Do not cut them up. The tastiest part of the potato lies just below the skin. After boiling, when they are warm, the skin will come off easily and you will lose less of the potato. Cook your eggs for your potato salad in the same pot as you cook the potatoes. Just lay them on top.
Potatoes absorb the flavors of spices best while they are warm.
Use salt, pepper, celery seed, etc.- a dash of mustard gives it a golden color. While it may be quicker, potatoes baked in the microwave are not as delicious as potatoes which are buttered and covered with aluminum and baked in your oven. Food wasted is money thrown out the window.