HyperSpace Instant-OS Relaunched by Phoenix Technologies

Phoenix Technologies, a PC BIOS maker, has just relaunched their HyperSpace “instant-on” Linux add-on for notebooks and netbooks. HyperSpace allows users to quickly load into a power conserving miniature operating system that has web, email, and media playing capabilities, well before Windows would load up. The software comes in two versions, Hybrid and Dual, with the Hybrid version taking advantage of the Intel Virtualization technology to switch seamlessly between HyperSpace and Windows Vista. Dual requires users to completely close down the HyperSpace software before the system will startup Windows.

Phoenix claims the platform reduces power usage up to 30% if users limit their Windows usage and stay in HyperSpace. The operating system also supports easy transitions between any wireless or wired network without disconnecting current internet sessions. Currently the Hybrid platform is limited to only a handful of compatible notebooks, which include some of the newer Lenovo ThinkPad models and machines from Gigabyte, Acer, Toshiba, and Fujitsu. The key element is Intel VT, but none of the models around our office that support it were found to be compatible with the Hybrid platform.

Phoenix Technologies charges an annual fee for the Dual-Boot and Hybrid. HyperSpace Hybrid, which supports seamless transitions in and out of Windows, costs $59.95 per year or $149.95 for 3 years. HyperSpace Dual, which requires you to exit out before loading Windows, costs $39.95 per year or $99 for 3 years. To find out if your notebook is supported or want to try HyperSpace out click here.

 

" miniature operating system that has web, email, and media playing capabilities, well before Windows would load up."

Yeah, right, we'll see about this. I've never had any of these load before a clean windows install.

 

Some people say as little as 40 seconds from a cold boot. The demo video though is hilarious. Vista just keeps going and going, must have every AV package on the planet installed.

 

still boots from the HDD, right?

 

I really like the idea of a webbrowser based instant-on OS, sense probably 90% of what I do is on the web. If you threw in Word, I'd almost never need anything else. But don't like the idea of "renting" it so to speak.

 

Could this be what Dell's Latitude ON is based off of? Hmm.

Greg

 

Too bad most of these Linux based solutions aren't power consumption friendly.

 

The most concern is the price; that's almost up to OEM version of full OS.

At this price, I rather have full OS with sleep/resume feature.

 

Phoenix is mad if they think many people are going to pay 40 dollars a year for a web browser that boots 10 seconds faster than .Vista. (let alone Win7)

For a 15 dollar upgrade it would be a neat thing if you just wanted to surf for a bit, but 39.95 a year... thats madness