That is Google Apps for business. What about a @gmail.com account? Its been my primary account for the past 10 years, but to my knowledge, I have no way of paying for it.

Correct, you'd need to get a domain and switch. It is what I did.

If you're concerned about how much information and control Google has, why would you pay them for their email service?

I wonder why no one considers exchange online if you just want email and are willing to pay. iOS, Android, Windows 8, and OS X all offer exchange sync. Also, it is $48 a year compared to $50 a year for google apps. It also includes 50gb for email, more than google apps.

Personally, I run Linux so I don't have a use for Office.

I was tempted to pay for Office 365 and move away from Google but I'm not sure if it is truly a superior solution for my needs given Microsoft's habit of 0 support for Linux.

Exchange online doesn't include office. It's just email, contacts, and calendar.

I remember reading that it does turns off the Ads and do absolutely nothing to data collection.

Well, nothing for analytics or the like.

By why would they automagically scan your email and the like if they aren't serving ads?

Personally, I don't care how much data anyone has on me as long as it isn't someone capable of putting me in prison. :P

They scan email for spam detection and to auto-classify emails into categories and their "Important" flag.

I suppose. I think my lack of caring/thought about it is what set me up for such an obvious rebuttal.

Thanks. :)