Asustek (Asus) is trying out its Express Gate Linux software in laptop PCs, a bid to make multimedia files and Internet access a snap for users.Express Gate allows users to bypass Windows at start-up and go directly to the Express Gate screen in just five seconds. From there, users can go directly to the Internet, play games or access music and other multimedia files. The company has equiped its motherboards with the software in the pastand plans to put it in all future laptop PCs, including a few to be launched at Computex next week.

Next week, the company will show off the F8V, the first laptop PC with a hot key to access Express Gate directly instead of waiting for Windows to boot up.

From the end of June, all new Asustek laptop PCs will come with Express Gate on board, and all motherboards will come with Express Gate software on CDs so users can load it on their PCs if so desired, an Asustek representative said.