IMac+iPad vs Macbook pro 15"

I went and visited the apple store today to look at the new stuff including the iPad. My initial reason was to narrow down my 3 options of a new laptop(Air, 13" pro, 15" pro) for college to one or two. Now for the backstory. I will be going to college this fall, and I need a new laptop. Mine is a 6 year old, 8.5lb compaq 15" that needs to go, its dying on me slowly but surely. I've wanted a mac for a couple years now so nows my chance. I will have a budget of around $2,250 or so. Upon spending some time gandering and talking to a Apple tech for more than an hour I've narrowed it down to 2 choices. I can get EITHER a iMac(not sure which, I'd love the 27" but may only be able to afford the 21.5") and an iPad, or the bottom end 2.4Ghz 15" Macbook pro. I'm planning on majoring in music(vocal) not sure if i'd be doing a more commercial focus(creating/editing my own music) or not yet. I'll be minoring in physics as well. I do like the iPad and the screen/power combo of the iMac, but also could have both in 1 with the macbook pro. A major point for the iPad would be saving money on books, but I wont be able to find out if the ones I need are available to download until another 2 months from now roughly. I will have the money by end of August. I've read so many blogs/forums about this same question, but most have either a iMac or Macbook already. I'm starting from scratch. Let me know what your thoughts are and give me some tips and advice. Thank you all.

As being in Grad school, my opinion is: I would opt for the MacBook Pro and the iPad. This is why.
For me, having the MBP is great for when I want to write papers, conduct research, and everything else. The iPad is great for putting my PDF ebooks for school on it, conducting research, taking notes, and other media uses. I would only write your *.doc APA papers (like me unless you have to use the other standard) on the MBP only. I like the portability of the MBP over the iMac and being able to bring your whole Mac when you need to, over to your girlfriends dorm room may be priceless. Overall having a portable Mac is a big + for my needs. For me writing papers in my living room at home while the 46" TV is on instead of on a desk works best for me.
Taking notes on the iPad would work and you can sync them to the MBP for copy/pasting in your final paper. From my tests Pages is pretty good to convert a paper to *.doc but not at the point where I would trust it for a grade where proper APA format is needed.
Remember, this is how I am using my MBP 13" and iPad. Just wanted to offer this info up in case it would help you.
Sincerely,
G.

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