GeeMail

If you're tired of juggling browser tabs just to check your Gmail, GeeMail might be the lightweight desktop solution you've been looking for. Developed by SourceBits, this no fuss app brings your inbox right to your desktop whether you're connected to the internet or not. One thing to keep in mind: you’ll need Adobe Air installed to run it, but once you do, it works smoothly across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The first time you log in, GeeMail might take a minute to sync your messages, but after that, it’s surprisingly snappy almost like using Gmail in your browser. Where it really shines is offline mode: you can read, write, and queue emails even without a connection. The moment you're back online, everything sends automatically.

That said, there are a few limitations. Attachments won’t download for offline viewing, which can be a dealbreaker if you often work with files on the go. Also, don’t expect much customization GeeMail keeps things simple, maybe a little too simple. While it gets the job done, it doesn’t take full advantage of Adobe Air’s potential for sleek, interactive interfaces.

For users who want a plug and play Gmail client without any complicated setup, GeeMail is a solid pick. But if you need more like full synchronization including attachments you might want to check out Gmail’s built in Offline mode via Gmail Labs. All in all, GeeMail is functional and reliable, but it wouldn’t hurt if it had a little more flair.