Hello,
For graphics acceleration you can install "Bumblebee", the procedure is simple if you are interested and Compiz works much better.
Not all correct, bumblebee is needed if you have 2 graphic card (optimus) and you need to "switch" on the fly or run one software with that driver, anyways to use bumblebee you need to have setup proprerly the right driver and this isn't our case... if they experienced problems with proprietary driver you might suggest them at least to use nouveau driver that works fine even with compiz...
bye
Forgive me, I assumed that he had the optimus alongside the GT540M. Usually in the notebook is supported.
For the rest I agree with you.