X220 - questions from a potential new user coming from a macbook pro

Question

I have been using a macbook pro as my primary laptop for the last few years.
But I think it will now be more useful for me to have a windows laptop because I need to run a lot of windows programs and running them on the macbook either via virtualization or dual-booting leads to a mediocre battery life (compared to running OS X). Good battery life is becoming more and more important to me.
Hence, I am considering getting a Thinkpad X220. I have never owned a Thinkpad or other Lenovo laptop. Any help with the questions I have below would be greatly appreciated.
The features I value most on my Macbook are excellent build quality, nice clear display, the multitouch trackpad (gestures such as three finger dragging etc), relatively quiet operation, and excellent technical support. I know Thinkpads are renowned for excellent build quality, but how does the X220 compare on the other features?
I don't expect any Windows laptop will have as good multitouch support as the Macbook. But how does the multitouch support on the X220 compare with other Windows laptops?
Looking at the configuration options for the X220 I see there are a number of screen options. Of the two screens with webcams, one is called HD and the other is called Premium HD. Are these screens the same as TN and IPS (which seem to be the terms used in reviews on the web)?
I am considering buying on ebay instead of new. What is a fool-proof way of identifying whether the screen is HD or premium HD (e.g. a marking or a device manager name)? I ask so that I can instruct ebay sellers to check/confirm the screen type for me.
How easy and costly is it to replace the HD screen with premium HD at a later date?

Answer 1

1) When referencing files to their hard drive
location on import, can I later move the files on the
hard drive using Aperture to do the moving?
according to the overview and a comment from joe schorr in another thread, yes
2) After importing raw photos (referencing them to
their location on a hard drive) and editing them, can
I:
a) manually sort the remaining images
b) then rename them in that order (so that the new
name appears on the hard drive as well)
c) then sort by filename?
not sure yet, will have to wait to play with it ...
3) When cropping, is there perspective control? For
instance, if I am shooting a building, can I
straighten the lines?
do you mean the ability to correct perspective distortion? No ...
4) Can websites be directly uploaded to a 3rd party
server using ftp or do I need to export the website,
then upload using a separate ftp program?
as of the current version, no, and no mention of it in the overiew of new features ...
5) Sometimes when exporting files to a TIF or JPG, I
would like to manage these new files in the program
as well. Is there a way to import files into
Aperture during the export process? Or, would I have
to manually import the exported files. And is there
a way to tie each exported file to its master?
no, manually import, make a stack out them ...
6) Is there dual monitor support?
always has been
7) When lifting and stamping adjustments from one
photo to another, is crop one of the adjustments that
can be used?
no mention in new features - wait and see
8) I have a MacPro with 2gb of ram, but how will the
performance be with the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT video
card?
cannot comment on 7300 GT performance with 1.5, it isn't out yet ...
9) How does batch renaming photos work with stacks?
For instance, if you rename a group of photos with
stacks, are the photos in the stack included in the
renaming process?
as far as i know, if there are selected the get added to the batch process ...
Thanks!
sure thing