Intuit Quicken 2004 Deluxe for Windows Full Version for PC (278849)

Pros: functionality behemoth, updated interface, comprehensive finance package, all-in-one offer
Cons: functionality behemoth, changes from 2003 less significant, graphs still inflexible, slow(er)

Okay, now that I have your attention let me explain how Quicken 2004 Deluxe can be for free and still the full version with all the bells and whistles. That does have little to do with it being the 20th Anniversary Edition, but more with specials one has ...

Pros: Basic accounting sound, tight integration with investment info
Cons: self promos, advertising, different interface, slower execution

This product is rated badly by users in areas such as ZDnet & Amazon. Reviews were scathing. Thus, I was very hesitant to upgrade. Intuit has a near monopoly on finance software and though email, downloaded notices and snail mail, they are making sure ...

Pros: Excellent tool for tax planning and financial situational awareness. Convenient downloads of online data.
Cons: Can’t teach you financial wisdom. Won't work if you don't use it.

When it comes to money, I'm a bit of a control freak. Our multiple checkings, savings, credit card, and investment accounts are balanced to the penny on a weekly basis. I keep close tabs on due dates, minimum balance requirements, and when promotional ...

Pros: new fancy UI that looks very similar to the old UI, but with new colors.
Cons: New bugs, no fixes, terrible support.

My advice to people that have a currently working version of Quicken (my last working version was 2003) should stay with that version. There is no reason for upgrading to the next version unless you are having serious problems with the version you're ...

Pros: Can't think of one
Cons: Overcomplicates transaction entry

I'm new to Quicken. I've been tracking finances via spreadsheet. That turns out to be a lot simpler. For starters you cannot use natural language search in the help. To find an answer (if it's there) you have to type in one word and look through ...

Pros: Easy transition from older versions; fast transactions download; changes to old format not too disruptive
Cons: User interface is not as intuitive as older versions; awful (really non existent) customer service

I've been a Quicken user since 1994 (perhaps earlier). Quicken 2004 stays true to what I remember from the start: an easy way to update and balance your checkbook. As in recent versions, it also makes it very easy to download transactions from a bank ...

Pros: The software itself is very user friendly and supports a variety of financial holdings.
Cons: The company has very poor management will kill this product.

Unfortunately I can not recommend Quicken products to anyone at this time. I have seen a number of financial institutions drop their support for quicken auto update and download support. When I first purchased Quicken in late-90's the license ...

Pros: Cleaned up interface, nice summaries. overall ease of use.
Cons: Not all financial institutions link, extensive functionality can be overwhelming

I'll have to disagree with most of the reviews here; I am very happy with Quicken 2004. I have been running 2001 & have had versions way back to when TurboTax was it. The 2001 version in my opinion was a disaster, very difficult to navigate and see ...

Pros: - Financial downloads - 2005 version can't be far behind
Cons: - Very buggy - Cluttered - Little customization - 2005 seems a long way away

Not having upgraded my Quicken since 2000, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and go to 2004. This was apparently the wrong year to bite. After a couple of weeks, I feel like I've down-graded in terms of speed of use, visual presentation of ...

Pros: No Pros found for this version
Cons: see above

Investment module is a disaster. No Bond Sale transaction is included. Capital Gains transactions for mortgage backed securities don't allow for return of principal.

Also preferences, like making sure every transaction has a category, does not work..

Intuit should be ashamed of itself for releasing this edition.

I have used Quicken for over 10 years and Quicken 2004 is a disgrace and anyone who relies on it for capital gains transactions will have major concerns with the IRS. I had to do all my bond sales transactions manually..... Not what I bought Quicken for.....

I have called their hotline and written at least a dozen times and they could care less.

Lawrence Gorin
lawrencegorin@hotmail.com

Pros: Unless I want to convert to MSMoney it's the only game in town
Cons: Slow Buggy Need to get back to basics

The last few Quicken upgrades that I have done have been time-consuming, bug ridden and in general a hassle. I have been using Quicken products of 14 years -- so I'm not a novice. I am a IT professional by day -- and a trustee and family bookkeeper by night! Quicken 2004 is NOT an upgrade I would recommend. I was forced because of lack of support for Quicken 2000 to upgrade.
The interface is slower,
The file conversion was AWFUL -- cancel out half way through and it will work fine - otherwise linked cash management accounts get merged and LOST in the conversion.
The screens are much more difficult for my over 40 eyes to read.
Input of security transactions is MUCH more difficult than in previous versions
In general -- they have to come up with some reason for you to buy the newest version (compatibility) -- but HONESTLY -- if I could go back to the 98 version -- I would. All the bells and whistles are for show -- the nuts and bolts get buried in all the fluff.

Pros: It doesn't take long to realize that this stuff is the pits
Cons: Too many to list

I'm a very satisfied Quicken 98 user. I bought Quicken 2004 without batting an eyelid, never realizing the depths to which a fine product can plunge!

Quicken 2004 is a disaster!

The user interface is utterly messed up. The whole program is now just as counter-intuitive as it was intuitive in its 98 incarnation.

Lots of bugs, lots of traps, no way to undo mistakes caused by a hopelessly complicated user interface (and I'm a software engineer!).

Luckily, I saved backup copies of Quicken 98 AND my data files. So I'll have to redo ONLY about a month's work of transactions, say a day wasted.

My advice:

STAY AWAY, if you want to save hours of work. If you do upgrade, keep a backup!!

Pros: Updated Internet options
Cons: Visually, a trainwreck.

I've been a Quicken user since 1996 and have gone through four versions.
Last week, I purchased the 2004 version, hoping some basic functions would be streamlined. Backing up data, in 2002, for example, was a pain.
Unfortunately, 2004, while offering some great online features, is a visual mess. Now, when I go to my checking account's register, the screen is cluttered with functions I do not use, want, or need - AND CANNOT REMOVE!

Intuit needs to give us, the users, more control over how we view their product, not the other way around.

Now, I'm seriously thinking about reloading 2002, eating the $25 I shelled out for 2004, and waiting for something better, and cleaner, from Intuit to come around.

Pros: None.
Cons: Cluttered display. No customization allowed. Charge for technical support.

I have been using Quicken to manage my finances since 1996. Every upgrade until this one has been seamless and worth making because they generally have made the system more user friendly and simpler to use. This version of the product is abysmal, however. The new interface is cluttered and does not allow you to see your data in ways that make it understandable. The program has apparently lots of hidden connections that you no longer are able to know about. Supposedly this upgrade was supposed to make managing your investments easier, but the customization that was available in past versions has been eliminated and unless you want to know the simpleton information about your investments that they are force feeding you the investment accounts are useless now. The final straw is that they want to charge you for calling or even chatting online with a technical support representative. Apparently that is how they are now making their money. Given the activation snafu last year with TurboTax, this company is possibly the only one that could make Microsoft look user friendly. I haven't used Money for seven years, but I think this is driving me to it.

Pros: More Online Download Institutions
Cons: Lousy Navigation, Report Errors, Downloaded transactions not correct for tax reporting, added keystrokes necessary

I have used Quicken to track investments since 1986. I previously used Quicken 2000, and just upgraded to Quicken 2004 because Quicken 2000 did not easily download to current versions of Turbo Tax. Quicken 2004 is the worst product that Intuit has ever released. The improved ability to directly download transactions from more financial institutions is more than offset by the number of bugs in the investment reports, the edits required to make the downloaded information accurate, the clutter added to the screens, the added keystrokes needed to enter transactions and the general downgrade in navigation simplicity.

I would recommend that you buy an old version of Quicken 2000 on Ebay if you don't download to Turbo Tax and don't download many investment transactions online.

The beta testers must have been asleep on this version.

As a longtime supporter of Quicken, I hope that the programmers pull out an old version of Quicken 2000 and get back to a product that was reliable and functional.