T42 Specs - Need opinion/help - please?

[jaykay]

Hello. I'm a little embarrased to post this since everyone has such technical questions relative to mine...but I'm narrowing down my laptop search and am in the midst of setting up an excel spreadsheet with all the prices + specs. I even emailed Bill for prices but then it just occurred to me that I'm not even 100% sure I have the right specs (sorry Bill!!). Thought I would ask some of the experts first.

Here is what I need to use the laptop for:

General Usage/Criteria
Laptop will be used for creating picture intensive powerpoint presentations, looking at xrays/CAT scans (big screen, high res, brightness and contrast important), vpn'ing into work. Will be extensively using excel and general word processing and the internet (for research) Will have many applications open at once. No gaming at all. Durability and longevity is very important. I want to be able to keep the laptop for at least 3-4 years.
(Please also note that I'm not computer techie + I just pulled an allnighter looking into laptops, so if I don't make any sense, well, lets just blame it on that!)

Here are the Specs that I'm thinking about getting.
Processor - 1.7 GHZ (at least, thinking about 1.8GHZ)
Memory - 256MB (at least, or 512MB)
Hard Drive - 40 vs. 60?

Display Size - 15 inches Flexible
Resolution - 1400 by 1050 (wondering if I should step this up to 1600 by 1200)
Graphics -64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 (vs. 128MB ATI Mobility FIREGL T2)

Pointing Device - Ultra Nav
Bay Type - UltraBay Slim
Optical - Combo (I think this is really all I need, don't think I will be recording DVDs)

Ethernet -Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Modem- 56K V.92 designed modem
Wireless- Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (how is this different from IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless?)

Warranty - Thinking about the three year (because I operate in worst case scenarios, but also read that one year is all you really need because if it breaks its going to do it in the first couple of months)

I'm wondering if I should step up to the higher level? And pay $$$$. Is it necessary for what I plan to use the computer for and how long I plan to use it? Or, conversely, are my specs too high?

Thanks for any help!

[sktn77a]

Your biggest question will be screen resolution. Definitely go with the 15" screen. After that, you have the choice of the Radeon 9600/1400x1050 or the Fire GL/1600x1200. Your need for high resolution would suggest the latter but word processing and reading e-mail, etc, might be difficult on this resolution. Personally, I can barely read the 1400x1050 so I'm very glad I didn't go for the higher resolution graphics. I prefer 1024x768 but it's not a native resolution of either LCD screen so text quality suffers when you adjust to the lower resolution.

[Porsche]

Simple solutions: in Word, change screen view to more than 100% to suit your need; in Internet Explorer, use the "accessibility" option; or change global screen resolution to something like 125% dpi or 150% dpi.

[AtmosMan]

If you are going to be using several applications at the same time, I would suggest at least 512Mb of memory, maybe more.

[jaykay]

Thanks for you input, I will switch it to 512Mb. So, is the consensus that I do not need to up the screen resolution?

What is the difference between: Wireless- Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG and IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless?

Do I need a 60 Hard Drive or is 40 sufficient?

[stgreek]

If you decide to get a thinkpad, try not to switch to IBM branded 512 MB RAM but go straight for 1GB Crucial RAM. The images you want to open are usually HUGE so more RAM will make it much faster. Other than that, I would recommend the 15" 1400x1050 display with a 9600 card, it is bright, good resolution for your images and the card is sorta futureproof. I would skip the Intel card, the IBM one works better with most APs and is less flimsy when connected. As for the hard drive, since you want futureproof technology you can go for the 60g 7200 drive, it is the fastest drive you can get today and you can easily feel the difference. Get the 3-year warranty, since you want the laptop for 3-4 years it is a no-brainer.

Stavros