[toni-a]

I have it on my laptop (as it's light) and it works well, but I am not sure it has the requested features, above all when it comes to manage the downloads in a smart way. Photo Mechanic keeps track of the previous downloads on each card and skip the already downloaded files. ACDSee gives the same possibility, although in a different way.

do they group raw and jpg versions ?

Photo Mechanic: yes
Faststone: yes
ACDsee: even though I've been using it for years... I don't know, as I have never needed this features.

I suggest you to take a look to Digikam also, which is available for Win too, powerful and opensource.
I'm sure there are others around, I just know about those.

Photo Mechanic and Faststone are the only two in this list to be real browser and not more else. The others are complete image management programs with a lot more than just what you are looking for, so they are good options only if you are looking for something to do a complete management, including DAM.

If you are looking for a cheap or free option, Faststone will do.

If you are using Nikon, try also their ViewNX, free too. If I remember correct it groups jpg+raw. Of course it works only with NEF

If you are ok with spending money, Photo Mechanic is the best of them all in what it does (amazing keywording capabilities, btw), but it's a little overpriced, IMHO.

Many thanks, I will give faststone a try for sure.
My main workflow is Canon and I am happy with Canon software.
However I bought a new Sony A6000 camera for my wife I am using occasionally, and I need a software to manage its files.