Boot time optimization is important for 3 reasons if not more:
1. Laptop users
2. Eco-friendly/Frugal desktop users
3. It sets the stage for what to expect everytime the computer *IS* loaded (meaning if it is slow and unpolished the user percieves what follows as more of the same. I call this "generalization before specification").
It is like a nice dry wine. Even though the actual taste of the wine is superior to the overly sweet alternatives most (especially unexperienced) drinkers are put off by the pungent first sip. This is the doorway to all the work we do and failing to construct it porperly because some dont benefit is a bit short sighted in my opinion. Besides the gdm puts unexperienced users at ease and all the text flying by make them very nervous.
-- Michael Favia
