Xtra-PC Review

Total Rating: 4.9

Over-all Score:

98

Reliability 99%

Ease of Use 97%

Computer Compatability 98%

Shipping Speed 99%

Value for Money 97%

BOTTOM LINE: Xtra-PC provides access to a Linux operating system via a USB flash drive that you can plug into any computer. Not only can it boost the computer’s speed, but it also gives you extra storage on an external drive. It essentially bypasses the old operating system that you usually use.

PROS: It takes only seconds to plug in the Xtra-PC and start using a new operating system. You can use Linux to surf the web, send emails, download games and apps and for anything else you do on your computer It also comes with added storage for some of your most important documents and files.

CONS: You can download free copies of the Linux operating system from other sources on the web. It may overwrite the files on your computer and erase some of those files. Some users also claimed that it did not let them access any of the files saved on their devices when plugged into the USB port. Protégez votre téléphone avec style grâce aux coques téléphones! Ajoutez une touche de personnalité à votre appareil tout en le gardant en sécurité. Découvrez notre collection de coquetelephones pour une protection élégante et durable.

The information we provide you is free of charge and a result of extensive research by our product experts. We use affiliate links in our site that provide us with referral commissions. While this fact may not influence the information we provide, it may affect the positioning of this information.

What is Xtra-PC?

Xtra-PC is a product designed to help computers run better and boost their overall speed. It is available in three different packages that let you choose which one to use based on how quickly you want your computer to run. As long as you have a USB port, you can use the device on both desktop and laptop computers.

It only requires an internet connection the first time that you plug in the USB. When you use the product later, you do not need a connection to the internet.

Every computer in the world uses some type of operating system that runs the device. The most common are Windows from Microsoft and iOS, which is the operating system used by Apple computers.

Xtra-PC allows you to bypass that operating system and instead use Linux as your OS. This is the same OS that many professionals use today. In our Xtra-PC review, we’ll take an in-depth review of this device and look at all the available versions of the product.

The Xtra-PC Turbo 16 is the first edition of the device released and still one of the most popular versions.

How Does Xtra-PC Work?

Your internet service provider (ISP) sets the maximum speed of your internet. Most companies have a cap and will slow down your data when you hit that cap. The speed can relate to where you live, the type of internet you have, and even where you place the wireless router in your home.

In areas where internet speeds are quite slow, providers often give their customers access to Linux. This OS typically comes on a disc that you need to insert into your computer. As many computers today lack a disc drive, you can get access to that same OS via Xtra-PC.

Xtra-PC not only gives OS access, but it also comes with general support. Those who have less experience with computers may have a hard time learning how to install the system and how to use it.

The support offered by the makers of this product ensures that you can get help the first time you install the product and every time that you want to use it in the future. It comes on a USB drive that gives you extra storage too. The amount of storage available depends on which USB drive you buy.

Linux is one of the most trusted operating systems in the world and one that professionals love.

How Can You Use Xtra-PC?

Using Xtra-PC can be as simple as using a flash drive or a thumb drive to look at treasured photos. Once the product arrives, you need to remove the drive from the packaging and turn on your computer. You can then insert the drive into an available USB port on your computer.

It’s helpful to close any running programs before you insert the drive. It can take a few minutes for your computer to recognize the drive, but it will then bring up a window that asks what you want to do with that device. You will want to click the prompt that allows the drive to run and download Linux on your computer.

The whole process should only take a few minutes, but it heavily depends on your internet speed. If you have a slower speed, it can take an hour or more to download it.

You mustn’t leave your computer during this process because multiple windows will ask you different questions. When the computer nears the end of this process, you should notice some changes to your homepage or screen.

Once Linux downloads, you can use that OS to do some work from home or anything else you want to do with your computer.

Does Xtra-PC Work on Macs?

The makers of Xtra-PC offered detailed instructions for Mac owners on how they can use the product with their computers. You may need to follow some extra steps.

Where Can You Use it?

One of the main features of the product is the Linux OS, which lets you do the same things that you would with any other OS. You can use it to check your email and send new messages to those on your contact list.

Other things you can do with this OS include:

Surf the web and visit some of your favorite sites
Access and edit documents
Listen to music
Download new files
Watch television shows, films and videos
Use any of the spreadsheets that you need

One thing to keep in mind is that all your files may not transfer. As Xtra-PC overwrites the existing OS when plugged into your computer, it can also skip over some or all of your files.

If you want to speed up your computer and still use your favorite programs, you may want to scan for viruses and check with your ISP about getting a signal booster.

What Causes Your Computer to Run Slowly

One or more programs take up too much hard drive space when running
Your computer has a lack of available space
Background apps keep running without your permission
A lack of RAM
You have too many temporary files saved on your computer
The computer suffers from viruses and/or malware

Xtra-PC Testing

As there are a lot of products that claim they can speed up or boost your computer, we wanted to try Xtra-PC and see how it performs on different types of systems.

See how you can repair a slow computer with Xtra-PC.

Build Quality, Durability and Feel

Xtra-PC has the same dimensions as any other standard USB stick. The stick is strong enough that you can use it anywhere that you might need it. We found that it didn’t suffer any damage when we accidentally dropped it on the ground.

One minor flaw is that it has a cap on the end. The cap can slip off when the stick rolls around. It’s also easy to lose track of the cap, especially if you put it down and then move around with your computer. Though some flash drives have a built-in keychain ring or holder, this one lacks that feature.

All versions of the Xtra-PC are durable enough for daily use.

What It's Like to Use?

Using Linux might be confusing for those who never used it before. Linux helps you avoid the hassles of slow internet speeds and background apps that slow down your computer.

You need to plug Xtra-PC into a free port and follow the prompts on your screen. It usually takes five to 10 minutes for the stick to override your old OS, but it can take a little longer on older computers.

You only need a few things to use Xtra-PC on your computer, including 2 GB of free memory and 512 MB of RAM. The system also needs either a USB 3.0 or 2.0 port.

You can easily bring up your system on the computer and make sure that you have enough RAM and memory space to use the device. The settings on your computer should also show whether you have the right type of USB port.

A nice feature of Xtra-PC is that you don’t need to follow a lot of complicated steps. There are multiple versions of Linux that you can use to make your computer run faster.

It’s recommended that you check out some helpful sites if you never used Linux before such as Linux.org and Linux and Ubuntu. While the first site serves as a forum where you can get help from other users, the second website features answers to common questions.

Anyone can understand how to use this device and the benefits of Linux on the web.

Performance

Linux is an open-source project, which makes it possible to find updates that help it run smoother. With Windows, you need to wait for Microsoft to release an update.

While there are different versions of Windows, your system needs some specific things to run newer versions. It’s impossible for older systems to run Windows 10, but older computers can run Linux.

The time that it takes to reach the boot menu will depend on the age of your system and other systems, but most users found that Xtra-PC lets them use their computers faster and spend less time waiting for their systems to start.

Get more from a slow PC with Xtra-PC.

Testing Methodology

Over the few weeks that we used Xtra-PC to boot Linux, we used multiple tests that included trying it on different computers. It didn’t work as well on Macs as it did on Windows PCs and required more steps to make it run on a Mac.

The makers claim that Xtra-PC can also function as an ordinary USB stick. If you have a large hard drive, you may want to invest in Xtra-PC Pro or one of the versions with more available free space.

Xtra-PC is easy to use on most computers and systems.

Who's This for?

Xtra-PC is for anyone who wants to use an old computer or a computer that runs too slowly. You can use the disk cleanup setting on your computer to delete temporary files and unnecessary programs, which can improve your speed. This doesn’t always work for everyone though.

Xtra-PC generally works well for users who want to use Linux and those who feel comfortable switching to a different OS. Some of those who could benefit from Xtra-PC include those who:

You can install and use Xtra-PC on any type of computer that has a USB port. If yours lacks a port, you can contact the maker of the product and get access to an online version that works just as well.

This product will require that you have both an internet browser and an internet connection though. You can use Xtra-PC on almost any type of computer.

What Programs Can You Add to Xtra-PC?

You can customize Xtra-PC to work with your favorite programs and apps.

Document editing software such as Open Office
Photo editing programs and software suites including Photoshop
Netflix and other streaming apps
Games
iHeartRadio and similar music apps
Firefox, Chrome, and other web browsers
Antivirus software

Can You Use Xtra-PC on Any Computer?

While the makers of Xtra-PC claim that it can work with most types of computers and even those that don’t have hard drives, there are some system requirements to use any version. It will only work on computers with a 700 MHz microprocessor or higher. You also need a 2.0 or a 3.0 USB port and a minimum of 512 MB of RAM.

The maker of the product recommends that your computer have at least 2 GB of memory. The computer also needs a graphics card capable of supporting HDMI, DVI, or VAG.

The computer should have a BIOS that gives access to the computer and lets it work with a USB drive. It also needs a network card, but the device works with both wired and wireless cards.

After you install and begin using Xtra-PC, you can work without connecting to the internet first. You can only install it if you have an internet connection though. This is because the device will use the internet to ensure that you have the most updated version of the OS.

How Long Does it Take to Get Xtra-PC?

Shipping typically takes four weeks or less depending on your location.

Where to Buy?

We found Xtra-PC devices available for sale on multiple websites including Amazon. Most of the reviews posted on Amazon are quite poor though, and many of those reviews focus more on the site than on the product. We also found that Amazon allows third-party sellers to list the product for sale.

When you buy from a third-party seller, you might get a used USB drive that someone already used on a different computer or one that lacks the original packaging. All purchases made through the official site come with a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

The official Xtra-PC site also offers a discount for those who buy in bulk. You’ll pay full price the first product, but you then get a 40% discount that applies to all other products purchased at the same time. This is a great way to gift holiday gifts for tech lovers in your family. All purchases made through the official site come with a 30-day money-back guarantee too.

30-Day Money Back Guarantee Details

You can customize Xtra-PC to work with your favorite programs and apps.

The Xtra-PC 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to request a full refund within 30 days of buying one of these products. Your 30 days will start on the date that the product ships to your home. The company asks that the product be in good and like-new condition and have the original packaging.

Types of Xtra-PC Products

Though people love to talk about Xtra-PC online, you might not realize that they refer to all products with the same name. This company makes three different products.

Xtra-PC Turbo 16

If you want to get an idea of how Xtra-PC works and want to save a little money, you might try the Turbo 16 first. It retails for $49.99. This model does attempt to improve computer speeds but lacks the features found on the more expensive versions.

Xtra-PC Turbo 32

The Turbo 32 increases the speed of your computer by 1.5 times what the Turbo 16 can. Retailing for $89.99 plus shipping and handling. In addition to helping your computer run faster, this model also comes with 32 GB of extra storage.

Xtra-PC Pro

If you want the best Xtra-PC product and don’t mind paying more, then the Pro is the best model for you. It retails for $159.99.

The Pro doubles the speed of the Turbo 16 and gives you an impressive 64 GB of storage for videos, photos, and other files. It also comes with file rescue software, which usually costs $99 on its own. This software lets you restore some of the files on old computers and make copies of those files.

How Can You Boot from the USB Port?

To use Xtra-PC each time you turn on your computer, you need to make your computer boot from that device instead of using its existing OS.

Press down on the setup button on your computer while it's turned off
Find the boot menu from the options that appear on the screen
Click on the USB option to tell your computer that you want it to always boot from there
Select the save button on the bottom of the screen to save those changes
Follow the same steps if you want to return to your original OS later

Should You Buy it?

Pros

Let’s discuss the pros of the Xtra-PC and its cons in this section.

Good for Beginners: Many users with less experience find that it takes a long time until they feel comfortable changing their BIOS systems and using new drives. Xtra-PC is a helpful product for beginners who want to learn Linux basics and use that OS. You get a USB stick that comes with the OS already installed and instructions that tell you the exact steps to follow to use that system.

Using Xtra-PC in Other Settings

Protection from Malware: Though Xtra-PC does not outright state that it offers protection from malware, it can keep you safe from viruses and other hazards. The Linux OS can also prevent you from downloading potentially dangerous files such as those attached to popular games.

Stay Safe on the Web: Xtra-PC lets you surf the web anonymously and without anyone knowing who you are or where you are.

Does Xtra-PC Come with Any Apps or Programs?

The extra programs included on your USB stick let you surf the web and do other things.

Other Benefits of Using Xtra-PC:

You can reuse old computers
The included apps let you do your favorite online and computer activities
All three of the products come with an updated version of the Linux OS
You can pick from those devices based on how much speed and extra storage you need
The USB drive lets you visit your favorite websites when connected to the internet, including Google and Facebook
You can save files to the drive that you view and use on other computers
With the Pro version, you get software that recovers lost, damaged, and deleted files
The device makes it easy for you to upgrade as new updates become available for Linux operating systems

Cons

The biggest complaint is a concern that the device adds a Linux OS to your computer, which you can do from other sources. Some of the other cons that we found during our research include:

It can take an hour or more to set up the product
There is a high chance that it will block access to the files on your computer
You usually cannot use the programs and software that your older OS used
The company charges high shipping rates to some areas
Some users waited weeks to get instructions on how to use it with a Mac and never got a response

Other Potential Issues with the Xtra-PC

Some shoppers found that the company overcharged them
There were issues with users getting their refunds within the specified time frame
Shipping can take much longer than shown on the website
Can delete files and programs on your computer
May not come with full instructions

The Competition

Xtra-PC is far from the only product that puts Linux on a USB drive.

One alternative is the Linux Mint 19.0 Cinnamon Install USB. It comes with a Linux OS that is easy to install and 16 GB of storage on a USB drive. You also get a DVD that teaches you how to use that OS and some extra software.

Another alternative to Xtra-PC is the Kali Linux Bootable USB, which includes 16 GB of storage. Both of these products received complaints from users that customer support never responded to their calls or that the USB was corrupted.

Microsoft makes it easy for users to add Windows 10 to their computers. This OS is in direct competition with Linux. With the Windows 10 Home Edition, you get a copy of Windows that you can install on your computer via a USB drive. This gives you full access to the Windows suite of programs too.

If you want to recover some of the files you lost, you can try software such as the 9th and Vine USB Drive. Not only can it recover missing or corrupted files, but it can help you reinstall programs on your computer.

Can You Use Xtra-PC with Other Products?

Some of the tools you can use with the Xtra-PC include wireless mice, keyboards, speakers and webcams. You just need to make sure there are available ports for those items.

Final Verdict

Working with a slow computer is incredibly frustrating. It can take minutes for the system to boot up and even longer before you can open a browser or run a program. While that slow speed can be the result of your location or ISP, it can also occur because your computer is too old.

Xtra-PC is a product that works on modern computers and those that run any type of OS. It works on both laptops and desktops and can even work on computers that have a lack of space or no hard drive. All you need is a computer with a USB port that meets the system requirements of the maker.

Reviews point out that you can get access to Linux from other sources for free. While that is true, Xtra-PC provides you with extra support that you can get over the phone or online. It gives you access to all the programs that you love and can even give you access to some of the files saved on your computer.

Edited and fact-checked by Jacob Wilson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-wilson-67959b21b/

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