T500 Upgrades...Help.

I've been doing a lot of research, and I just wanted to make sure that I'm not screwing up a new laptop.
I'm planning on purchasing a thinkpad T500 some time in the next few weeks, and it currently looks like this.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
15.4 WXGA TFT, w/ LED Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB with Intel Advanced Management Technology
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
2081: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

I plan on adding/upgrading with another 2GB memory stick and a 320 GB HDD 7200 rpm from newegg. I also want to use Win 7 RC until I get the free upgrade to full Win 7.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148192
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280

As far as the memory is concerned, it is basically just putting the stick into the right place, yes?

Since I am getting Win 7 RC + new HDD, can I put in the blank 320GB HDD and install Win 7 RC on there with no problems? (Just follow the Installing Win7RC Instructions?)

I want to keep some thinkvantage stuff, so would it be a good idea to get an external enclosure so I can transfer whatever I want to keep from the 160GB HDD to the new one? Is there anything else that I *need* to keep/transfer?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392015
(Useful storage for the old HDD as well)

Do I need backup/recovery stuff or can I just not worry about it because it's on the old HDD untouched? Is there drivers I need to be concerned with because I know Win 7 needs specifics?

Also any advice/comments/warnings on any products I've listed or the T500 customization would be greatly appreciated. I'm entering new territory, so hope I didn't miss anything. Thank you in advance.

 

I believe the Windows 7 Upgrade disk will be a bootable disk, so yes, it should install on your blank hard drive with no issues at all.

Since you are ordering your T500 with 1 DIMM, it will be as simple as inserting an additional module into place. There are video walkthroughs of how to do this, in addition to Lenovo's Hardware Maintenence Manual.

The Windows 7 Upgrade kit likely comes with a separate disk that has all the drivers and ThinkVantage software that you would need, so I do not think that an external enclosure is necessary in your case, although it would give your old hard drive a useful purpose.

Regarding your configuration:
1.- Even though you may not use it much, it may be worth it getting the DVD burner for a purpose as simple as burning your Vista recovery disks - you don't want to burn a huge stack of CDs for recovery.
2.- I have heard that the LED WXGA screen is not really vastly brighter than the WSXGA+ screen, although I haven't seen both side by side, so I don't know for certain. At the cost of so much screen real estate, I'd personally suggest going with the WSXGA+ CCFL display.

Other than that, solid config.

 

as someone who has the wxga led screen, go for the wsxga+ screen. the extra brightness is not worth the resolution lost.

 

Thanks! Umm, when you said "Windows 7 Upgrade kit" did you mean the full version or the RC?

I also noticed that there are Lenovo Win 7 drivers.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=WIN7-BETA

If I install the Win7 RC on the blank hard drive and then install those drivers, I should be good to go? I don't need anything from my old hard drive?

 

Switchable graphics will give you the best of both worlds, so I see no reason not to go with it, especially given that with Lenovo's funky pricing scheme, it will be only minimally more expensive than a model with integrated graphics. I would keep the switchable graphics option.

By upgrade kit, I meant the final release. By purchasing now, Lenovo will send you a free Windows 7 upgrade kit when it is released. The kit will contain a Windows 7 installation disk and a drivers disk.

Personally, I would not recommend installing Windows 7 RC, and just waiting until the final release (although I know many would disagree with me). Using the upgrade kit that will be sent to you would be much easier, in any case.

 

If I decide not to go with Windows 7 RC, do I install Vista fresh or what's the process to transfer what was on my old HDD?

 

When you get your laptop, which will have Vista preinstalled, boot into it first. Then, open up Computer in Windows Explorer, and double click on the Lenovo partition (should be drive Q). You'll be prompted to burn your Vista recovery disks. Do that, and then you'll have a set of 3 disks. You can use these disks to install Vista fresh onto your new, blank CD.

Alternatively, you can use drive cloning software and an external enclosure to mirror your hard drives.