SSD's

[#1]

Actually, there may be a cheaper way.
I recently tried (purely on an experimental basis) loading a virtualised Windows XP on my Linux PC.
I allocated 512MB memory, 64MB for video, 100% of one processor (on a dual CPU) and a 10GB virtual disk.
Time from "boot" to logged in as a user = 30 seconds.
I have a laptop with roughly those specs and it takes 10-15 minutes to start up.

[#2]

You need one of my 5 TB Write Only drives; very fast,  excellent price only £50 in used tenners.

[#3]

Quote from: A

I have a laptop with roughly those specs and it takes 10-15 minutes to start up.

Which means there is something badly wrong with it!

[#4]

It's just Windows. 
The only way to speed it up would be to reinstall Windows (if I had the CD) and reinstall all patches, service packs, drivers, applications etc
I don't have a spare couple of weeks.

[#5]

Quote from: A

It's just Windows

Trust me, Jeremy, it really isn't!