I am considering moving from POP to IMAP.

However I do a lot of work online.  Example.  I work in a place where no Internet is available.  I might download over satellite (pretty costly so I do want to be online as short as possible) or go somewhere where I have a weak UMTS signal and want to download and go offline.  Sometimes I need to travel to a place where Internet is available.

The question is could I work the IMAP account the same way as a POP?  I download and have all the files on my MBP.  Next work on answering and go back online to send stuff.  I ask because I understood that IMAP leaves everything on your server and only download if you ask it to.  But in my situation I want it all to be downloaded automatically local and not have to go back online to download an enclosure or read a mail.  I need to be able to work with the files like in a POP account while being offline.

I hope I explain this clearly and look forward to your wisdom.