If you have access to install Windows Vista on a system with 1GB of RAM or less, you should definitely look into plugging in a ReadyBoost compatible USB memory stick.
In short, Vista will use your USB memory to cache file operations.
Read about this technology here from Microsoft.
If have tested it, and can verify that this technology in deed improves the overall Vista performance.
In my case, I did test it using one of those multi-card readers with an USB 2.0 interface. I put a high-speed Secure Digital card in it and Vista asked me if I wanted to use ReadyBoost on this device.
Its simple.
And SD cards are relatively cheap so it is a great way of improving your Windows Vista performance.
When you plug in an USB memory stick or memory card, a wizard will guide you through the steps.
If you later want to turn off or of the ReadyBoost feature, simply right-click on the drive’s properties and select the ReadyBoost tab:
Technorati tags: USB, ReadyBoost, Vista, Performance