic stuff you will run rings around a Quicken for Windows user. The basic program has not been improved one bit since this version!!! and the manual itself will help you a tremendously if you decide to go with windows version.
Rating:
Summary: I used to love Quicken.... but not anymore.
Review: Wow, lots of bugs. I have used Quicken since about 1995 I have continued to purchase the latest revision of software to "keep up" on things, but I assure you this is the last time. I can't believe a company like Intuit would really allow so many software bugs. Quicken has basically evolved into a bunch of layers on top of layers. As they have continued to make new modules, the modules don't seamlessly fit together - this makes things confusing. Truly, Quicken needs to be redesigned from the bottom-up. I'm switching to Microsoft Money, which will import my quicken data.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid Quicken 2004
Review: Quicken 2004 has a bug which will affect your computer's system and stop it from going into Standby or Hibernate power saving modes. This is a known bug and has been documented by Microsoft in their Knowledge Base Article. The worst thing is that Intuit knows about the problem from previous versions and has issued updates to fix the older versions but has not incorporated the fix into Quicken 2004. Intuit Tech Support stated that they will fix bugs after users report them. Apparently Intuit expects us to pay for their buggy product, test it, report the problems to them, and maybe they may fix it later.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid Quicken 2004
Review: After using Quicken for the past 11 years, I can say through experience that this is the worst product they've ever released. I have used this version for 2 days, and I've reported 5 bugs, and at least 2 of them are critical. I've posted the following on various newsgroups: Income/Expense graphs show internal transfers as actual income and expense, in spite of checking the "Exclude Internal Transfers" option. This renders the reporting options effectively unusable. 2003 worked fine, broken in 2004. Net Worth graph on home page can not show more than 12 months. If it does, program crashes on startup and corrupts data file. Rate change on a closed loan causes program crash. Backup option always prompts for overwrite, even if you have checked the "Do not show this next time" option. Version 2004 causes cursor stuttering or response lag while typing within the application. My advice, as an experienced and knowledgeable longtime Quicken user, wait at least 6 months for bug fixes, and even then, be skeptical. I am VERY disappointed that Intuit would let such a weak product slip out the door like this. I plan to mail my copy back to Intuit for a full refund. For anyone else who learns the hard way like I did, the Intuit address for refunding your purchase within 60 days is:
Intuit, Inc.
Returns Department
6060 Nancy Ridge Drive
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92121-3290
Rating:
Summary: Getting worse
Review: I've been a Quicken user since Managing Your Money evaporated. I've been upgrading to the new annual versions every year in the hope the product defects and in-program advertising were either eliminated or corrected. They get worse every year. If you want to use the simplest portions of the program, it'll probably be okay for you. But if you use it for all your household finances, you'll find frustrating problems that the manufacturer doesn't seem to want to correct and they charge for support. Free support is available online, but after hours of writing back and forth with support personnel, most problems are handled with the description, "Product Defect". Good luck, and checkout other programs. Better yet, write Andrew Tobias an email and ask him to bring Managing Your Money back.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Program Lots of little bugs
Review: I used quicken from the beginning. Last year was the first time I did not upgrade. This is a very nice program. It has lots of little bugs - It does not consistently hold its sorting order in the register. Menus that one checks i.e. don't show this menu again - the program just ignores your instruction. They don't have free phone support like the used to just a few years ago. They could be more friendly to you as a customer. In the long run a company always does better by being kind to its customers. The short term profit drives almost everything today. Mabey they will change in the future!
Rating: 
Summary: The back up routine is Buggy
Review: The back up routine is buggy. It leaves a file name Q3.DIR as a stray on your desktop even after you told it to back up to a certain media device elsewhere. Each time you go to back up, a message pops up asking you if you know that there is a file with the same name and do you want to over write it. There is a box you can click if you do not want to see this screen and question again. Clicking this box does nothing.. Other then these few back up problems the program seems to be working ok. I haven't had time to check the math yet but it looks ok. If Quicken 2003 was working ok for you Save your time and money until intuit fixes the few back up bugs and what ever else may come up with this new program. The layout looks the same as the 2003 version with very few changes.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Slow
Review: Maybe it's the fact that we are still running Windows 98 and have 256 MB RAM, but Quicken 2004 is running extremely slow, and has crashed our computer twice in the four times we have utilized the program. Supposedly it only needs 64 MB RAM and is compatible with Windows 98, but I am questioning that. Yesterday we got a message that we didn't have enough memory before our system crashed. The bugs that we dealt with a couple times a week with 2003 seem to be fixed, but at the rate we're going with 2004, I may be sending it back. I do like the new look which is why I am rating it 2 stars instead of 1.
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