How to Turn a USB Stick into an Ultra Portable PC [from Ralph]

[Mackin USA]

Who doesn't hate carrying around their laptop? Even the lightest ones weigh a couple of pounds and can be a huge burden to lug around the city. That's where portable apps, ones stored on a USB drive, come in.

Not only do portable apps let you hop between computers easily, they also keep your main machines clear of clutter and almost as speedy as when you first booted them up. If you're yet to dive into the wonderful world of portable apps, here's how you can get started.

http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/how-to-turn-a-usb-stick-into-an-ultra-portable-pc-1789983215

[littleman]

This is a useful thing for people traveling.  You could also make a USB stick boot Linux.  Many bios can boot directly from an external drive these days.  This way you could bypass all the garbage on the native OS.