I am an IT consultant, use my current TP for business as well as personal. For business I don't get into any of the coding apps, but usually need several apps open and operating efficiently at once. For personaly use, I am not into gaming or the like, and in terms of graphics mainly use it for pics/photos and video (streaming; DVDs; ReplayTV; and possibly soon editing/burning - but amateur). I am about to buy a new TP T42 (currently have a R30) and have chosen the 2378FZU based on hardware/features v. price (among TPs that is) - this is its config:


Operating System
Operating System 1
Operating System Title Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Architecture
Bus type/architecture PCI
Bays Ultrabay Slim
Indicator light Yes
Cover material Magnesium
PC Card support 2 Type I/II or 1 Type III


Display
External display supported Yes
Simultaneous external display Yes
Screen type description TFT
Viewable image size (diagonal) inches 15.0
Screen illumination Backlit
Max colors or gray shades 16777216
Maximum Resolution 1024x768


Graphics
Video RAM std/max 32MB
Description ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Graphics type XGA
Video RAM type DDR SDRAM
Max resolution 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with max video RAM) 16777216
Graphics bus interface AGP 4X
Video on Planar Yes


Processor
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium M Processor 735
Processor speed[1] 1.70 GHz
Front side bus (FSB) 400 MHz
Internal L2 cache memory size 2 MB


System memory
Memory (RAM) std/max[8] 512MB / 2GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 1 SODIMM
Memory speed 333 MHz
RAM type DDR SDRAM
Module specifications PC2700


Hard drive
Hard disk size (GB)[4] 40 GB
Interface type ATA-100 (Enhanced IDE)
Hard drive speed (RPM) 5400


Optical device
Optical device CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Device interface EIDE
Optical device speed[5] 24X/24X/24X/8X Max


Audio
Integrated speakers 2
Speaker power rating 1.0 Watts
Volume control buttons Yes
Speaker Quantity 2 (Internal Speakers)
Number of speakers 2
Audio chipset SoundMAX
Audio data width n/a
Audio on planar Yes


Communications
Fax/modem description 56K V.92 designed modem
Fax/modem speed[3] 56Kbps data/14.4Kbps fax
Infrared port Yes
Infrared port speed 4Mbps
Wireless type LAN
Wireless standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless speed 11b:11Mbps, 11g:54Mbps
Ethernet description Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet interface type Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated
Ethernet on motherboard Yes


Wireless Networking Components
Wireless Standard[10] Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Wireless Type LAN
Antenna Ultra Connect
Description Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Frequency 802.11b/g: 2.4GHz
Wireless Implementation (Form Factor) Mini PCI


Accessories
A/C adapter 72 watt
Worldwide A/C compatibility Yes
Port replication Optional
Docking station None


Standard features
Pointing Device Type IBM ThinkPad UltraNav
Keyboard light Yes


Expansion options
Plug and play support Yes
Parallel Port Type 1 (EPP)
Serial Port Type 2 (USB 2.0)
Port connectors 2 USB 2.0, AC adapter, Expansion Bus port (for Dock II/Mini Dock or Port Replicator II), External Display, External microphone, Headphone/Line out, Infrared, Parallel, RJ-11, RJ-45, S-Video out
Compact flash slot No
Compact Flash Slot No
Security Chip IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
BIOS type Flash ROM
Infrared Support Yes


Weight & dimensions
Height 1.2 in
Depth 10.6 in
Width 13.0 in


Security
Security features Hard disk drive password, Power-on password, Supervisor password, IBM Security Slot, IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0


Limited warranty[7]
Type of service[13] Customer Carry-in Repair or ThinkPad EasyServ
Limited warranty period One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)


Packaging
Weight metric 2.6 kg
Weight US 5.7 lbs


Battery
Battery Types 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
Battery Voltage 10.8 V


Software[12]
Operating system provided Microsoft Windows XP Professional

I have also posted on forums.thinkpad.com, but having read some of the posts on there the vast majority of users/posters seem to be college kids and gamers. My requirements would obviously be different. And I thought I would get the opinions of FTers who would be more similar users to myself.

So here are my outstanding questions:

• I have read some comments about the 15" 1024x768 resolution and XGA - can someone explain why this may be a problem? Do I really need SXGA+ - and if so I have read 15" is not the best for that. True?
• Also is the Radeon 7500 not appropriate for my purposes? Some of the other T42 configs are Radeon 9000.
• I originally thought of going for a 60Gb HD but looked at my current 40Gb and I still have 23Gb unused. I also have an external (USB) 40Gb HD. So have 'almost' decided to settle for the 40Gb for now - and if in the future need a larger HD can trade up for a couple of hundred bucks. Opinions on this?
• is the 5400rpm HD fine for my purposes or should I go for a 7200 rpm HD
• any other issues I should consider?

Also, I intend to purchase the 3 (or possible 4) year warranty extension add-on.

Thanks in advance