By the end of last year, I have worked with Outlook XP (2002), and if Microsoft would not have failed to continue to keep 'my' Outlook in Windows7 run, I would probably still work with it. Late last year, I have, however, changed from XP to Win7, and because I had to look for another PIM.
So I switched to the self-proclaimed 'competing products' Thunderbird / Lightning, taken my mail and my addresses and tries to score with Thunderbird / Lightning the same results as before with Outlook. It was a disaster. Thunderbird has been updated, Lightning did not like a couple of days, because the developers were not ready with the adjustment; Lightning got an update, I had to wait until Thunderbird harmonized again. Many important features for me were missing also simply; the resubmission function in the task management of Lightning, for example, a laughing stock. And a synchronization of addresses, appointments, tasks and messages with my phone was out of the question. This is particularly bitter for me because I am self-employed, often several days away from home, and I live by schedule. I have therefore tried to come up with tricks, workarounds and additional software on and invested a lot of time and effort. A useful Ergebis I did not get (sorry, dear Thunderbird craft freaks, but your software may be quite useful for individuals - a competition for Outlook but it is in no way, at least not for professional use)
Then I got tired of the hassle, and accidentally discovered that Microsoft is now offering its Outlook alone (ie not only as part of his office packages). The price (at Amazon) seemed appropriate and I ordered it.
The takeover of (1200) and contacts (25,000) mails from Thunderbird was a little thing, the assumption of appointments and tasks (including the acquisition of periodic appointments and tasks!) From Lightning without any problems. Best of all, the synchronization with my 'Move-office', ie works not only my smartphone, it's just perfect. When I come into the office, I simply plugs the USB cable between desktop and smartphone, and a few minutes later I have absolutely identical databases, no matter which system the changes were carried out. So I had wished for!
The purchase price for Outlook into perspective by the way. I have (quite contrary to my usual habits ...) actually read when installing the license terms and discovered something which is nowhere mentioned in the advertisement for Outlook: if I am the main user of my desktop PC [I am], and I have a notebook -PC have [I go] in which I am the sole user [I am], then I must Outlook once bought install twice - on the desktop PC and on the laptop! Seen in the purchase price has been halved, at least for me.
I think I need not mention extra, that the synchronization desktop / notebook just as perfect and easy as with your smartphone?
Conclusion: Outlook is a more than useful PIM with everything I need. And the price is so seen very decent.
I give it 5 stars and I would still be a sixth for the excellent Synchronisationsfähikeit.
