#1 No, but Apple will not support the RAM you install unless you purchase it from Apple. If you ever call them for hardware support, they will ask you to remove the non-OEM RAM and replace it with the original - so keep it.
#2 That's plenty of processor/RAM horse power. I use a 2ghz/2gig RAM Macbook for the same applications and they run perfectly.
#3 I don't think so, but that's a matter of personal preference.