Choosing model for Father

[drwngflies]

Ok, I would like to ask opinions on a choice of Laptop for my Father.
I am 100% Desktop, and know a fair amount (enough to choose components) but know not of laptop do's and don'ts.
Here's the situation:
He's a beginner in Computers so ease of use is a must.
I'll be showing him the basics of surfing, email, setup, antivirus, running appls., etc.
This will not be a gaming rig, but good graphics are wanted for future use, if the need arises. I feel after he learns the basics, he will add a CAD program for his work: (steel pipe welder/industry). So, the graphics will mainly be for 3D appls.(Photoshop, AutoCAD, or similar)
I want a system he won't need to add anything major, for at least two years.
Wireless connectivity (WAN), and bluetooth capable, for headsets, and/or mouse, plus I want to add a cellular card from Cingular, since most of his work is away from major cities where DSL connection is rare if at all.
He is into Saxaphone playing, so downloading tabalature (sp*) and sheet music is a known Yes. Also, mp3's of his music he wants to learn/play. But, I also want the capability to add a nice audio editing program (maybe Sony Soundforge) for future use. So, a nice audio output is wanted as well.
I will add external speakers later, so the supplied speakers aren't that important.
I want at least 1GB RAM, faster the better.
The HDD should be at least 80GB, since I plan to add an external HDD (120-250GB) to split into half, half saving just music and videos, and half for backup purposes.
Also, his eyes aren't in the best shape, after staring at a welding arc for 40+ yrs, so a bright, or very nice display is desired. I am thinking at least a 15" screen.

Price: under $1500 with best batteries, no docking station unless someone feels this is worth the extra cost.

I am weary of Dell, (except the 2yr warranty) from the trouble I've read from others with accessing BIOS features and such, and all the bloatware they force upon a buyer, but he won't be overclocking anything, so if my fears are unfounded here, please let me know. (I'm used to fiddlin' with my rig, but he won't be needing more that stock speeds)

What I found so far, short of ordering a custom build from Powernotebooks.com, I have narrowed down to three.
So, please provide input as to these as (in my curve) or suggest another model, or changes I need to address.
I'm looking at purchasing this in the next two months.
Thanks Guru's...
Peace

Models I am seeing as close to my needs/wants so far:
1.) ASUS A6Jc-Q062H $1,298.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220032
2..) ACER AS5672WLMi-120 $1,349.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115224
3.) DELL E1505 Dual Core $ 1,537
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...=E1505S3&s=dhs
With these options, makes it the upper limit for budget, @ $1537
CPU: Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2400 (2MB Cache/1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
OS: Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Recovery CD: Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD
Remote: Remote Control for Windows XP Media Center Edition
Display: 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
RAM: 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
HDD: 80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive: 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R
WAN: Intel® PRO 3945 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
Gfx: 128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™
Audio: Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Battery: 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
*** 4.) I considered the DELL XPS M1210 @ $ 1,642 (with options) but the screen is small.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...=M1210S2&s=dhs

PS: All the Norton crap will be immediately unistalled (thnx ACER...) and I use Zone Alarm for F/W, and thought of using it on this notebook. Is there a more preferred option specifically for WAN I should try? or is ZA enough?