I don’t know any MacBook users that use external mice.

I do, when I'm at home. For me, I've found I get slightly better fine pointer control using a mouse, and I can work a bit faster.

So how do you scroll on a trackpad without a wheel?

Scrolling is a two-fingered dragging motion.

 

So how do you scroll on a trackpad without a wheel?

On my Acer Aspire One the scroll function is the right edge of the trackpad . You just move your finger along the right edge, and that works same as scrolling wheel.

Regarding the tap for left click, someone wrote earlier that just putting finger on the pad would act like a click and they could not stand it. I think the solution is that multifunction trackpads come with a small utility program where you can adjust the behavior of the trackpad. Obviously just touching the pad should not activate left click so the sensitivity of the pad needs to be adjusted.

 

Late to the thread... but #12, whatever you decide on (if it's not too late already) try to max the RAM capability of your laptop, either before or after you buy it. It improves performance significantly. You won't regret it.

 

Someone mentioned

Some of the larger laptops have two bays so you can have two storage devices. Can do hd+hd or ssd+hd or ssd+ssd.
Remember. CD rom drive are almost dead now so the cases now have space for second drive, ssd or hd.

I bought a Sony Vaio in 2006 that had 2 drive bays.

 

I bought a Sony Vaio in 2006 that had 2 drive bays.

I have an adapter that can connect any old HDD or DVD burner/reader to any USB port.
Not convenient, but effective when necessary.