What is the difference between a portable version and a normal version (the one that you actually have to install to run)? Does a portable version do everything a normal version does? Please explain.
Depends on the software itself, but usual portable software is designed to work as a standalone that you can bring from pc to pc (usually via a usb key/flash drive) and you don't have to install it on the computer you're using it on.
Any program that can be installed and retain all its files within a single directory (or even a single exe file) can be portable. Most large programs spread their files out across different directories / system folders.
I'm currently using the portable version of Adobe Audition 3.0 and it works just like the normal version. It strikes me as odd as to why people would use a normal version when a much simpler alternative can do the job.
I need to get this... Although I have the full version installed on both Desktop and Laptop computers haha.
I tried the normal version but it had this freeze bug. Hung every time I tried using any effects. This works fine though. Audition is a musician's best friend lol.