After the relay switch and the cathode ray tube, rotating magnetic storage is the final part that is to be be replaced by silicon. And thus humanity frees the machine from its shaky, creaky, cranky mechanical shackles, and has created the ultimate device: a computer made of solid rock.
DIY LED's from solid rock, click the image for info
A few weeks ago I bought an Intel X25-M Solid State drive for my laptop, and I’m pretty happy with it. Combined with the boot improvements in Jaunty I can go from pushing the power button to seeing my home page in Firefox in just 45 seconds, and that’s including the three seconds it takes to type my password. Plus, the battery lasts significantly longer. Installation is as easy as any regular laptop drive. People say, and I would agree, that this is currently the most effective upgrade you can give to your laptop or desktop.
But don’t take my word for it. Check out this lengthy review, as well as these endorsements by Joel and Linus.
And for those who say boot time doesn’t matter: You’re an energy hog, please turn off your computer at night, and also drive your hummer into a wall.