MSI Winki eyes-on: it's an instant-on OS, but for desktops

MSI did a laudatory job this morning baffling us with its Winki release, but we managed to find an exceptionally kind, English-speaking representative at its CeBIT booth today who broke it down for us. In short, Winki is MSI's new instant-on operating system. It's Linux-based, and looks a heck of a lot more elaborate than the HyperSpace instant-on OS that we toyed with in January. The kicker is that at least for now, this thing is only for desktops, as it's actually built into a small module (shown above) that plugs directly into an MSI motherboard. At first, only select mainboards will come bundled with Winki, but it just might roll out across MSI's entire mobo line. The dame we spoke with wouldn't divulge any details on whether this OS would ever come to its wide-ranging laptop line, but we suspect it will in due time. Winki provides easy access to IM services, Skype and the internet, which is a shortcut to Doom away from being all the true gamer needs in life, anyway.

Gallery: MSI Winki hands-on: it's an instant-on OS, but for desktops

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[The Police @ Mar 4th 2009 1:43PM]

Oh my god, how come you computer boot up so fast!

[snapa @ Mar 4th 2009 1:45PM]

You win sir.

[adam.plante @ Mar 4th 2009 2:29PM]

@ Derry
What in Gods name did you say?

[iGoon @ Mar 4th 2009 3:47PM]

Here is the recipe

-1 4GB jump drive
-1 hour to download
-Ubuntu OS
-optional DVD -RW


I think "i" will stick to my Ubuntu on a USB drive...

[Paul @ Mar 5th 2009 12:49PM]

Hmm... iGoon, Have you tried that? I have and it takes MUCH longer to boot off the USB flash drive linux than it does off of a hard drive install.

It is pretty simple to see why:
Your computer can read / write to your hard drive at about 60-70 MB/s, it can only read / write to your flash drive at about 16-24 MB/s.

Unless you download a flavor of linux that is optimized to boot fast off a flash drive, you are going to see a sharp increase in boot time. The stock version of Ubuntu are not optimized for a fast boot, especially not off a flash drive.

[Alex R @ Mar 4th 2009 2:23PM]

Sounds nice...

[htd @ Mar 4th 2009 1:47PM]

it would be super neat if this thing is like a separate virtualPC independent from the normal OS, so I switch between or use both at the same time, also can be used when I wait for windows/linux to boot.

[Tarnation @ Mar 4th 2009 2:34PM]

I was just thinking if I could launch this and put my OS's into a VMWare environment and be sitting in this messing around on the internet waiting for my OS to boot. Oh and that is just plugged into a standard USB jumper port.

[daniel @ Mar 4th 2009 1:47PM]

the module is really just a USB thumb drive.

[TIMMAH! @ Mar 4th 2009 2:02PM]

Seems like an easy hack. Unplug the module and use a header-to-usb cable to make it into a standard flash USB drive. I'll bet we see boot images on the torrent networks in 0-days flat...

[j_g_puff @ Mar 4th 2009 3:18PM]

Well, if it's linux-based they really should be releasing the image back to the public domain anyway (assuming they haven't tacked on any magical trickery)

[Oli D @ Mar 4th 2009 1:47PM]

Why not just have it as a USB or IDE module... Or as a SATA module?

Then it could be used on any mobo and they would make more money from it.

[Teh Lup @ Mar 4th 2009 2:00PM]

The module that's picture looks like its an internal MB USB socket, for if your case has front mount USB sockets.

[Oli D @ Mar 4th 2009 2:04PM]

I'm very familiar with them.
I personally use them for internalizing Bluetooth/WiFi dongles for when im too lazy to get a PCI card.

I didn't see that JUSB 1 marking first time.

I think its a good idea..

[Teh Lup @ Mar 4th 2009 2:12PM]

We are so on the same page, we might want to procreate.

[Oli D @ Mar 4th 2009 2:18PM]

well I do have half a minute free...

[taz161999 @ Mar 4th 2009 1:47PM]

It looks like it's just a dual usb bus it's plugged into. It doesn't look like a proprietary connection. What do you guys think?

[Dee @ Mar 4th 2009 1:56PM]

I concur, the jumper bases are the same color code as the USB 2 and 3 next to it, maybe that USB 1. They might have code in there that checks the mobo chipset that prevents it from booting up; it's anyone's guess though!

[Rincewind @ Mar 4th 2009 2:03PM]

Yeah, if you look closely at the writing on the mobo, it says 'USB1'

[dan2600 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:11PM]

I third it!

But thats not to say there isn't some propriatary DRM-esqe chip or bios on the mobo as well...

though i think using a serial or PCI bus would have been a better choice then USB...

[Seneca @ Mar 4th 2009 3:57PM]

So Winki is a dongle?

[kal326 @ Mar 4th 2009 8:02PM]

The better question is, if its just a USB Mobo header by does it need to chew up 2 ports for one device. Granted it would kinda odd to just pass one port out to a back plate or something like that, but if you combined this as part of a two header backplate where you get 3 usable ports and the winki drive off two headers. Just a thought, but I'm not really down with the idea of loosing two ports to a single device.

[Toadlet @ Mar 4th 2009 1:47PM]

You really shouldn't have to sacrifice 2 USB ports for this feature...

[Bufsabre @ Mar 4th 2009 2:04PM]

it has at least 3 other headers. youll live without this one. if you have more than 6 devices (and prolly 4 more on the back(atleast)) you need to consider investing in a usb hub

[Oskiee @ Mar 4th 2009 3:00PM]

Lets say you have a customer who got a virus or something happen to windows that you cant get into windows... You pop open the case plug that sucker into the mobo and BAM BLOOM BLANG Instant Linux to back up all his crap and reinstall Windows.

Id say its a fantastic use of 2 usb ports in that sense, but thats if itll work that way. I'm sure that if it doesnt, someone will hack it at some point so we can.

Personally id love to have an instant os like that to trouble shoot HDD problems quicker.

[BigD145 @ Mar 4th 2009 3:46PM]

Why not use two USB ports? A single port can use a daisy chain of hubs with 127 devices, minus the number of hubs.

[mdphoenix @ Mar 4th 2009 3:59PM]

Do YOU have 10+ USB ports on the front and back of your computer that need this header? I think my case has two on the front, and then there's 8 on the back panel. Seriously, are you gonna miss this one?

[lowbot @ Mar 4th 2009 4:59PM]

Open the case? Yeah,thats not a hassle and waste of time.

If Im opening the case I might as well take out the drive. How abuot I just use a live CD (UBCD4WIN) or boot from a live image on a usb drive and save the 10 minutes it takes looking for a screwdriver.

[Juaquin @ Mar 4th 2009 5:31PM]

The idea is that you can leave it inside the computer 24/7 so you don't have an ugly dongle outside your computer. I'm curious as to whether this will work with any computer, or if they've coded it (or the mobos) in such a way as to restrict it to MSI only.

[Steve @ Mar 4th 2009 1:48PM]

Winki? You effing serious MSI? And hands-on your Winki?

[josepha @ Mar 4th 2009 1:57PM]

Yeah lol you cant exaclty show this off to your mates

[kevin @ Mar 4th 2009 1:59PM]

Glad I'm not the only one that though this.

[El Taco @ Mar 4th 2009 3:14PM]

That, my friends, is indeed what she said.

[loosely_coupled @ Mar 4th 2009 3:53PM]

Yeah, you guys missed the comments from the other article about this earlier today..

[The Angry Intern @ Mar 4th 2009 1:55PM]

probably 2 days (if that) after the first motherboard is release, someone will hack it and put it on the internet for all.

[Tarnation @ Mar 4th 2009 2:39PM]

Problem is if you don't have a matching chipset it won't load your drivers.

[Andir3.0 @ Mar 4th 2009 5:37PM]

yeah... because Linux doesn't have drivers for any boards but those made by MSI...

[NeoDarkSaver @ Mar 4th 2009 1:57PM]

Looks like a bootble flashdrive to me.

[Nick C. @ Mar 4th 2009 1:58PM]

My ASUS motherboard has instant on using the Splashtop OS. I surf the net in five seconds. If this version has printer support its a winner in my book.

[thecow5 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:18PM]

Great idea, great idea.
However I am a bit worried about the security of your DATA on the actuall HDD when lets say is running Windows OS on the HDD.

on another note, it does appear to be a bodule that simply sits on a USB port off the mobo, if thats all it is then one can in theory simply acquire on of those modules and place it on any mobo that supports booting for USB Devices (you may have a problem with it comes to drivers for the mobo and the module).

[Shinigami @ Mar 4th 2009 2:02PM]

I can't get it. Why would I want an instant-on OS on a desktop? To instantly see my mail? I can wait 50 seconds for that.
Next question: why do I have to pay for that?

[Nick @ Mar 4th 2009 2:31PM]

only big benefit i see in this is that it could save battery life big time, specially when you are not doing work and just want to surf the net.

[Tarnation @ Mar 4th 2009 2:41PM]

@nick
What battery life do you need to save on a Desktop? This isn't for laptops.

[dbrow @ Mar 4th 2009 2:51PM]

@Tarnation

I think he means if and when they decide to port this into laptops (you know they will).
Seems like a solid idea, I pop open my laptop a few times a day just to check e-mail or run a quick search. It would be nice to not really have to boot up the OS for that if I did not really have to. And yes I know I could just sleep the thing and use it, but It would be a nice option on something like a netbook that you might need to use for longer than 3 hours away from a plug. It has a niche, now we see how big that will be.

[BlakeG @ Mar 4th 2009 6:43PM]

For me, the use is (ASUS SplashTop) is usually just after I shut the thing down, I remember something I wanted to look up or read. Or I am sitting in the living room doing something else and I just need to look something up on the web quickly. I don't see the need to boot up windows if I am only going to spend 5-10 mins online reading something. Definitely nice to have as an option.

[Oli D @ Mar 4th 2009 2:05PM]

You need a USB bootable bios though...

Thats probably not an issue these days.

[Oli D @ Mar 4th 2009 2:06PM]

I'm looking forwards to putting W7 on a speedy 16Gb SSD, and having all my documents on the Hard Disk.

[skyblaze @ Mar 4th 2009 2:08PM]

lol, hands on...

[TheLostSwede @ Mar 4th 2009 2:11PM]

It's a USB DOM (Disk on Module) something like the link below...
So they've loaded up Linux on it and set the board to boot via USB, big deal.
http://www.pqigroup.com/product2.asp?oid=140&cate1=148&PROID=115

[Patriks7 @ Mar 4th 2009 2:21PM]

Very creative name!
+100000 for it :p