Hi again,
As I've recently updated my own computer (for a change!)and thought I'd be a good boy and get it fully up-to-date. So I downloaded the latest BIOS update (F4F) and applied it via the friendly OS based App, restarted and noticed a big difference in boot speed. So much so that I reverted to the previous release (F3) but that slight lag didn't disappear.
So, as per my usual rule of thumb - update the bios only when something isn't working!
One thing I do think is unnecessary is providing the option to load a program for BIOS updating - what was so difficult about doing it in the BIOS or pre-OS state? Just a surplus facility in my opinion!