Trying Postbox as alternative to Mail.app

Given my troubles with MobileMe Mail and the Mac’s Mail application, I am trying out Postbox version 3 email client. Initial impression is that Postbox is a clean looking app with nice touches.

Adding the MobileMe Mail account went smoothly. I have also been able to add an iCloud Mail account to Postbox and again this went without problems. To add the iCloud Mail to Postbox, I used the Mail server settings given on the Apple Support page. With the MobileMe Mail account I am still getting password rejection problems.

I have been able to get the MobileMe password accepted when using Postbox by:

1. Cancelling the password request dialog
2. Quiting Postbox
3. Re-launching Postbox
4. Entering the MobileMe password in the password dialog that appears on re-launch but sadly this does not always work. At least Postbox doesn't remove all my previously downloaded emails when this happens like Apple's Mail.app does.

I don’t know why Sparrow email client app is immune to these password problems but currently it is, thankfully. I hope to write a comparison of my feelings towards Sparrow and Postbox when I have spent more time with them both. Update: I am unable to use Postbox because to the MobileMe password issue. I could never get Postbox to access my mail again after the initial successful work-around. With Sparrow being able to access MobileMe without problem, I have made that my default email client.

One of the first ‘touches’ that I noticed and liked when using Postbox is how it connected a reply to the original sent message in a very clear and useful way. It’s much like some Twitter clients show a conversation and initially it appears much easier to follow than the Gmail variation. The image below illustrates how clicking on the message box underneath the reply reveals the original message from the Sent box.

Postbox email message converstion