The "bare bones" game is $45, and the collector's edition is $55. Which should I get? In my opinion, the cloth map is a gimmick, (no offense to collectors) the trading cards are a ploy, (again, sorry) and the other "benefits" are listed as "custom" CD's - another sham?, and a CD with SPECIAL weapons, or something!?! Now we're talking. Is this worth ten bucks, or should I just shut up. Another serious question - I never played Baldour's Gate. I jumped in with Icewind Dale and am so impressed that BG2 is a definite. Am I starting out handicapped because I never played BG1?

Well, you know whats in it, so decide for yourself if it's important for you to have that stuff. If maps, trading cards and soundtracks don't appeal to you, then get the regular edition.

I imagine that you will be able to start with a high level character if you don't have one from the first game. You should be able to decide thier attributes like you would have if you'd played them up to thier starting level. But I will let you know when I get my copy...

I have the collectord edition and I do like the 2 extra vendors that sell the unique weapons/armor. However, the down side is that you wont be able to buy them that easy since they are expensive but I was able to purchase sone of them at chapter 3.
Also you start the game with 69k of exp so your lvl 7 or 8 so importing character from BG1 is not needed. Besides I like the new classes "kits" in BG2 (subclasses) so thats another reason why you want to start fresh and beside if you import a character fron BG1 hes naked anyway so no adventage at all.