Portable Apps vs. U3 Apps on a stick - what's best

What is portable software? 1. It does not require installation to the PC 2. Settings and configuration are with the software and not the PC 3. It leaves no (or virtually no) footprint on the PC (no registry keys or temporary files)‏

U3 Available on SanDisk Cruiser, Intuix Smart drive, PNY Attaché, and Memorex Mini TravelDrive The Launchpad menuing system has advertising on it Is a hardware based interface (will only run on specific hardware)‏

Portable Apps Available on any USB drive Comes in 3 flavors (3 different editions)‏

PortableApps Suite (Standard Edition) : ClamWin Portable (antivirus), Mozilla Firefox - Portable Edition (web browser), Gaim Portable (instant messaging), OpenOffice.org Portable (office suite), Sudoku Portable (puzzle game), Mozilla Sunbird - Portable Edition (calendar/task manager) and Mozilla Thunderbird - Portable Edition ( client) and runs comfortably from a 512MB drive. (89.5MB (download), ~260MB (installed)) PortableApps Suite (Lite Edition) : Uses AbiWord Portable (word processor) instead of OpenOffice.org Portable and runs comfortably from a 256MB drive. (30.4MB (download), ~105MB (installed))‏

PortableApps Suite (Base Edition) : If you'd like to pick and choose exactly which apps to include, you can try Portable Apps Suite (Base Edition). This is a stripped down package with just the PortableApps Menu, PortableApps Backup utility and custom folders, icons and autorun. It's less than 1MB installed, so it's an option for smaller drives. (0.7MB (download), 1MB (installed))‏

U3 Pro's Pre-loaded on select flash drives Apps in compressed format Auto-run apps via CD-ROM emulation It can be uninstalled Greater selection of software

U3 Con's It is slow Downloads may require purchase It must be uninstalled for full use of the stick Once uninstalled it cannot be reinstalled except on SanDisk products (may cause catastrophic hardware failure)‏ Platform not user installable Uses 2 drive letters Uninstalling requires a Windows program Is a hardware based interface (will only run on specific hardware)‏ Lock ups or freezes are possible with some CD burning software Proprietary platform owned by SanDisk Improper removal can cause catastrophic data loss

Portable Apps Pro's Runs on any USB storage Runs on Windows 98 and up User installable Not Proprietary - Free / OpenSource It is fast Uses only one drive letter More robust (no data loss)‏ All downloads are free It can be reinstalled Uninstalling is easy Skins and themes being tested Easily add any portable software you want to the PortableApps.com Menu

Portable Apps Con's Does not come preinstalled It does not allow shareware or commercial software A delay between the release of an application and its availability as a portable version A limited number of applications available compared to other platforms Does not automatically run on computers with autorun enabled

Competing products: PendriveApps has software that runs directly from a USB stick (no menu) Ceedo developed for companies to have a "fully self- contained, mission-specific portable desktop environment" for its employees (not free). Runs on any USB storage. Apps are uncompressed. InstallAnything can move Windows apps to Ceedo. Can't auto-run apps. $34.99; 30-day free trial

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