quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Dr. T and architect (among others), you're opening yourselves up to a bunch more questions from me!

Quicken abandoned Mac users? That stinks! Quicken is probably the program I depend on most at home, aside from the usual Office and email things. I have Quicken on the old MacBook Pro, but only used it there briefly, relying on the old PC instead. I do have some work-related software (PC-only) that I'll have to figure out how to use, but I suppose that's where I get to learn Parallels.

A suitible substitute for Quicken is MoneyDance. A one-time purchase/no subscription required (although there is a third-party subscription needed for banks/brokerages that have disabled direct access). Reads and writes Quicken files. One purchase covers all your devices with encrypted syncing, and runs on pretty much all platforms. The mobile apps are free, the desktop is inexpensive, and there is a free trial (up to 100 transactions).

I started with MD back when it was distributed by the original developer on 3.5" floppies. Support is fast, courteous and helpful. One of the most appealing features is that there is a fully-documented API to the core software that makes extensions easy to write, and these are well-supported by the online community. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions.

I'm heading to Mac consolidation and use Quicken as well.

While I understand that after you convert Quicken data from PC version to Mac you can't reverse-convert back to PC, that's the only downside I've seen.

Help me understand what else I don't know w/r/t "abandoned?"

If I find my old Quicken CD and figure out Parallels, I should be good to go, right? I despise the idea of paying Quicken every month. (They're not helping me save money at that point....)

That said, I'm very averse to getting away from Quicken, probably just because I know how to use it and have so much history with it.


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ETA: Wait a sec... using Parallels, I still have to obtain (buy) a copy of Windows 11?
Parallels lets me run Windows and Windows programs, but doesn't take the place of Windows. Is that right?

Welcome to the M$ revenue model! Seems a lot like extortion, doesn't it? Yes, you will need an OS license as well as the Quicken subscription, and a Parallels license to boot (there are FOSS VM implementations for Mac that work just fine). The first two will be needed for every OS, whether commercial or open source, that gives you a VM (virtual machine) within which to install MS Windows. The only "out" is that you can run an older version of MS Windows in the VM for which you may already have a paid license (as long as M$ still allows you to "activate" it), something that you may not want to do on the naked hardware.

I do not claim to be any kind of authority on MS Windows, I gave up that route decades ago. There may well be options of which I am unaware. I know the ins and outs of macOS pretty well, but my real expertise is in the various flavors of BSD Unix, and, to a lesser extent, Linux.

Extortion, indeed!

A new Quicken subscription will run me about $8 a month (until they jack it up again). A new copy of Windows 11 (Pro) is $200. So the breakeven point is roughly two years, which is way shorter than I expect to run Quicken. So given that, it seems to make better economic sense to acquire Parallels (I don't know its cost yet), buy and load Win11, and then load my old Quicken (hoping/assuming it will run).

At the same time, I'm looking at docks (anywhere from $200 to $400 or more) vs the cost of a Mac Mini ($600). I'm almost tempted to splurge and get a Mac Mini, capable of running my existing dual monitors, and then get Parallels, Windows and my old Quicken going.

That, of course, assumes I can use USB-C to HDMI adapters for the monitors. Then I still need to add an adapter so I can use old-school USB devices.

Like most of my projects, this gets potentially more and more expensive.


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ETA: Holy smokes, Parallels is $220, or $55/year.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vthoky,

Before dicking around with all that, I'd seriously consider just paying Quicken for Mac. It's $4/mo. for basic, $6 for Deluxe, $9 for Premier.

I already using Deluxe or Premier due to tracking some investment accounts and Quicken for Windows went to an annual fee for that years ago. About $50-60 I think.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
That, of course, assumes I can use USB-C to HDMI adapters for the monitors. Then I still need to add an adapter so I can use old-school USB devices.

You can get a 3-in-1 adapter and solve all that. I've been using for 8 years, zero problems.

Link

I'm sure someone sells a cheaper off brand version for $20 less. Which I strongly recommend against if you don't want to add frustration to your recipe.

quote:

'm almost tempted to splurge and get a Mac Mini

The downside of a mini is that it is missing much of the hardware that users have come to expect on their machines, e.g. a camera, microphone, and decent sound, a local backup option should also be considered. Obtaining these (and probably the dock needed for sufficient expansion ports to service them) should be added into the cost equation.

Don't get me wrong, a mini is a fine system for what it is, but assumptions might lead one astray.

You don't need a Mini to solve your issues.

I was forced into Mac-land 8 years ago on a job change after PC use for 3 decades. I had to be portable and I really needed external monitor at main location.

With an adapter like I posted it was easy. With the more prevalent USB-C connectors on almost everything now, even easier.

Having the ability to have you computer with you will be a plus, as will being able to not take up an real estate with it other than the monitor.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
You don't need a Mini to solve your issues.

[snip]

Having the ability to have you computer with you will be a plus, as will being able to not take up an real estate with it other than the monitor.

Very true, sir.

I'd like to get two of the USB-C to HDMI adapters and use my existing monitors. Can I do that as expanded, rather than duplicated?
Several of the docks I've looked at show that the MacBook monitor can show "A," so to speak, and the externals both show "B," which is not really what I want to do. I'm okay with closing the MacBook (or not), but I don't want the externals to be duplicates of one another.

Dan here's the version you can "buy" QB is 2009. I bought it on eBay and I don't do any updates. It has been flawless for the past 5 years. One important note I run Windows 7 on my Mac because the mac version on QB sucks! I installed a virtual machine program in order to add the Windows 7 program.
Hope this helps you!

I know you're trying to do this without a lot of expense, but can you swing ~$300 for an extra wide monitor?

I've got an LG 34" at two office locations and it works GREAT! The monitor software allows you to split the screen vertically, horizontally, a "T", thirds, quarters, (looks at selections...) hell I can even split it into 8ths if I wanted!

Best thing for me is a can drag and resize any of those splits as I like. So I need a bigger work area on left and smaller right half of screen - just click on the middle divider and slide that over by a few inches. Then divider for those windows and any other stays like that until reset or drug in another way.

Great resolution and easy plug and play.

I use my large screen TV on the wall in my garage as an extended display. I can also tell my MacBook where the TV is in relation to my MacBook, so the mouse movement tracks in the right direction to go between screens.

Since I homeschool my son, I watch the same classes he does on the TV as an extended display while doing work on my MBP.

My monitor is extended wirelessly through AppleTV, so there's no HDMI connection to fuss with. I don't know if that helps with a dual display situation or not. I can open up browsers or spreadsheets on the extended display just as easy as I can with a monitor that is plugged in with an HDMI cable.

Tony.

This just in… when I migrated from the old Pro to the new Air, the Quicken install from a couple of years ago came with it.

I just need to dig up my Quicken account password in a moment, and see what comes after that. Call me optimistic!

The AI built in to DDG gave me this answer:

quote:

Connecting Two External Monitors to MacBook Air
M1 and M2 MacBook Air
Maximum Displays: These models can only support one external monitor natively.
Workaround: To connect more than one monitor, you can use a DisplayLink adapter. This allows you to create virtual displays and connect up to three external monitors.
M3 MacBook Air
Maximum Displays: Supports two external monitors but only when the lid is closed (Clamshell Mode).
Workaround: Similar to M1 and M2, you can use a DisplayLink adapter to connect more than two monitors. This setup can allow for four or more external displays.

I didn’t know that; it’s very helpful potentially for me. I have an M3 Air, do a lot of photo digitizing, some video editing; would be helpful to use two external monitors.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
I know you're trying to do this without a lot of expense, but can you swing ~$300 for an extra wide monitor?

I've got an LG 34" at two office locations and it works GREAT!

Yessir, I probably could. I've got a Dell 34" on the desk at work, and I really like it. It's excellent for having two Word documents side-by-side, for instance.

At the house, though, I have two nice matching 24s (or maybe they're 21s, I'll have to go look), and I'm not sure what I'd do with them if I replaced them.

I did just find a Plugable product that claims to offer me the monitor split I'm after, for less than a Benjamin. I may give that a shot. The thing I need to do first is to clean up my desk, so I have a place to put the MacBook.

Dr. T, this gadget might be useful with your setup, too.

I did have success launching Quicken on the MacBook last night. It wants me to update, and I'm wondering if it's going to push me into the subscription product when I allow the update. We'll find out shortly.

Be sure to back up your Quicken file before trying. If it goes tits up you can use the backup to convert to something else like Banktivity. Is there a nonproprietary file format that is an option for secondary backup?

I have a M3 MacAir that apparently will do 2 monitors natively. My external monitor is already 31 inches—it’s an LG that was $250 at Costco. All I need for now.