Fast-and-Easy Linux From Hassle-Free PC

Want to resurrect an old PC that's collecting dust? Wish you could insta-boot your laptop or netbook for a quick peek at your e-mail or a Web page? Presto promises exactly that kind of convenience.

It's a compact, fast-loading Linux OS that installs in Windows XP or Vista (no pesky boot CDs to burn) and runs alongside it. Tthe installer adds a dual-boot menu to your system, so you can pick which OS to run at startup.

In other words, Presto gives you the fruits of Linux without the usual hassles. I've been test-driving the OS for the past couple weeks, and I'm seriously impressed. It has its limitations, but it definitely succeeds in delivering the most accessible Linux OS ever--and perhaps the fastest. I installed it on a two-year-old Acer laptop, which takes a good 2 minutes to boot Windows Vista. Time to boot Presto: under 20 seconds.

The OS comes preloaded with some basic apps, including Firefox, OpenOffice, Skype, and the IM client Pidgin, but you can add loads more.

So, what's not to like? The price. Granted, Presto's $20 license fee won't break anybody's bank, but it feels a bit like sacrilege to pay for Linux--especially considering how many free variants are out there.

Still, I highly recommend taking Presto for a spin, which you can do for a seven-day trial period. It's incredibly easy to install and totally noninvasive: Uninstalling it is as easy as uninstalling any Windows program.

Getting Started

Presto is ideal for old PCs, low-powered netbooks, and slow-booting laptops. On a pokey desktop replacement, for instance, Presto loads in just under 20 seconds. I also installed it on an Acer Aspire One netbook. Boot time: 13 seconds. Shutdown time: 2 seconds. Beat that, Windows 7.

Want to try it yourself? I know Linux may seem strange and scary, but trust me: Presto is as easy to install (and uninstall) as any program, and it doesn't require you to partition your hard drive or burn a CD. Here's how to get started:

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