Hi JDeath!
I'm new too and like you got the n770,after much reviewing as gift to myself. I also jumped from IT 2007 HE,to IT 2006SE. I have a 1 gig card and virtual memory is 64mb but HE builds still are slow and packages seem larger for that OS. I used nearly 90 percent of space! MicroB loaded slower,and Canola2 never installed right.
So,back to 2006 I am. Everything is fasrer and even with same software,I took up only 50 percent of space! Wow! MicroB is faster due to lacking plugins. I'm using it now in ITT.
It's best to use 2006. Old maybe,but it has themes,software and speed that feels new. Try out all the software,and you'll see it's no big difference. Same stuff in 2008 is for 2007 and 2006. Give or take.
For dependancies you listed you have to use Gronmayer.com. Works for me.