Is the data file of QB interchangealbe - Mac & PC?

If you're Mac can run Windows (using Boot Camp or Parallels or something) then I'd suggest you get QB for Windows and use it. Otherwise, if you're using QB for Mac, you can save the file for Windows, however it doesn't work perfectly and you shouldn't go back and forth too often or you'll have problems. But, you could install Logmein Free version on your Mac and your wife could login remotely. But, only 1 of you could be working on the computer at a time.

Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA Author of the book "Successful QuickBooks Consulting"

Figure out who will be doing most of the data entry into QB and go with their normal platform.

I'm a windows person but recently got a mac. It was fairly easy for me to figure out the basics of the mac. I'm not sure if that is true for someone going from mac to windows.

I looked what you call the LogMeIn Free version. That looks like it will work in my case. But?. I come back to you saying that if move the data file from the Mac to PC or reverse, I'll get problems. I guess my basic question is this - will both computers work with the same file the same way? In other words, if I have a function or setup something on my Mac, will that be OK when being used in the PC? And reverse?

Another possibility is that I buy a relatively inexpensive PC and use it as an emergency 'backup'. But?.wife's pc is using Vista and the new pc should have Windows 7. Any problems?

Again, thanks for the information you provided. I appreciate it.

A big thought is always present. What if something happens to me and I use the Mac. Will my wife then be left out in the cold?

I doubt it. She'll do just fine. It might be a good idea to introduce her to the mac now. I was blessed to see how quickly I picked up the subtle differences between the PC and Mac. I like the simplistic feel of the mac. Your wife might actually like it herself. So much better than her Vista machine.

Intuit has both the mac and PC versions of QuickBooks. The mac version is lacking some of the more advanced features that are found in the PC version.

The problem is that Intuit never intended for folks to move the file back and forth between the 2 platforms on a regular basis. With each transfer the file gets converted to the new operating system and database format. Data corruption is very likely to happen. Plus not all features will transfer. Bank recs for example don't transfer from the Mac to the PC version. You are better off picking one platform and sticking with it.

There is no problem moving between Vista and Win7. I do recommend that your wife upgrade to win7 (do a clean install to start from scratch). It is so much better than Vista.

Yes, during my 'research' this is what is coming across, loud and clear. My wife & I agree with you that being on one platform is the way to go.

Short history. Prior to 10 months ago, my wife was a computer neophyte. The only thing she knew how to do was using email on the mac. She decided to go into business and the companies that were giving lessons all stated she had to buy a pc. Went to Office Depot (had HP's on sale, with the promise to get a "FREE Windows 7 when it came out. No matter how & what we tried to get it, still no Windows 7 received, including several phones calls to India, being transferred to another phones numbers, emails, etc. This may not be legally fraud, be we consider it to be. We will never buy anything from Office Depot and HP ever again!). She taught herself how to use the pc and Vista and likes it. Ses no reason to go to Windows 7. So we're restricting ourselfs to pc-s (ugh!).

BTW, this also reponds to your other response to me.