Sync Problems with Windows Vista

[dchock]

I have an HP iPAQ hx2495 PDA with Mobile 5.0. I recently bought a laptop with Vista Home Pemium. When I tried to install Outlook 2003 on the laptop, I ran into a problem that my operating system is not compatible with XP. The Outlook 2003 seems to be installed but never worked properly. I encountered the installation Wizard all the time when I tried to access Outlook. I didn't dare to sync my laptop with my PDA for fear that more complications would occur. Of course, Microsoft is absolutely no help. I went to the Windows Mobile Device Center, but got no help on how to reinstall the Outlook 2003 so that it is compatible with Vista before I attempt to establish the sync. My questions are:
(1) Is it possible to install an Outlook 2003 that is compatible with Vista, or should I buy and install an Outlook 2007 instead?
(2) Do I even need to install the Outlook at all if I only want to keep track of the Contacts? Vista also has the Windows Mail, could it be a substitute for Outlook mail for synchronization purposes?
(3) Either with or without Outlook, do I anticipate any problems in establishing the sync? I recently downloaded the Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which contained some dealings with Outlook 2003 but I don't know what it is about.

I feel somewhat helpless because I cannot get any help from either Microsoft or Dell even though my laptop and Vista are less than one month old. Please help. Thanks in advance.

dchock