Abstract: A native device includes a memory storing a personal computing environment; an interface configured for coupling with a host information processing system; a native function system for performing a native function; and a native function emulator for emulating the native function in the host information processing system. According to another embodiment, a host information processing system includes: an interface for coupling with a native device comprising its user's personal computing environment; a processor configured for operating with the native device when the native device is coupled; and logic for emulating functions of the native device when the native device is coupled.

Abstract: A portable device is connected to a host system that operates according to a first industry standard architecture (e.g., a personal computer built according to the IBM Personal Computer standard). The user initiates a session in the host system using the software and data in the portable device. The user suspends the state of the session, the state is stored in the portable device, and the user disconnects the portable device from the host. The user later connects the portable device to a second host that operates according to a second industry standard architecture (e.g., Apple Macintosh™ computer). The second host boots an autoconfiguring host operating system stored in the portable device and starts a virtual machine layer also stored in the portable device. The user then resumes operation of the suspended virtual machine layer session.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes steps of: coupling a portable device comprising a personal computing environment to a host computer system; booting the host computer system from the portable device; determining that the portable device does not have a driver for one or more hardware elements found in the host computer system; transmitting a request to a local zone provisioning server, for the one or more device drivers.