PortableApps Suite (Lite Edition)

The Lite Edition of the popular PortableApps Suite is much like the Standard version. It takes an old-school approach to mobile computing; instead of hosting programs online, it offers a comprehensive suite that fits onto and runs from almost any device with at least 256 MB of space.

The Lite Edition swaps out the OpenOffice.org productivity suite for the MS Word-only analog called AbiWord. Everything else is identical, managing some of the best freeware applications from a taskbar menu that runs instantly when clicked on. User favorites Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird are here, a calendar and day-planner app, an instant messenger manager, an antivirus program, and even a Sudoku game.

Impressively, the range of supported programs goes far beyond those in the Standard Suite. Others you can download include a media player, a Web page editor and even a version of the Mac OS. Along with all the software, PortableApp provides support for all your ancillary settings, plug-ins, buddy lists, and document and media files.

The download and installation is quick, if not lightning fast, and the interface menu looks as good as it is straightforward. We'd like to see a way to synchronize settings and extensions in future versions, although if you use portable apps exclusively you simply take your settings with you.