Searching for a new email client

[tonyvella]

Currently I am using Thunderbird, previously I used WLM. As far as WLM is concerned, I disliked it from the word go. Thunderbird, on the other hand, I liked from the start excepting for the fact that it seems to take forever (by today's computer standards) to load.

My question is: Is there a happy medium? Something like Thunderbird that loads quickly? I did the usual googling and came up with a number of names to programs that promise you the moon and sixpence: each one is the best ever and will never be eclipsed, ya, ya!

So I ask the experts here what opinions they hold of the various email clients. I don't care if it is free or I have to pay for it as long as it works like TB but loads quickly.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fireberd]

I've been trying Thunderbird as I need a replacement for Outlook 2003, which has had Microsoft support dropped when they dropped Windows XP. I don't see any difference in speed between Outlook 2003 and Thunderbird. They both load equally fast.

I'm using my ISP's "POP" e-mail server. If you are using Yahoo, gmail, etc that may take longer??

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thunderbird loads in one second flat on my 4 year old PC.

If it loads slow on your machine, you've either got a problem of some kind or a very weak CPU or hard drive.

I use an SSD, but even with my old traditional hard drive, Thunderbird was never slow to load--2 or 3 seconds at worst.

I haven't kept up with email clients in the last few years, but they have gotten harder to find over the years as more and more people are using web-based email such as Gmail and Yahoo--which I can't stand. So I continue to ride with Thunderbird. I'd consider changing if I had heard of anything superior, but I haven't.

 

[Slartybart]

eMail clients are a personal choice. It would be hard for me to tell you the "best"

I don't know what version of WLM you ran previously, but the current release is very stable. You might consider taking another look.

Basically the top two eMail clients are Windows Essentials Mail (aka WLM) and Thunderbird. You'll have to try a few others (lists of the "best" email clients are abundant) to see what suits your fancy.

I'd focus on Thunderbird since you're happy with it and try to resolve the load times issue.

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Thanks, that will help members help you work through the Thunderbird load times

 

[DavidE]

I've been using Thunderbird on my test box lately, so I've been checking their forum.
Thunderbird has a lot of configuration possibilities imho.
Here is one thread that might help with some configuration changes to try ...
Prevent Thunderbird to download IMAP folders ? mozillaZine Forums

I'm sure there are a lot more options ... could ask on their forum if performance is an issue ...

 

[Callender]

Thunderbird Slow

Well here's a couple of ideas based on my own experience of Thunderbird.

Thunderbird is free so there's absolutely no harm in going down the full uninstall, reboot then reinstall route.

It also uses sqlite databases that can grow in size and become fragmented. It's best to use some sort of utility to compact and optimize them on a regular basis.

This is the software that I tend to use:

SpeedyFox - Boost Firefox,Skype,Chrome,Thunderbird in a Single Click! | CRYSTALIDEA Software

Note: It also works with software other than Thunderbird.



I have a few other programs installed where part of their functionality achieves the same results but as they're not specifically aimed at dealing with Thunderbird it's probably best not to go into detail.

Also consider compacting Thunderbird folders:

Open Thunderbird, select a folder, then click on “File>Compact folder”. Repeat for each folder. This process can take some time. You should notice that hundreds MB have been freed if you are lucky. This re-indexes the Thunderbird email database. I usually do this on a monthly basis.

Also take a look at your Synchronization & Storage Settings and adjust them on a timescale/ per folder basis according to your needs.

 

[stve]

Opera Mail is very good.
Download Opera Mail - Opera Software