Microsoft Outlook 2013 alternatives

Now that is a really good deal. Thanks!

 

Okay guys, just to update things. I have now installed eM Client and I am running it along with Outlook 2013. One thing that impresses me is that eM Client can actually start with windows and minimized to the tray
We will see how it compares for more serious tasks but thank you everyone in here for throwing in suggestions.
Again, I will always refuse yearly fees for software.

 

It appears that eM Client is independently developed, and this product (the pro version) is licensed by SoftMaker for inclusion into their office suite. So yes, eM Client is the same product that comes with SoftMaker Office, but they are separate companies.

 

I don't know about u, but Thunderbird would be my choice!

 

So do they develop it and update it separately? Or is eM Client the developer and the major source of update for SoftMaker?

 

Oh, there's also Evolution for Windows.

http://projects.gnome.org/evolution/download.shtml

But i think it was kind of buggy last time i tried it. They may have improved it in the meantime.

 

eM Client is the developer and major source of update for SoftMaker

 

And Softmaker is the provider for AShampoo Office. So i wonder, could it be that we will soon see "Ashampoo EmClient"? With the usual "offers" that come free from Ashampoo, sooner or later they will giveaway the program. Wishful thinking, but you never know!

 

How come an email client never found its way into the Open/Libre office suite after all these years I wonder? Even if it was a thunderbird based fork, would seem to make sense to have one in the bundle.

 

I know, I can't believe that either. I used to wait and wait for that years ago, but I finally realized it would never happen. You'd think it would...

 

They basically simply told all of their users to use Thunderbird and that is it.

 

Another suggestion since you like Outlook is, go to the ebay web site and purchase the 2010 version that has Outlook included. I purchased MS Office 2010 Professional there last summer from what they call a trusted seller at a reasonable price and I didn't have any problems. It arrived still in it's shrink wrap, just like new. Just thought I would suggest this.

 

Okay testing Thunderbird now. I have to say Im quite impressed. It's not what it used to be years ago.

 

Good choice, although not riddled with bells & whistles, it works as advertised. Support: https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging

 

Ridiculous. Subscription style lowers the appeal for me.

 

If you like Office, work for a non-profit (like Hospitals. most schools), and have a valid email addy from that facility you may want to check to see if the company is part of the MSFT Home Use program (you can get Office 2013 for 9.95USD),

Go here:

http://www.microsofthup.com/hupus/home.aspx?culture=en-US

Click on the "I don't know the Program code" link and plug in your email address on the page that comes up. If all is good to go you will get an email with further instructions.

 

Back when I used to work for the state I would get the offer and just have to pay shipping, although that was like $20~. I would get the enterprise version or whatever it's called...had MS Office 2003 and 2007...to this day 2003 remains one of my more favorite office suites.

 

With the current offer they just email you the Serial and include a download link to the Program- but at least no shipping!

 

Exactly, I will stick with Microsoft Office 2010. As for Outlook 2013, I already stopped using it and Im testing Mozilla Thunderbird. I just utterly and with my entire heart hate rentware.

 

Thunderbird is cross platforms and pretty damn good.

i guess it's pretty much the standard these days.

 

Just to keep everyone updated. I like to test several products for awhile ~ usually 1-3 weeks.
So far I tried the following:
1) Microsoft Outlook 2013 - didn't like it for the licensing issues, that's why this thread started. No way to start Outlook minimized....
2) eM Client - works OK with few quirks, UI seems less intuitive and the button to spread eM Client to your friends was popping into my eye and annoying me.
3) Thunderbird - works well, much better UI
4) Opera Email - probably the fastest email client, best UI. But also no way to start Opera minimized in the system tray.

 

Did you try creating a shortcut for Outlook, opening the properties for the shortcut, and then in the "Run" list change it from "Normal window" to "Minimized"?
That should work for most programs.

 

Yeah I did that. It works but that's now what I want. I want a program to start minimized in the tray without it running in the taskbar.

 

Right click on the Outlook tray icon and click "Hide When minimized". That will make it only show in the taskbar when it is not minimized. I know none of this fixes the licensing gripes but you should be able to achieve the other things you want it to do.