The product:
Outlook.com supports its own keyboard shortcuts and those of Yahoo and Gmail (read this post for more information on how to use them). It's a convenient feature, and you can turn them on and off at will. Access to your calendar, People Hub (aka your contacts menu), and SkyDrive is through a drop-down menu at the top of the screen (next to the downward arrow next to the word "Outlook"). Clicking on the related box will take you straight to that feature. It's a simple process for SkyDrive and the calendar, but it's one click too many to see your contacts list. I'd prefer a dedicated link in the left-hand
navigation bar.
If you can't stand surprises, you can add a preview pane for scanning a message's contents without opening it, which is more expansive than the "snippets" you get in Gmail. I liked using the preview pane, mostly because it lets you scroll through your inbox and Folders list independently. If you don't use the preview pane, the entire page scrolls as a whole, which can be tedious depending on your inbox size. Outlook.com also wins points for supporting right-click commands when you're selecting a message from your inbox. Gmail, on the other hand, shows your browser's default menu.
What it offers:
A wonderfully clean interface and strong features make Microsoft's Outlook.com a promising new player in e-mail, and a clear alternative to Google's Gmail.
The advantage:
Outlook.com delivers unlimited storage, excellent inbox organizational tools, and complete SkyDrive integration. It doesn't serve personalized ads, and it's all wrapped up in a simple, easy-to-use interface.
The unfavorable:
For now, there's no Skype or IMAP support, and the calendar app is limited and outdated. Customization options are few and the default social-media integration settings are overwhelming.
source
navigation bar.
If you can't stand surprises, you can add a preview pane for scanning a message's contents without opening it, which is more expansive than the "snippets" you get in Gmail. I liked using the preview pane, mostly because it lets you scroll through your inbox and Folders list independently. If you don't use the preview pane, the entire page scrolls as a whole, which can be tedious depending on your inbox size. Outlook.com also wins points for supporting right-click commands when you're selecting a message from your inbox. Gmail, on the other hand, shows your browser's default menu.
What it offers:
A wonderfully clean interface and strong features make Microsoft's Outlook.com a promising new player in e-mail, and a clear alternative to Google's Gmail.
The advantage:
Outlook.com delivers unlimited storage, excellent inbox organizational tools, and complete SkyDrive integration. It doesn't serve personalized ads, and it's all wrapped up in a simple, easy-to-use interface.
The unfavorable:
For now, there's no Skype or IMAP support, and the calendar app is limited and outdated. Customization options are few and the default social-media integration settings are overwhelming.
source
