I would agree with the ideas above. Our time to start up AC is 20-30 seconds; log out takes a second, and logging into a new user is about 4 seconds.
The idea of buying new equipment might seem logical, but may not be necessary. If you can easily change your work flow, then go ahead, but that should not be necessary either.
I like Sandeep's suggestions: use Windows to log on and off, rather than AC. (That may also help determine if this is a networking or equipment issue, vs. something specific to AC).
Your wife's idea that this started with newer versions may be a useful hint. I think the newer versions handle deleted messages differently. Ctrl-U (user preferences)- General settings- Automatically clear 'deleted messages box' when logging out. See how many are in her deleted box and empty it.
