# ASUS Express Gate > Linux based operating system **Wikidata**: [Q124038123](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124038123) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asus-express-gate ## Summary ASUS Express Gate is a Linux-based, "instant-on" operating environment developed by ASUS that provides quick access to basic functions without booting a full desktop OS. It is an instance of a Linux distribution and is based on the Splashtop instant-on technology. ## Key Facts - ASUS Express Gate is a Linux-based operating system (described as a Linux distribution). (TweakTown) - It was developed by ASUS, the Taiwanese computer and electronics company. (TweakTown) - Express Gate is based on Splashtop, a separate instant-on Linux distribution. (Yahoo News) - Splashtop — the technology Express Gate is based on — was created in 2006 and is headquartered in San Jose, United States. (Splashtop sources) - Contemporary coverage reported that ASUS preloaded Express Gate as an "instant-on" Linux environment on new motherboards and laptops. (SlashGear, Yahoo News) - A later iteration, Express Gate 2.0, was demonstrated and covered in the technology press. (Engadget) - Coverage and hands-on descriptions of Express Gate appear in TweakTown, SlashGear, Yahoo News (DeviceVM/Splashtop reporting), and Engadget. (TweakTown, SlashGear, Yahoo News, Engadget) - ASUS (the developer) was founded in 1989-04-01 and is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan (coordinates: lat 25.125934, lon 121.486862). (ASUS data) - ASUS reported 5,831 employees as of a 2019 point in time. (ASUS data) ## FAQs ### Q: What is ASUS Express Gate? A: ASUS Express Gate is a lightweight, Linux-based instant-on environment provided by ASUS to let users access basic functions quickly without booting a full operating system. It is implemented as a Linux distribution based on Splashtop. ### Q: Who developed Express Gate? A: Express Gate was developed by ASUS, the Taiwanese computer and electronics company. Coverage of the product appears in technology press outlets such as TweakTown and SlashGear. ### Q: What is Splashtop in relation to Express Gate? A: Splashtop is the underlying instant-on Linux technology on which Express Gate is based. Splashtop was created around 2006 and is headquartered in San Jose, United States. ### Q: Was Express Gate preinstalled on ASUS hardware? A: Yes. Contemporary reports stated that ASUS preloaded Express Gate on new motherboards and some laptops to provide an instant-on option for users. (SlashGear, Yahoo News) ### Q: Are there multiple versions of Express Gate? A: Yes. Press coverage documents at least a subsequent version called Express Gate 2.0 that was demonstrated in technology media. (Engadget) ## Why It Matters ASUS Express Gate addressed a practical user need at a time when full operating system boot times were longer: providing immediate access to essential tasks (for example, web browsing, communications, or media playback) without starting the main OS. By packaging an instant-on Linux environment and preinstalling it on ASUS motherboards and systems, ASUS offered an option for users to perform quick tasks or recover information faster than a full boot. The product also illustrates a vendor-driven integration of third-party instant-on technology (Splashtop) into consumer hardware, representing a convergence of hardware OEMs and lightweight Linux platforms. For users and system designers, Express Gate demonstrated how a small, purpose-focused environment could coexist with mainstream operating systems to improve perceived responsiveness and convenience on PCs. ## Notable For - Being an ASUS-developed instant-on Linux environment built on Splashtop technology. (ASUS, Splashtop) - Being reported as preloaded on ASUS motherboards and some laptops, making it directly available to end users out of the box. (SlashGear, Yahoo News) - Receiving hands-on and demo coverage in technology press, including TweakTown and Engadget, which documented its functionality and later iterations (e.g., Express Gate 2.0). (TweakTown, Engadget) - Representing a vendor-specific deployment of a third-party instant-on Linux distribution in consumer hardware. ## Body ### Overview - ASUS Express Gate is an instance of a Linux distribution described as a lightweight, instant-on operating environment. (TweakTown) - It was positioned to provide quick access to basic functions without booting a full desktop OS. (SlashGear, Engadget) ### Origins and Base Technology - Express Gate is based on Splashtop, a third-party instant-on Linux distribution. (Yahoo News) - Splashtop was established around 2006 and is based in San Jose, United States. (Splashtop sources) ### Development and Deployment - The developer of Express Gate is ASUS, a Taiwanese computers and electronics company. (TweakTown) - ASUS was founded on 1989-04-01 and is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan (lat 25.125934, lon 121.486862). (ASUS data) - Contemporary reports indicate ASUS preloaded Express Gate on new motherboards and certain laptops to provide an instant-on option for users. (SlashGear, Yahoo News) ### Versions and Media Coverage - Technology press covered hands-on impressions and technical descriptions of Express Gate (TweakTown). - A subsequent iteration, Express Gate 2.0, was demonstrated and covered by Engadget. (Engadget) - Major coverage and reporting sources include TweakTown, SlashGear, Yahoo News (DeviceVM/Splashtop reporting), and Engadget. (TweakTown, SlashGear, Yahoo News, Engadget) ### Relationship to ASUS and Splashtop - Express Gate is a vendor-specific deployment that combined ASUS hardware distribution with Splashtop’s instant-on software foundation. (Yahoo News, SlashGear) ### Sources and References - TweakTown — hands-on coverage and product description. - SlashGear — reporting that ASUS would preload Express Gate as an instant-on Linux environment on new motherboards. - Yahoo News (DeviceVM/Splashtop coverage) — notes that Express Gate is based on Splashtop. - Engadget — coverage and demonstration of Express Gate 2.0. (All factual points above are drawn from the cited coverage and structured data describing Express Gate, ASUS, and Splashtop.) ## References 1. [Source](https://www.tweaktown.com/news/9467/asus_express_gate_up_close_and_personal/index.html) 2. [Source](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/2008-05-29-devicevms-splashtop-comes-to-asus-laptops-as-express-gate.html) 3. [Source](https://www.slashgear.com/asus-to-preload-express-gate-instant-on-linux-on-all-new-motherboards-1611670) 4. [Source](https://www.engadget.com/2010-03-19-asus-express-gate-2-0-instant-on-os-demoed-on-video.html)