Thoughts on this build

ThinkPad T60 Series - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating system language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium US English
Display type: 14.1 SXGA+ TFT
System graphics: ATI Mobility Fire GL V5250 256MB
Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Ethernet: Integrated 1Gb Ethernet
Wireless cards: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord: Country Pack North America
Modem cable (RJ-11): PSTN cable
Accessories and options:
ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with US/Canada/LA Line Cord

Okay, here is what I'm going for. I'm headed to grad school in 2 months, and want to get something to completely replace my current dell desktop and averatec laptop. This is going to be my only computer, so I need it to do quite a few things:

1) I need to write papers, use excel, etc.
2) I will have all my music (I don't normally listen to it on the cpu, just store it there to put it onto my iPod) available to transfer
3) Some gaming (not a huge gamer, but I would love to be able to play M2:TW, which I cannot currently due to my current set up)

I think I want to get an external HD that I can keep all my music on (since I don't play it from my CPU often) as well as any pictures I have and archived papers I don't need easy access to. I won't be taking this comp with me all the time, but will need to once in awhile, which is why I like the dock (I hear they work well with Lenovos) and I prefer to hook the unit up to my wireless Logitech mouse and keyboard, and my 19" monitor (both of which I currently have).

My concerns are these:
1) IBM had the computer supply contract with my old school, and they, for lack of a better word, sucked. They would break all the time, not run well, etc. Now, this was 5 years ago, and I understand that Lenovo now makes them, and they are great. But, with that experience, I am a little wary. Advice/thoughts?

2) The GPU. I looked it up on notebookcheck.net and it has a pretty weak benchmark. However, it also says people have made their own drivers for it, and with those drivers it is on par with the X1600. Is that true, or should I be looking for another unit with a better GPU?

EDIT: I also want to throw another 1GB of RAM into this - I've been told I should just buy it seperately and add it myself - am I able to do that?

Thank you for your help, oh wisened-ones

Thanks for the help everyone - I really appreciate it.

The IBMs offered by the bookstore were pre-Lenovo (ie, they were built by IBM (so I understand)). The fans would burn out, the case would come apart, the touchpad would cease working, etc...this happened with the vast majority of the units, and I know the kids using them weren't all abusing them (although some were I'm sure). How will the FireGL hold up with future games etc? Should I just wait for the t61p? Or should I be looking at Asus from NewEgg?