The first thing I would suggest is downloading and installing an ASIO driver if you don't already use one. http://www.asio4all.com/ ASIO4ALL is free and will make a HUGE difference.
The second thing I would suggest is creating a new Hardware profile. Before your OS loads it will allow you to pick the profile, I.E. Services you want loaded when windows starts. Services would be the main culprit as far as wasted processor cycles are concerned.
[This is where the list of Non essential Services will go.]
The third thing I would suggest is creating at least one more XP login. I have two. One is called Live and the other is called Mix. At the XP Welcome screen it asks me which login I would like to use. If I am going to be doing a Live gig I would choose the "Live" Login. If I am going to be mixing other peoples music I would choose the "Mix" login. Each of these logins boots directly into the program I would be using as the shell.
In windows we commonly think of the "Shell" as the Desktop. for a Vanilla XP install this is always the executable known as "explorer.exe". For my Live login I have the computer immediately load Live as the shell. I don't get a taskbar, a desktop, any systray icons or anything like that but since the only program I will be using is Live, non of that actually matters. For my Mix login I have the shell set as Deckadance. When I load with that login the only thing that loads is the program Deckadance.
Lastly I would make sure that under any of these logins, Non essential startup programs aren't loaded either. Things under the reg key LOCAL MACHINE are loaded no matter what Hardware Profile or XP login you use. These MIGHT need to be loaded depending on your Computer or peripherals. Things that start up through Start Menu/Startup more often than not do NOT need to be loaded in order for your computer to function perfectly well. This is the same with things under the Current User reg keys. They probably don't need to be loaded in order for your computer to work.
A handy program that I've used for many years can be found at http://www.mlin.net/ It's called Startup Control Panel. I would just download the executable version it's just as good as the control panel applet that goes into your control panel... but without the hassle.
This is a thread in progress, and all the info isn't here yet.. But I think it's a decent start. Doing some or all of these things will allow you to use your Laptop in the conventional manner when perusing the internet or whatnot, while at the same time having setups that will let you get the most from your computer when your only using for one thing.
There will infact be two Non Essential Service lists. One for pure audio, and one for audio and essential networking while using audio, say.. in a setup where you use MIDI over IP or want to use your nintendo DS as a MIDI control device.
By all means please add whatever insight you have to this thread right now. Future edits will go directly into this post.
Hopefully the info I put here will save people time and hair follicles.
Moderator Request: I had thought I put this under tips and tricks but apperantly not. Can I please have this thread moved to that sub-forum... or a sign that the thread is kosher where it is?