Instant on
Encyclopedia
In computers, instant on is the ability to boot
nearly instantaneously, so one can get online or use a specific application without waiting for a PC's traditional operating system
to launch. Instant-on technology is today mostly used on laptop
s, netbook
s, and nettop
s because the user can boot up one program, instead of waiting for the PC's entire operating system to boot. For instance, a user may want to just launch a movie playing software or launch an Internet browser, without needing the whole operating system. There are and were true instant-on machines such as the Atari ST
and early Apple Inc. Macintosh
as described in the Booting
article. These machines had complete Operating Systems resident in ROM
similar to the way in which the BIOS
function is conventionally provided on current computer architectures. The "instant-on" concept as used here results from loading an OS, such as a legacy system DOS, with a small hard drive footprint. Latency inherent from mechanical drive performance can also be eliminated by using LiveUSB or Live SD flash memory to load systems at electronic speeds which are orders of magnitude faster.
. This offers many advantages over a standard modern operating system:
However, this comes at the price of having limited local functionality, while focusing on web / cloud services.
of the day was reverse-biased. Instant on advantages included near-instant operation of the television or radio and potentially longer vacuum tube life; disadvantages included energy consumption and risk of fire. Most solid state
consumer electronics are inherently instant on, so the moniker survived into the early solid state era to differentiate a product from its vacuum-tube based brethren (with CRT
s being a notable exception).
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
nearly instantaneously, so one can get online or use a specific application without waiting for a PC's traditional operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
to launch. Instant-on technology is today mostly used on laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
s, netbook
Netbook
Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...
s, and nettop
Nettop
Nettop may refer to:*Nettop, a type of computer*NetTop, a NSA project...
s because the user can boot up one program, instead of waiting for the PC's entire operating system to boot. For instance, a user may want to just launch a movie playing software or launch an Internet browser, without needing the whole operating system. There are and were true instant-on machines such as the Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
and early Apple Inc. Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
as described in the Booting
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
article. These machines had complete Operating Systems resident in ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
similar to the way in which the BIOS
BIOS
In IBM PC compatible computers, the basic input/output system , also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS , is a de facto standard defining a firmware interface....
function is conventionally provided on current computer architectures. The "instant-on" concept as used here results from loading an OS, such as a legacy system DOS, with a small hard drive footprint. Latency inherent from mechanical drive performance can also be eliminated by using LiveUSB or Live SD flash memory to load systems at electronic speeds which are orders of magnitude faster.
List of systems
- Acer InstaBoot Netbook (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - Acer RevoBoot Nettop (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - AsusASUSASUSTeK Computer Incorporated is a multinational computer technology and consumer electronics product manufacturer headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Its product range includes motherboards, desktops, laptops, monitors, tablet PCs, servers and mobile phones...
Express Gate motherboards, notebooks, Eee Box (nettop), and EeePCs (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - Canonical product announced in early 2010
- Dell Latitude ONLatitude ONLatitude ON is an instant on computer system made by Dell. It is a combination of software and hardware developed by Dell and used in some of their Latitude laptops. The system is based on a dedicated ARM processor that runs a custom version of a Linux OS...
, Latitude On Reader (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
), Latitude On Flash (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - Google Chrome OSGoogle Chrome OSGoogle Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications. Google announced the operating system on July 7, 2009 and made it an open source project, called Chromium OS, that November....
- HP QuickWeb Probook notebook (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - HP Instant On Solution Voodoo & Envy notebook (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - HP Instant Web netbook (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - Lenovo QuickStart (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - LG SmartOn (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - MandrivaMandrivaMandriva S.A. is a publicly traded Linux and open source software company with its headquarters in Paris, France and development center in Curitiba, Brazil. Mandriva, S.A...
InstantOn - PalmPalmPalm may refer to :* Palm, the central region of the front of the hand, see Hand#Human anatomy or metacarpus.-People:* August Palm , Swedish socialist activist* Conny Palm, , Swedish electrical engineer and statistician...
Foleo - Phoenix HyperSpaceHyperSpace (software)Hyperspace is an instant-on Linux-based operating system that has been developed by Phoenix Technologies. It is an application environment that can run either independently or side-by-side with a traditional operating system such as Red Hat Linux. Users are able to boot their personal computers in...
- SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
Quick Web Access (based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
) - Splashtop Inc. SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
- XandrosXandrosXandros is the name of both a line of operating systems and Xandros Corporation, the company which creates them. Xandros Desktop was a Linux distribution. The name Xandros is derived from the X Window System and the Greek island of Andros....
Presto - XPud
Timeline
- In October 2007, ASUSASUSASUSTeK Computer Incorporated is a multinational computer technology and consumer electronics product manufacturer headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Its product range includes motherboards, desktops, laptops, monitors, tablet PCs, servers and mobile phones...
introduced an instant on capability branded "Express Gate" on select motherboards, using DeviceVM's SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
software and dedicated flash memory. - In May 2008, AsusASUSASUSTeK Computer Incorporated is a multinational computer technology and consumer electronics product manufacturer headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Its product range includes motherboards, desktops, laptops, monitors, tablet PCs, servers and mobile phones...
shipping "Express Gate" based on Splashtop to its notebooks. - In July 2008, HP started shipping SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
on its Voodoo notebooks, calling it "Instant On Solution (IOS)." - In October 2008, Lenovo started shipping SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
on its netbooks, calling it "QuickStart." - Dell Computer Corporation announced on 13 August 2008 that they would support "instant on" in their Latitude line of laptops, leveraging "a dedicated low-voltage sub-processor and OS that can enable multi-day battery life and which provides "near-instant access to e-mail, calendar, attachments, contacts and the Web without booting into the system’s main operating system (OS)..." This OS will be running a LinuxLinuxLinux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
variant. - In January 2009, LGLGLG may refer to:*LG Corp., a South Korean electronics and petrochemicals conglomerate*LG Electronics, an affiliate of the South Korean LG Group which produces electronic products* Lawrence Graham, a London headquartered firm of business lawyers...
started shipping SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
on its netbooks, calling it "Smart On." - In June 2009, Acer started using SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
on its netbookNetbookNetbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...
, calling it "RevoBoot." - In June 2009, SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
started installing an instant on browser-only version of SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
software on its Vaio NW laptops. - In September 2009, HP announced that it will ship a number of netbooks and commercial notebooks with a "Quick Web" instant on feature, which also utilizes SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
software. - In September 2009, AsusASUSASUSTeK Computer Incorporated is a multinational computer technology and consumer electronics product manufacturer headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Its product range includes motherboards, desktops, laptops, monitors, tablet PCs, servers and mobile phones...
shipped EeePC netbooks with "Express Gate," based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
. - In October 2009, SamsungSamsungThe Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
partnered with Phoenix TechnologiesPhoenix TechnologiesPhoenix Technologies Ltd designs, develops and supports core system software for personal computers and other computing devices. Phoenix's products — commonly referred to as BIOS or firmware — support and enable the compatibility, connectivity, security and management of the various components and...
to offer instant-on notebooks and netbooks. - In November 2009, DellDellDell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
shipped Latitude commercial notebooks, with Latitude On Reader and Latitude On Flash features, based on SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
. - In November 2009, Google open source Chrome OS alpha.
- In November 2009, Acer shipped SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
on its Aspire One netbooks, called "InstaBoot." - In December 2009, Mandriva published an Environment called "Mandriva InstantOn"
- By end of 2009, SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
has shipped on over 30 million PCs. - In early 2010, Canonical, the sponsors for the Ubuntu Operating System, will have an Instant On proposition released to market. Information may be released at the CES show in Las Vegas, January 2010.
- In June 2010, HP buys Phoenix's HyperSpaceHyperSpace (software)Hyperspace is an instant-on Linux-based operating system that has been developed by Phoenix Technologies. It is an application environment that can run either independently or side-by-side with a traditional operating system such as Red Hat Linux. Users are able to boot their personal computers in...
. - In 2010, DeviceVM projected SplashtopSplashtopSplashtop is a remote desktop software solution that allows users to connect to and control their computer from a mobile computing device, such as an iPad, iPhone, webOS, or Android device...
will ship on over 100 million PCs. - In October 2010, Apple introduced the new MacBook Air a next generation notebook that use flash memory technology that enables the ability of instant on.
- In February 2011, Splashtop OS released as a free download.
Pros and cons
An "instant-on" operating system is like those used by 1980s home computers such as the commodore 64Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
. This offers many advantages over a standard modern operating system:
- It boots much faster.
- It is less vulnerable to malwareMalwareMalware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
as the system is mostly read-only. - It allows for diskless computers.
- It is lighter.
- It consumes less power.
However, this comes at the price of having limited local functionality, while focusing on web / cloud services.
Consumer electronics
In the past, consumer electronics manufacturers would emblazon radios and TV sets with "Instant On" or "Instant Play" decals. In series filament sets, instant on was accomplished by adding only a silicon diode across the power switch to keep tube filaments lit at 50% power; the diode was placed such that the typical half wave rectifierRectifier
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current , which periodically reverses direction, to direct current , which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification...
of the day was reverse-biased. Instant on advantages included near-instant operation of the television or radio and potentially longer vacuum tube life; disadvantages included energy consumption and risk of fire. Most solid state
Solid state (electronics)
Solid-state electronics are those circuits or devices built entirely from solid materials and in which the electrons, or other charge carriers, are confined entirely within the solid material...
consumer electronics are inherently instant on, so the moniker survived into the early solid state era to differentiate a product from its vacuum-tube based brethren (with CRT
Cathode ray tube
The cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun and a fluorescent screen used to view images. It has a means to accelerate and deflect the electron beam onto the fluorescent screen to create the images. The image may represent electrical waveforms , pictures , radar targets and...
s being a notable exception).