Intuit unwraps new version of Quicken for Mac


Quicken Essentials Mac 2010 is the first major update to the personal finance software for the Mac since Quicken 2007. The new version features a new native Cocoa code optimized for Mac OS X. The product also connects to more banks over the previous version, up to 8,000 vs 4,000. Intuit also said 16,000 banks will be available later this year.

"Quicken Essentials for Mac is the first Quicken product to take full advantage of the Mac operating system and development platform," said Aaron Patzer, vice president and general manager of Intuit's Personal Finance Group.

Other new features include a learning algorithm for easier categorization of items. Essentials Mac 2010 also includes a conversion engine, which can import data from Quicken Windows and MS Money.

Missing in this version is a bill pay feature. Intuit said, however, it found only 6-percent of its users took advantage of that, so it didn't make the feature cut. Also missing is no direct integration into TurboTax, which users may miss.

Quicken Essentials for Mac retails for $69.99 and is available now as either an ordered CD or online download. It requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS 10.5 or 10.6. The package contains a 60-day money back guarantee.

Quicken Essentials Mac 2010