Need advice on T60 specs

I am about to order a T60 with the following specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo T5500
XP Home
14.1" SXGA+ TFT (1400x1050)
1 GB Memory
Intel GMA 950
100 GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
8x Max Dual Layer DVD Recordable
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Mini-PCI Express Adapter

I will be using the laptop to store and run a number of programs like Matlab, STATA, Gauss, Fortran, Mathematica, etc. for coursework and empirical papers. I also plan to do presentations (Power Point) and store some data (maybe not in the laptop?).

Will use wireless for school, work and fun. Also plan to watch movies and listen to music when I need a break from school or work.

Do you think the specs I got are more than enough to handle everything I want to do with the laptop? How good or bad are the "Intel GMA 950" and "Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Adapter" compared to the other offers of Lenovo? Will they be enough for what I need from the notebook?

Lastly, can I easily upgrade from XP Home to Vista when the time comes? Is it for free?

Please advice...

Thanks!!

 

I have a friend that runs a Methlab too. He swears by his 14.1 T60 for realiability and portability. Especially the latter coz when he needs to run, he needs to run

Also, I dont think vista will be free if your order XP home. May want to look into XP Pro for that.

 

Ok. Thanks...I'll ask about the XP Pro.

 

Your school may require Pro if you have to log into a NT Domain controller to access network resouces. Home cannot do this. Plus the upgrade to Vista Business is free so it will only be another $20 in the long run.

 

Thanks Zaz...I'll check with the sales rep with regards to ordering pro instead of home.

 

Zaz, I think my school doesn't require XP Pro, so my only worry would be having the specs to convert to Vista when it somes out next year.

Please advise...

Thanks!!

 

If you don't need it for school and want to save some money, I say go with Home.

 

I'm sure you school probably has some deal with Microsoft at the campus book store that will let you purchase xp pro cheap. I think at ours it is around $10 with like two installs allowed but if you want to get vista for free you'd probably have to get xp pro from lenovo. I'd definitely check that as stringer suggested.

 

Hey guys thanks for the advice.

I finally went with XP Pro and made sure that my T60 was Vista ready. I'm really happy with my choice.

So here are my new specs:
Core 2 T5500
XP Pro
1 GB Memory
100 GB HD
AMG 950 Graphics
14.1" SXGA+
+ all the other standard stuff and free upgrades that come with the order!

Thanks and I'm sure I'll really enjoy this for some time!