Last year I went through the same process you are going through right now. Exactly the same issues except I did have the option to install Seven on my PC. My problem was that my PC is a laptop and it was not always on the network. Our company allows us to use mNotes which I now use to sync email, calender and contacts while I am at my desktop.
This is not the answer you are looking for I am sure. I did find in the last year that is was not as important for me to have immediate access to my email as I had thought.
Good luck on your search.