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I have been using Windows Live Mail now for a few years, and like the interface, ect ect. Just having a clear out of my domains emails, and think I should set up the other accounts properly. I have Outlook (using 2010 beta), so I thought maybe I should use it?

Can anyone give me reasons for and against both bits of software? I did look for some comparisons between the two, but can't find much. Plus I always value up to date information.

Bit more background: Using 1 Hotmail and 5 IMAP accounts (possibly more). Use a Windows Mobile. Any way I can sync the calendar and tasks OTA to my hotmail and back down to outlook?

I know this is probably more a discussion question (sorry), but I would argue that it can be answered, as it is a question relating to what I myself, in my circumstances would be best.

Thanks in advance.

Rel

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"I know this is probably more a discussion question" ... make it Community Wiki then. :) – Molly7244 Jan 10 '10 at 17:03
I though you have to have a level of reputation points before you could submit stuff as a community wiki, or i would of done :) – Relequestual Jan 10 '10 at 21:32
Question: Are you really looking for points/counterpoints for Outlook and WLM or are you really looking for any working and syncing email/contacts/calendar solution? – Paperflyer Aug 3 '10 at 9:37
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3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Windows Live Mail is free software which lacks the full functionality of Outlook. If you want to have something for free, use Live Mail. If you want something professional that will integrate your calendar, contacts, and email, use Outlook. Additionally, Outlook can connect to Microsoft Exchange Server, which should be considered if you are in a business environment.

As far as migration benefits, Outlook is far superior than Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express. Outlook stores all of your emails and data in a Microsoft Personal File Folder (PST File) which can be simply copied from your old computer to new computer if you ever buy a new system. Windows Live Mail is much more complicated and difficult to migrate.

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Then again, IMAP stores everything on the server anyway, so migration should not be a big issue. – Paperflyer Aug 3 '10 at 9:31
Contacts and Calendar won't be synced via IMAP. You need to export that information to transfer it. It is much more difficult to export and transfer contacts with Outlook Express (Live Mail) than with Outlook. – James Watt Aug 3 '10 at 16:22
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up vote 1 down vote

snowalker is right, Gmail is the best thing out there for what you want. Using a Gmail account will allow you to connect e-mail to your phone (use IMAP so it syncs, unlike POP3) as well as your desktop (I prefer Thunderbird).

In addition, Gmail supports calendar and contact syncing for mobile devices (I've done it on WinMo, Blackberry, and iPhone), so it really solves all of your problems at once. From what I understand, Hotmai/Windows Live Mail doesn't allow for any calendar or contacts (and the web interface is clunky, even for 1998, IMO).

Using Gmail allows you to use a desktop client, web client, and mobile client to sync e-mail, calendar, and tasks. This is the best [free] option out there right now.

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All very valid points well made. Thanks. Sometimes its hard to find the key points that actually matter to you. I can already get my email on my phone, as MS have made a WinMo app that does it, and syncs. The calendar syncing would be good, and there is a way to sync it to outlook and WinMo seamlessly. No desire to sync contacts atm, different contacts on my phone to my hotmail, should probably clean it up lol. If there is a way to sync tasks from outlook to Gmail to WinMo, I'm there. – Relequestual Jan 14 '10 at 12:26
If I can find a way to seamlessly sync tasks without cables (ie over the air) between WM, Gmail and Outlook, I'm doing it! – Relequestual Jan 14 '10 at 12:31
Currently you can't sync google cal with outlook2010 just wanted to note that. Atleast with their app. – MrStatic Jun 8 '10 at 2:17
If you use Microsoft Hosted Exchange instead of GMail, you can sync everything with Outlook, too. It is priced at 5$/mo however. – Paperflyer Aug 3 '10 at 9:35
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up vote -1 down vote

none of it. Just create a Gmail account and you can manage easily your email accounts through pop3 / smtp offered for free by Gmail.

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I knew there would be 1 :p. I want to use a desktop application. I use google for some things, but I want to keep using a desktop app for email – Relequestual Jan 10 '10 at 21:58
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