Intuit Free Software Not So Free to Apple Mac Users.

Intuit Free Software at What Cost?

I have used Quickbooks by Intuit for many years and when I started I was always amazed that this software was not available to Apple Mac users. Well that is no longer the case as there is now a version of Quickbooks for the Apple operating system.

Intuit do however also offer a Free download aimed primarily at freelancers and people just setting up a small business. This is a great idea as it gives anyone starting a business the ability to test drive the software at a time when their outgoings are quite possibly high, for Free. I am sure if any business is successful it will eventually need to upgrade from the free software to the Pro version, thereby assuring Intuit of future customers.

Intuit Free Software

Intuit Free Software

I was intrigued by this new software and as an Apple Mac owner I registered for a copy of this Free software. Upon receipt of an email from Intuit with the download link I noticed it was a Microsoft Windows file.

I returned to the Intuit website and started a “Chat” session with a sales representative, asking if there was an Apple Mac version of the Free software. His reply was that although there was no Apple Mac version available (in UK where I live) I could always use this in conjunction with a windows emulator like Parallels.

Currently in the UK Parallels costs £64.00 ($100.00), Windows 7 is listed at £149.00 ($230.00)**, so when adding the cost of this option -$249.00 and then looking at the £249.00 price tag for Quickbooks pro that Mac users are in a NO Win situation here. The Free software will cost them the same as Intuit’s Quickbooks Pro software.

Maybe Intuit could at least suggest to their sales representatives that they should not rub salt into Apple Mac users wounds.

** Prices quoted courtesy of Maplins, a UK computer and electronics retailer.

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