Could you describe your problem in more detail? I don't think this is similar to what I was experiencing at all...
My "freeze" problem only lasts a few seconds when it happens, and it only happens after you first start MC up and play the very first track. After that, it is usually fine. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the startup procedures MC has to do. If I load MC, and wait a minute or so before I start playing something, I also usually have no issues.
I'm also not having as much trouble with current builds.
Those pocket drives are extremely slow. I'd strongly recommend you move your library files (the database, not the media files) from the pocket drive over to the C drive and see if the problem resolves itself. I bet that's it. Those pocket drives are small and handy, but they are not very zippy!! Usually 4200rpm 2.5" drives on a slow USB bus...