For a small business in the start up phase, I am deciding between
QuickBooks pro 2006 and Microsoft small business accounting 2006.  I
have done a ton of comparing and research, but I have a few hang-ups
due to some lack of knowledge.  Ok here are my specific hang up
points:

Here are the questions:

1. a major edge for MS seems to be Outlook with Business Contact
Manager.  it definitly seems to clean/tighten things up between email
and customer center.  i want the benefit of BCM and Outlook, but i do
not want to give up the Gmail email.  Can I setup MS outlook to
keep/use my Gmail email address so clients are sending to my Gmail
account, but I view/receive/send through Outlook?
 
2. What are the exact differences in the Payroll features?  I expect
to fully utilize the benefits.  I read the MS payroll is inferior to
QB?s.  is it poor enough to deter from purchasing?

3. When they say you can "print checks", does this mean I can print
the check off my printer?  What would I need for this?  A special
check size/ paper/ program?

4. I will need to use either Paypal or QuickBooks merchant service to
accept online payment to a website.  If I use QuickBooks merchant
service, will it automatically sync up/input the customer information
to QB Pro once an order is placed?  If so, could it do the same and
update MS accounting service automatically?

5. On the surface it seems Microsoft is easier to navigate and
essentially the same.  Am I missing any major aspects that make one
the clear-choice for being the most efficient or superior in
performance?

6. MS offers seamless integration from the accounting software to
email, but BQ (might) offer seamless integration from the merchant
service (assuming i use the QB merchant service) to the Accounting
software.  Is it really ?pick which matters more??  Overall I want the
most efficient/effective merchant? accounting software? email, and
vice versa.