looking to buy a thinkpad any advice

[fr0zenmon]

This laptop will serve multiple functions.
1. school typing and archiving papers and assignments
2. server: web site w/ e-commerce processing - archiving contracts
3. multimedia [Is the integrated video card going to be a problem?]
4. Handle my backpack

the machine must be able to handle the following programs w/o being sluggish.
- ms office
- adobe illustrator/flash movies for site
- multimedia's

Must haves:
- be quiet and fast
- full, good keyboard [thats why i am looking at TP}
- No slowdown when dealing w/ multimedia and office apps
- price under $1500
- dvd-burner drive
- light, sturdy and reliable
- good screen resolution
- core duo 2 [can you suggest a good value of price/performance]
- be able to plug into monitor and desk keyboard and mouse
-

Wish List
- Rom 4gb [
- 7200rpm hard drive
-


I am looking to start web design can you give me specs that I should consider when buying a TP. Also whats up with the deals, is that ontop of the deals by lenovo. How do the deals work?

What is the main difference between the R/T/X series? Is it just price and weight. What model will give me the most value for my dollar. I really like the x61 tablet and x61 but not having a dvd-r drive is to hard to take. Its not like I could add a generic external burner, right? Has anyone used a non-ibm external usb drive instead of the media base? Or do you guys know a cheap media slice.

I am also looking at the acer aspire 5700 series and Hp pavilion dv6700t series just to give you a better picture of where my head is at.

I am also looking at some of the additional products. Are these worth it.
- thinkplus usb optical wheel mouse
- intel turbo memory hard drive cache
- thinkpad ultrabase x6 [ can i use external dvd-rw w/o this]
- wireless/bluetooth/battery
- usb port replicator
- external keyboard [ can i use apple's keyoboard on TP?]

Do you think the warranties and accidental damage protection is worth it?

when i configured x60 this at lenovo it came out to over $1700 before taxes and shipping. That is way to high for me. I would like to pay around $1,200 give or take $200.00 can you help me?

from what i have said, do you think I would benefit from vista business over the home standard?

anyone bought the base model and upgraded the stuff themselves? how did you do it and what were the costs. I plan on using tigerdirect unless someone knows a better place.

for processor and ram what should i look for in terms of speed and bus? Is more better and if so how much is enough for my needs, based on what i have said?


If i missed anything or someone is in a similar situation I would like to hear from you.

thanks guys...