560 purchasing risks

[Eran Tromer <tromer@shani.net>]

Good evening.

I'm considering buying a ThinkPad 560. Unfortunately this modal hasn't
been announced here in Israel and according to IBM will not be announced
in the near future. Therefore, it seem I'll have to mail-order it from
abroad. I'd appreciate advice on the following issues:

1. What are the chances of getting a defective unit? It would be, of course, 
grossly inconvinient and inefficient to take advantage of 30 day money-back
guarantees. I gather the most problematic system is the screen. Are dual-scan
screens, such as the one I'm intending to get, less prone to defects than 
active-matrix ones? Are there any other systems I should worry about in 
particular?

2. While 560s and 560-specific parts are not availably here (apart from 
warranty service), parts for other models (36x, 701, 75x, 76x) are. With what 
models is the 560 compatible in terms of hard drive, battery, memory DIMMs, 
port replicators, etc.?

3. Can you recommend a mail-order firm, preferably in Europe though the US will 
do, I can count on? So far I got positive responses only from CompUSA.

Thanks in advance.

  Regards,
    Eran Tromer