Google Chrome web browser

[m^2]

1-2Mbit is really in the lower end of the spectrum, unless you count dial-up. At the same time, online applications like Google Docs doesn't require you to be connected while working on documents. "Gears" which comes included in Chrome by default allows you to use Google Docs off-line.

Not in this part of the world. 1Mbit is standard here and 20/6 max that money can buy.

Keeping portable software up-to-date can be complicated

Any example? Because I use a lot of it and don't see any difference.

and I'm not sure it's even legal to make commercial software portable.

Depends on the license. It's sometimes, though rarely illegal to make and use, especially with big companies like MS or Apple. This makes Visual Studio the only program I have to reinstall with Windows. It's usually illegal to distribute such programs, but not illegal to distribute instructions / dedicated software that makes it portable.