Digital Home Thoughts: Presto Gives Windows PCs Fast Linux Interface

Presto is an Instant On OS solution created by Xandros. 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. The main difference with Presto is that it can be used on any Windows PC. It actually installs on a Windows computer just like an installation through a 400+MB installer and uninstalls just as easily. 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. I opted to install Presto's beta onto my aging Toshiba M200 Tablet PC. When I loaded Presto, it was ready to use within 15 seconds. 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.

Presto comes pre-installed with Firefox, Pidgin, Skype and OpenOffice. The four cover most situations one would come across for lighty or even medium duty work. Xandros also provides an file browser to access any files you have on your PC. For everything else, Xandros has provided an application store where you can search and install applications, much like iPhone App store. I have to admit that I found the application store seemed rough around the edges with Presto's beta status showing through. The store seemed very basic in presentation and installation took several steps, some of which would be intimidating or confusing for the average user. 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. Overall though, my experience was positive. 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. 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, Presto seems like a great option that won't break the bank.

Hooch Tan is a contributing editor to Digital Home Thoughts. He works in the voice application industry and spends most of his life basking in the glow of monitors. Fortunately, this has not tempered his interest in technology and he remains interested in how it can improve our day to day lives. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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