Microsoft has reimagined and rebranded its existing Hotmail/Windows Live webmail service as Outlook.com, and the result -- a Metro-inspired, stripped-back client that's much more like the Outlook desktop client -- is impressive. We've long thought Hotmail was a solid email service, and certainly the best alternative to Gmail, but Microsoft steps its game up to a whole new level with Outlook.com.

What can Hotmail offer over a certain emerging webmail standard? A good bit, it turns out. Windows Live Hotmail now offers inbox-cleaning Sweep and filter functions, Exchange support, direct Office Web App tools, in-message slideshows and video, and more.

With Gmail's on-and-off outages this week garnering quite an outcry from net users, you might think everyone but your Aunt Marge is using Gmail's web interface. PC World runs down Six Reasons Desktop E-mail Still Rules. Among those we (admittedly Gmail-positive) can relate to: better filtering and rules, drag-and-drop attachments, and the "Redirect" command. What advantages does your desktop client have over webmail?