ReadyBoost or not:

First we ran Window Experience Index (WEI) using 512 MB, 1GB and 2GB system memory.




There is a huge jump from 512MB to 1GB, and ever so slightly from 1 to 2GB. Using 512MB with Vista together with shared memory in a laptop is a "torture", believe me.

If you see the screen below, your SD or USB flash card is not meant for ReadyBoost.



Yet, it does not mean the card has low read/write speed as the tests continue. The Toshiba SD 1G fails; it merely means not meeting Microsoft requirements here. Take a lot Sandra file system benchmark below.



Toshiba card scored zero on access time. Scratching my head, I went on to copying Autocad 2002 program files to and from the cards. Clearly, Toshiba card is not the worst.

Seconds

With one card out of the race, we proceeded to find out how ReadyBoost might speed up by running PhotoImpact 7 with photos.



Although the chart shows decent improvement, please bear in mind that using 512MB + ReadyBoost does not lower your blood pressure during system startup time at all.

Since SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo are meant for video camera unlike USB flash. We look at how they perform with Jpg and Avi files. The test is with 2GB system memory. While the Toshiba card fails ReadyBoost, it performs quite nicely here.



In short, we found out SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo can be used for ReadyBoost. They are better than USB if not the speed it is nicely tugged into the laptop.



The Micromate adapter did not come with the Sandisk 4GB card. I purchased it locally after I noticed my laptop would not recognize the card at all. Nevertheless, the card works in the camera, and the built-in reader works well with other SD cards. The shortcoming of the Micromate is the size and shape.



You will find it unfit for certain USB port location; or it will occupy more than one USB ports after insertion.