I also downgraded from Vista x64 to XP Pro i386 for about 2 months. I waited for decent mainboard, sound and graphics drivers and when I put it back on my machine is sooo much nicer.
If you are suffering from performance then it is more than likely that you need more RAM. 1GB of RAM just doesnt cut it, so performance on most laptops is going to suck eggs.
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Currently playing: GTA IV (PS3) & Devil May Cry 4 (PC).
Favourite Game of All Time: Streets of Rage II (MegaDrive)

Intel C2D e6700 @ 3.33GHz |Gigabyte - GA-EP45-DQ6 | MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB
2x Raptor 36GB in RAID0 (OS), 5x Seagate 250GB in RAID5 (1TB Storage)
CORSAIR XMS2 Pro 4GB (4x1GB) | LG L226WTQ 22" Widescreen TFT
Creative X-FI | Vista Home Premium x64, Suse x64.
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