Another ISP isn't an option, I live in the sticks and am not about to go the satellite route. When I go to a download speed checker like speak easy, I get about 450 kb/s, but the download rate from the updater is about 55 kb/s. I haven't paid; was trying to download the freebie trial version. Sounds like the purchase may be worth it to cut the download size by 90 percent.