I think Outlook.com has plenty of real usability issues. For instance, it immediately forgets which messages you had checkboxed if you just jump to the next page and come back. And the whole From/Subject index view can display very little information compared to Gmail. You don't get the same "I am in control" feeling. And whatever you click on Outlook.com, there's always a noticeable delay before anything happens.
Personally I think that if you launch a new webmail service, you should first make it at least as functional, usable and solid as Gmail. Otherwise what's the point.
Personally I think that if you launch a new webmail service, you should first make it at least as functional, usable and solid as Gmail. Otherwise what's the point.