How good is Android at syncing contacts/diary etc

[Guest _dg]

I'm currently a WM user and sync to Outlook all my contacts, calendar, tasks, notes.

Will Android sync just as well with Outlook - include categories and recurring appointments etc?

I have previously tried Google Sync on my PC, but it messed up my whole calender, by spreading appointments over a few days instead of one, and not syncing recurring appointments or anniversaries, and so I would rather not sync via google and prefer to go direct from PC to phone