I am thinking about buying the Lenovo IBM thinkpad x41 tablet computer
to replace my current computer.   I would though like to use my
current computer (that I will be replacing) as a backup computer, one
that would be synced iwth the new computer, from time to time.   I
have some questions/ concerns.
1.  How compatible in general is the tablet computer mentioned above
with the programs, files, settings etc. I'm using on my current
Toshiba satelite PC using Windows XP home edition version 2002 service
pack 2?

2.  Will I need to buy new versions of the standard programs I use...
eg Office for Windows, Eudora, ...  Or will all programs that work on
my current computer work on this new XP tablet OS system?

3.  I have a huge mess of programs, documents, etc...   Is there any
online service...  or software...    that will simply replicate my
entire drive over on to the new computer so that it all works as it
was working on my current computer?    And if no, what is the closest
thing to this that I can shoot for?  (ideally would like to avoid
having to reinstall the programs on the new computer etc).

4.  Someone mentioned something to me about putting my old computer
(which I plan to keep as a backup computer) on my home network, and
using it remotely from my new computer.  Honestly didn't understand
but if there's some magic solution involving a home network, i have
one.

Hi markj123,
    I have addressed your concerns below:
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  1. The Think pad x41 comes with the 'Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
2005' operation system (OS). This OS is a superset of the 'Windows XP
Professional Edition' OS, which in turn is a superset of the 'Windows
Xp Home' OS that you are running on your current Toshiba system.
     Since the Tablet OS is a superset of your current OS, it will
support all the programs, files, ans settings that you use on your
current system.
     For more information on 'Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005', see
the FAQ on Microsoft's website:
        - Windows XP Tablet PC Edition frequently asked questions
          [http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=327160]

  2. You will not need to buy new versions of your old programs. All
of them will work on the new system. Note that you may have to buy
additional licences for your software if you plan to use it on both
the old and new systems, since a software license usually allows you
to install and use an application on a single machine only.

  3. Copying or imaging your comple drive would mean overwriting your
new systems OS installation with your previous systems OS
installation. i do not think that is what you meant, nor would it be
desirable. I assume you are interested in moving you installed apps
and other documents onto the new OS on your new system.
      While there are a couple of utilities that will move your
installed applications from one system to the other, their chances of
success vary depending on the application and the system. On the other
hand, there are a number of utilities that assist you in transferring
documents and settings to a new system. In fact, Microsoft bundles a
free utility (Files and Settings Transfer Wizard) with Windows XP
itself.
     You can take a look at this PC World review of migration
assistance apps available for Windows:
          - Migration Utilities
            [http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=41784,00.asp]
     Of the five utilities reviewed in the above article, only two can
 migrate installed applications. They are:
          - Alohabob PC Relocator Ultra Control
            [http://www.alohabob.com/]    
          - Move Me 
            [http://www.spearit.com/products.html]

     If you decide to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard that
comes with Windows XP (Look in Start Menu > Programs > Accessories >
System Tools), the following tutorial might be of use:
          - Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
            [http://www.techtutorials.net/tutorials/xp/xp_transfer_wizard.shtml]


   4. I am not sure whether you already have a home network setup, or
you require instructions for the same. If you need help in setting up
a network, it would be helpful if you could provide more information
on your current network setup and hardware.
     Regardless, the following tutorials should be helpful in telling
you how to go about setting up a home network:
         - Set up a wired network
           [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wired.mspx]
         - Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing
           [http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/]

   Once both your systems are connected to the network, you will be
able to control the old system remotely from the new system using the
Remote Desktop functionality built into Windows XP. Take a look the
the following tutorial:
         - Using Remote Desktop with Windows XP Professional
           [http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Using-Remote-Desktop-Windows-XP-Pro.html]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps!
If you require any clarifications, please do not hesitate to ask.

Regards,
Theta-ga
:)

good concise answer... provided me with just the info i needed.  One
last request if easy to answer, is there a good program that I could
use to "sync" the computers once I setup the new one?  (ie the old
computer serves as a backup for the new one... thus would need to
periodically sync the files etc.)