About to pull the trigger - need some advice

[A2 Thinkpad]

Well after reading this terrific forum over the last two weeks I think I am about ready to pull the trigger on a new laptop, but I have a few questions I hope you folks will be able to answer.

First a little background: I am coming out of a Dell C400 which has served me well over the last 6 (!!!) years. I considered the Dell 620, but have gotten scared off by the reviews of bad screens. I also have a Dell XPS tower at home and have been pretty unhappy about the quality. Anyway, this new laptop will be primarily for business use - lots of Excel, Word, database management and internet use. Occasional DVDs. I use the notebook docked every day and take it home every night. I also will be taking it on once a month business trips. I am looking at a Thinkpad T60p T7400 with 2.1 Ghz/2mb RAM. I realize this is probably more than I need, but I pass my used laptops down to the kids so I need the specs to be good for some years. Here are my questions:

1. Screen - I would really like the flexview, but the 15" T60 seems awfully large. I think I have decided on the 14.1 " SVGA+, but I am a little concerned about small type. My current 12.1" screen is XGA and I doc it to a 15" 1024x768 LCD. I have no problem with the resolution on either. Would I be better of with the 14.1 SVGA of the regular T60? I have read mixed reviews on the 14" screen's brightness. Is this an issue?

2. Extended warranty - Depot or on-site? I have always had Dell on site service and frankly never used it. Does the depot service work well?

3. Video card and processor - I am interested in long battery life but am willing to give up some for better performance. How much difference would there be between the T60p battery life and a T60 with the lessor video card and perhaps slightly lower clock speed processor?

4. Ultrabay - forgive my ignorance, but does the ultrabay drive just pop out if you want to install an ultrabay battery, or is it more involved than that.

Thanks in advance - sorry for the long post.

[tomh009]

The 14.1" SXGA+ display is about 125 dpi as compared to the 105 dpi you have now, so things will look about 20% smaller until you start adjusting things. If you are concerned about small text and the XGA screen real estate isn't an issue, get the 14.1" XGA -- that's what my dad has, as his eyesight doesn't need extra-small text!

For business apps I would stick with the integrated graphics. The GMA 950 is plenty fast for business apps (and for Aero), and far faster than your C400. Discrete graphics will use the battery faster and will make the system run hotter (thus inducing more fan noise). The 7200 rpm 100 GB disk would be a great choice, though.

Yes, Ultrabay devices just pop out and back in.