Hello. Sorry if this is already posted elsewhere.
I'm running Ubuntu Desktop 32bit on my NC10 and I'm happy with it. However, I was thinking is there an easy way to add more performance, even if it isn't much.
I have already upgraded the ram to 2GB after purchase. Would a high speed 4GB SDHC card make a difference? Something like windows 7 readyboost for example?

And if it can, how should I proceed with configuring ubuntu to use it?

Any ideas and advice are welcomed. Thanks.

Hi,

AIUI, readyboost works by using a SDHC card as additional swap memory? If so, then I believe that this can be done on Linux too, but whether it will result in increased performance will depend on whether the card really is that fast and on what you're doing.

For sure, it will only be of any use if you are actually using all of the RAM that you currently have in there. Have you determined how much RAM of your 2GB you are actually using?

Is there some particular performance that you would like to see increase? Like is it a particular app that is slow? Or do you find the machine slow to boot or what?

Matt

If you do want to try it... here is some info about setting up ubuntu to do it...
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=395435

Reading some of that thread though, it more or less confirms what I was thinking... this isn't likely to increase your performance by much/at all.

* It's only going to make any difference if you're already using all of the 2GB RAM in your machine
* Your card is going to have to be faster than the hard disk for it to perform any better at swapping than your disk currently is
* It will trash your SDHC card eventually because they are not built for this sort of usage
* I guess it will use extra power so your battery wont last as long

So, I personally wouldn't recommend this...

Matt

Thanks a lot. I didn't have particular app in mind, and I don't feel any particular delay when using it. As I said, I'm happy with how ubuntu is running.
I was thinking more along the lines of general performance, maybe one of those things you can't see or feel right away but long term it benefits. When reading around before buying the NC10 I remember the info was similar. As long as you upgrade the ram to 2GB, not much more you can do. Not considering SSD (at the moment).
The SD card is fast, 150x, compared to standard cards. Short transfer test really gave over 20MB rate. And I still haven't bought the digital camera I planned, so it just occurred to me could I use the card somehow.
My thoughts were similar, even this 150x card probably can't match even a 5400rpm hdd.
Cheers.

I suppose that by using an SDHC card for swap then it saves the hard disk having to seek back and forth between data areas and swap areas on the same hard disk. But of course, only would be any benefit if you really are using more than your 2GB RAM - which I would say is quite unlikely to be honest...

Matt