Notebook Encryption

I'll get a ThinkPad T400 with these specifications. T9400 (2.53 GHz1066MHz 6MBL2), Vista Business, 14.1 WXGA + LED screen, ATI Mobility Radeon 3640 with 256MB, 3GB SDRAM, 160GB hard drive 7200 rpm, DVD Recordable Ultrabay. I am an ordinary Joe who will use it to Joe ordinary orders and write stories and novels, etc. You can call me a dilettante (amateur) as well. I think to change my order for Vista Business Ultimate, because it Bitblocker and / or get the 200 GB 7200 RPM drive with encryption. Any help. So I know I must temper my desire for secrecy and protection with the property that I am a total computer does not know things that can mess with encryption commands. Why did I buy a Thinkpad? I like the matte screen and it looks in general. Why so complex a system for such an ordinary Joe? Just the way I'm wired. You should see what I spent on my bike.

Get one that requires a password to access the drive at startup. I think it's the disk encryption then?

You can always get an open-source software such as TrueCrypt.

If you are not seriously concerned about someone stealing your hard drive and steal all the information it contains, I would not do it.

However, if you are constantly attacked by pirates and ninjas who want to steal your stories, certainly get it.