Home finance packages have long since passed the point where they offer every feature that the average financially astute user could possibly need. Quicken XG 2004 targets the home business user instead, and bridges the gap between its own Money Manager and Quickbooks ranges. As such, it provides tools for VAT tracking, generating estimates, invoices and reports, as well as full support for home finances too.

Initial setup can be a time-consuming affair, regardless of the package, but Quicken makes the process relatively painless thanks to its setup wizard.

The pricing structure has received quite an overhaul. You can buy a new version annually for £59.95 or you can purchase an yearly or monthly subscription, entitling the user to new versions of the software and access to online financial information, forums and Quicken's own specialists. It works out slightly cheaper over 12 months, but looks much less attractive in the longer term.

Backups can be stored online at extra cost, and statements can be downloaded directly from a number of online banking institutions - of the big four, only Barclays is absent. Taxcalc 2004 (the Lite version is on this month's cover disc) is included and can easily import data directly from the main program.

Those still looking after their finances on paper should consider making the move, but domestic users would be better served by Quicken's Money Manager 2004 at £19.95.

Contact: Intuit 0845 0755 058
www.quicken.co.uk

System requirements:

• Windows 98 or later
• 300MHz Pentium class processor
• 64MB of Ram
• 70MB of hard disk space
• Internet connection for online services

Price details:
RRP: £59.95 (£51.02 ex VAT)
£54.95 (£46.77 ex VAT) annually
£4.50 (£3.83 ex VAT) monthly