Postbox Express: Free Email Client - Thunderbird Alternative
Postbox Express: A New Free Email Client
Postbox Express has been launched! The developers behind Postbox have announced the availability of a complimentary version of their popular email application.
This free edition, Postbox Express, offers a selection of Postbox’s core functionalities, and was released today.
First Impressions and Review
The team at MakeUseOf was given the opportunity to evaluate a pre-release build of Postbox Express.
This allowed us to provide insights into the distinctions between the free application and the fully-featured Postbox.
We are happy to report that Postbox Express functions effectively as a free email client.
It incorporates a significant portion of the fundamental features found within the complete Postbox application.
Key Features and Functionality
- Postbox Express provides users with a streamlined email experience.
- It retains many of the essential tools for managing email correspondence.
- The application is designed to be user-friendly and efficient.
While feature-limited compared to the paid version, Postbox Express delivers a solid email solution for everyday use.
Users can expect a familiar interface and a reliable performance.
Initial Observations of Postbox Express
Upon launching Postbox Express, the application proposes assistance by importing settings from pre-existing email clients. In my testing, it identified both Apple Mail and Thunderbird. Opting to utilize settings from Apple Mail resulted in a complete and accurate mailbox configuration within seconds, encompassing a Gmail IMAP account. This seamless functionality immediately impressed me. Shortly thereafter, a notification chime indicated the successful synchronization of my latest email.
A key feature I quickly observed was the inclusion of email threading within Postbox Express. This capability, regrettably absent in many email clients, is essential for organized communication.
The search functionality is intuitively designed. Postbox Express retains a history of prior searches and proactively suggests related queries as you type, facilitating quick access to frequently used filters. For more complex inquiries, a straightforward form is available for constructing advanced searches.
Adding my MakeUseOf email address triggered an unexpected but welcome event: the automatic detection of my IMAP server settings. I have not encountered this level of automation in any other email application – a truly remarkable feature!
A convenient 'post' feature enables direct sharing to Twitter, Facebook, and Friendfeed from within the Postbox Express interface. This streamlines the process of sharing content without the distraction of navigating to separate social media platforms.
The 'Topics' functionality provides another valuable tool, allowing users to categorize emails effectively – for example, separating professional correspondence from personal messages, or prioritizing urgent communications. Topics can be applied individually to emails or through automated filters.
The implementation of tabbed viewing is also noteworthy. This feature significantly enhances productivity when referencing multiple emails simultaneously.
Postbox Express on macOS
Installation on Mac is standard: simply drag the Postbox Express application to the Applications folder. macOS users have the option to enable Spotlight indexing within Postbox Express and integrate it with applications like iCal, iPhoto, Safari, and Dictionary. Furthermore, files can be conveniently attached to new messages by dragging and dropping them onto the Postbox Express dock icon.
Postbox Express on Windows
The primary distinction between the Mac and Windows versions lies in the visual styling. The Mac version employs a dark aesthetic for pop-up windows, while the Windows version utilizes a glossy grey. Windows users can also establish connections to other Windows applications, such as their preferred web browser.
Distinguishing Features of Postbox Express and Postbox
Certain quick access links, present in Postbox for attachments, images, links, and contacts, are not included within the Postbox Express version. While these links offer convenience, they are not considered essential functionalities.
Within Postbox, locating attachments or images during message composition is simplified through a sidebar search. Once the desired file is identified, it can be easily incorporated into the message via a drag-and-drop action. This feature is absent in Postbox Express, which relies on a conventional file browser window for attachment selection.
When viewing contacts in Postbox Express, a streamlined information pop-up is displayed.
The standard Postbox application provides a more comprehensive contact pop-up, featuring direct links to any attachments or photos previously exchanged with that contact. Furthermore, Postbox Express users can perform searches utilizing complex, advanced query construction.
Support for add-ons is unavailable in Postbox Express, while the complete Postbox version offers compatibility with numerous helpful Thunderbird add-ons.
To-do list functionality is integrated into Postbox, but is not present in Postbox Express. Postbox’s to-do lists currently offer synchronization capabilities with OmniFocus and Things.
These represent the primary distinctions between the full Postbox application and its free counterpart, Postbox Express. Should you require a fundamental email application, Postbox Express serves as a viable, no-cost solution. However, if enhanced search capabilities and additional features are desired, the full version of Postbox is recommended.
A demonstration of the complete range of Postbox search functions can be viewed here. For those interested in experiencing the expanded features of the full Postbox application, a complimentary 30-day trial is available. Explore it today!
Additionally, discover how to acquire the full Postbox for $30 and subsequently recoup your investment with ease. Feel free to share any applicable coupon codes in the comments section below!
Alternatively, if Postbox Express aligns with your needs, you can download the free application directly from the Postbox Inc. website, as of June 16th, 2010. We encourage you to share your feedback!
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