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View Full Version : Presto Gives Windows PCs Fast Linux Interface

Hooch Tan
04-15-2009, 03:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://prestomypc.com/' target='_blank'>http://prestomypc.com/</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1239376247.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><a href="http://www.prestomypc.com/" target="_blank">Presto</a> is an Instant On OS solution created by Xandros.&nbsp; Like SplashTop for ASUS motherboards, Latitude ON for Dell and others, Presto is a custom made Linux distribution tuned for fast booting and quick access to a set of standard applications.&nbsp; The main difference with Presto is that it can be used on any Windows PC.&nbsp; It actually installs on a Windows computer just like an installation through a 400+MB installer and uninstalls just as easily.&nbsp; Once installed, the next time you boot your computer, instead of automatically going into Windows, you're presented with a screen to choose between Windows and Presto, with Windows selected if you don't choose in 30 seconds.&nbsp; I opted to install Presto's beta onto my aging Toshiba M200 Tablet PC.&nbsp; When I loaded Presto, it was ready to use within 15 seconds.&nbsp; Not technically instant on like a phone or PDA, but considering the age of the laptop, and that it normally takes about 2 minutes for me to reach a usable Windows desktop, I was impressed. <MORE /></p><p>Presto comes pre-installed with Firefox, Pidgin, Skype and OpenOffice.&nbsp; The four cover most situations one would come across for lighty or even medium duty work.&nbsp; Xandros also provides an file browser to access any files you have on your PC.&nbsp; For everything else, Xandros has provided an application store where you can search and install applications, much like iPhone App store.&nbsp; I have to admit that I found the application store seemed rough around the edges with Presto's beta status showing through.&nbsp; The store seemed very basic in presentation and installation took several steps, some of which would be intimidating or confusing for the average user.&nbsp; The selection was wide, but the range in quality of the applications also varied and it should be noted that some applications have an additional cost.&nbsp; Overall though, my experience was positive.&nbsp; Having a setup that I could boot in under a minute and access the Internet and still have access to all my files was really handy.&nbsp; Presto was in beta until April 13th, 2009, should be on sale for $19.95 USD. I'm a bit uneasy about paying for a Linux distro, but for those of you where time is money, <a href="http://prestomypc.com/" target="_blank">Presto</a> seems like a great option that won't break the bank.</p><p><em>Hooch Tan is a contributing editor to <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/" target="_blank" title="Digital Home Thoughts">Digital Home Thoughts</a>.&nbsp; He works in the voice application industry and spends most of his life basking in the glow of monitors.&nbsp; Fortunately, this has not tempered his interest in technology and he remains interested in how it can improve our day to day lives.&nbsp; He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p>
gdoerr56
04-15-2009, 05:41 PM
I guess I don't see the point of this.

If you minimize the amount of cr@p you load on your machine and use sleep mode, I can easily go from zero to usable in about 20 seconds on Vista.

Throw in Windows 7 (and an Intel X25M if you can spare the coin) and you can be there in 10 seconds or less.

I don't want two different environments with separate data sets, I want one that works.
Jason Dunn
04-16-2009, 12:04 AM
If you minimize the amount of cr@p you load on your machine and use sleep mode, I can easily go from zero to usable in about 20 seconds on Vista.

Maybe it's for people that don't want to leave their laptops in sleep mode due to battery drain? I agree that it's of dubious utility when compared to a laptop sleeping...I doubt I'd use it myself.
Hooch Tan
04-19-2009, 02:42 AM
Maybe it's for people that don't want to leave their laptops in sleep mode due to battery drain? I agree that it's of dubious utility when compared to a laptop sleeping...I doubt I'd use it myself.

Sleep mode has always been problematic for me since it drains the battery, no matter how minuscule. Some of my PCs only see use once every few days so when I turn it on, I find that I have little battery life left. The benefit of this for me is being able to leave my laptop off and if I only need to check something quickly, it can boot up really quickly. Even hibernate on my laptops takes quite some time.

I haven't checked, but if their version of Firefox supports plugins, it can sync with Foxmarks, etc. and then there's no separate dataset since you can also access your files on your PC.

It's definitely not for everyone, but I do think that it is a step in the right direction, with OSes booting extremely quickly, even with several apps loaded.