Is it possible for computer to turn on/off fast?

Question

I want a computer for writing purposes only. No network, no multimedia, no GUI - just a screen, a keyboard, some OS and vim/emacs. What is the fastest time in theory and in practice, from pressing the power button to becoming able to type? What time-consumable operations are required to be done during the startup time? I do not want to sound like a luddite, but seems like any computer sucks to any typewriter in this metrique.So, what computer is kind of second-best? Please do not ask me just not to turn off the power, because energy is never free.

toast0 · Accepted Answer

Have you considered a dedicated writing machine? The AlphaSmart Neo2 is well regarded as a distractionless writing machine. They don't seem too hard to find.Otherwise, if you really want vim and emacs, you might consider trying to put something together that can be always on. S3 sleep is low latency, and can be lowish power. Or get an early x86 chromebook and boot to freedos; chromebook because the firmware is small and doesn't do much; x86 because software compatability; early because the earlier ones are easier to run 3rd party firmware on for better use of non chrome OS; freedos because it's small and fast to start (assuming it supports the chromebook keyboard anyway).

dewey · Answer

What about an iPad? You open it (If you have the keyboard accessory) and it's ready instantly with the app you last opened. Something like iA Writer is very minimalistic with no distractions and everything is full screen. It's basically a white background with a cursor.

elmerfud · Answer

Is it possible to be instant on/off? Yes. Is there a market large enough at support building such a machine currently? I would think no, people generally want more than a typewriter with a screen.
Early computers did turn on almost instantly but program load times from tape or disk was slow. Although in some instances I could say from direct experience that a c64 power on to text editor can be faster than a modern computer.
I believe back in the 80's the was some single purpose computers built with word processing, spreadsheet and other very basic office programs built in. These would be very fast but might not meet your idea of an OS.
Old systems that had cartridges, if you could find a text editor, also should be very fast. Again the idea of what you mean by OS may not be met.

randomopining · Answer

I have the efficient p31 hynix nvme on my laptop. It only has 8gb of ram. I have it set to use Hibernate whenever i close the lid. It seems super fast, and then battery life is prolonged (no random sleep drain issues).

giuliomagnifico · Answer

Why not use the hibernate command? It&rsquo;s quite fast if you don&rsquo;t have large amount of RAM in use.

georgeoliver · Answer

There is already a niche market for this, maybe the best example product is the Freewrite.

brudgers · Answer

Is there room among the top ten for a purely mechanical typewriter?Surely, the right tool for the write job does not make a Luddite.

ttttttthu66ttt · Answer

Almost instantly

Is it possible for computer to turn on/off fast?

What about an iPad? You open it (If you have the keyboard accessory) and it's ready instantly with the app you last opened. Something like iA Writer is very minimalistic with no distractions and everything is full screen. It's basically a white background with a cursor.

I have the efficient p31 hynix nvme on my laptop. It only has 8gb of ram. I have it set to use Hibernate whenever i close the lid. It seems super fast, and then battery life is prolonged (no random sleep drain issues).

Why not use the hibernate command? It’s quite fast if you don’t have large amount of RAM in use.

There is already a niche market for this, maybe the best example product is the Freewrite.

Is there room among the top ten for a purely mechanical typewriter?
Surely, the right tool for the write job does not make a Luddite.

Almost instantly