Based on my recent experience of a similar project (migrated from MS Small Biz Server 2k3) I can offer my experiences. We also replaced a few Windoze desktops along the way.
Server Side:
1) SME 7.3 plays nicely as a Domain Controller, but with no Active Directory. Functionality in that role is probably more like NT4 Server, which I personally preferred. We use Roaming Profiles for the Win desktops and so far it's behaved admirably and we've had no problems at all.
2) No experience of Domino or notes.
3) Tha backup built-in to the SME 7.3 and administered with the web interface works beautifully. I added the DAR bit so I could back up to USB attached hard disks and also to a NAS box. I've been able to restore individual filles with it reliably too. Another noteworthy thing is the ability to add a recycle bin to I-Bays (network shares) so when users delete stuff off the network drives, an admin can recover them. That's one of my all time favourite features of SME
4) Not familir with those products, but I use the built-in antivirus on SME (ClamAV) which scans the server every night, and will also scan email.
User Side:
1) We've added two Linux desktops, one Ubuntu (Gnome desktop) and one Kubuntu (KDE desktop). Both have been superbly easy to install and work with, and a ncie feature is the add/remove programs which makes it as easy/easier that Windows. I'm torn between the two, but I have a slight personal preference for Kubuntu. Also looking at OpenSUSE, but my HUGE dislike of Novell as a Company is probably clouding my judgement!
2) SO easy to set up - the I-bays in my opinion are what really sets SME streaks ahead of other Linux sever distro's. I hardly know where to start, but needless to say they work perfectly, easy as anything to set up and all clients I've used play really nice with the shares. Print sharing works great too. You can even install the Windows print drivers on the server, just like on Windows Servers.
3) I don't do anything like that on the server side, so no idea of it's a server-based thing on SME. perhaps someone has the required experience to anser.
4) Yep, OpenOffice is probably the best you can get. I like the product a LOT. You probably already know it's multi-platform. We use it on Win, Mac and Linux desktops.
5) PDF printers are built into most Linux desktops, certainly with Ubuntu. Ditto Mac clients. For Win I use an open source package called PDFCreator which has been superb and reliable. There is a way to add a Win PDF printer drive as a shared network printer on SME, but I found the instructions a bit gnarly and PDFCreator was the route of least pain.
6) Probably!
7) No experience of it, but would be interested in what you might turn up.
Cheers,
Graham
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