Logic 8 hardware choice: iMac or MacBook Pro

I want to run Logic 8, but I can't afford a MacPro at the moment. My selections then become the iMac at either 2.4 or 2.8 at 4GB RAM or the MacBook or the MacBookPro.
I am a beginner with high ambitions so the ultimate in power is not needed. But I also don't want to unpower the hardware so that nothing but frustration results.
What do you recommend? Should I consider a notebook when compared to the iMAc if portability isn't an issue? If so, which one? And if you recommend an iMac instead, should I really pay for the 2.8. Finally, is a 20" screen OK, or will I wish I got the 24"? Lots of questions, but I am finding mixed responses to these when I ask around. Sorry if it's been asked a hundred times before.
Thanks in advance to all. Bob

While everyone has their opinion, this thread seems to be full of misinformation. For example:
"...If you can go for the 2.8 GHz iMac, you can get the 2X2.0 GHz Mac Pro, which is better..."
Why is a 2.0 dual processor Mac Pro better than a dual processor 2.4 imac? From a performance viewpoint, the core 2 duo imac should be better.
"...ok...imac doesn't have the expresscard expansion so only one firewire buss....will this be a problem for you???...who can tell...for me at the moment it's ok......i did, however, buy a fw800 drive for the extra speed only to discover that with my interface plugged into the fw400 port, the drive defaults to fw400
the imac is built componants of less quality than the mbp or mpro...again, don't know if this is a problem for ya.....i doubt that it's, in any way, shoddy
The imac and Macbook Pro are built from mostly the same components. If anything, the imac has a bit more room inside so things are not quite so crowded. Better for air circulation. It is a myth to think that the expansion card actually gives another Firewire bus. There is only one firewire bus on an imac or Macbook Pro. You can check it in system Profiler. So plugging more drives into the express card doesn't gain you anything except more ports. The only way to get firewire 800 drives to operate at full speed with FW 400 devices is to daisy-chain the FW 400 devices from the FW 800 drive and have NO FW 400 devices plugged in to the computer at all. I have tried this in numerous combinations and verified that this is true.
My advice (as a recent purchaser of an imac 24" 2.2 GHz and 3 Gig RAM) is to go for the imac. As a Logic beginner, it will be a while before you maximize its capabilities, and the price is right. Get a white refurb 24" and load it up with RAM and make some music. If you get good enough and start making some money with it, then consider moving up to the Mac Pro if you need it. It's over kill for you and your wallet for now.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it...
Bob

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disagree - I own a macbook pro and a iMac. And the macbook pro's runs logic like ****. My iMac is over 2.5 years old and is much faster and more stable than the MBP. I never had system overload errors on my iMac. I get them every 5 min on my macbook, even on projects with 2 tracks sometimes. My mbp is the version before the unibody.
(Turn off the I/O Safety Buffer on the MBP)
Also the biuld in audio card of my mbp is noisy and create radom noise signal when nothing is played back. (maybe they changed it with unibody).
But the problems with the mbp are also happening when i use my duet.
The mbp are good notebooks and can run logic 8, but are far not as optimal as an iMac.
I couldn't disagree more. It's interesting to me how many people assume that if their setup behaves a certain way, then EVERY computer will behave that way. This is the wrong way to think about it and often not other peoples experience.
I have a MBP 2.33, 2 generations before unibody, and it smokes Logic. I have a test project with 16 automated space designers and 4 Sculptures, and they all can run simultaneously on a 64 buffer with absolutely no pops or drops. I know MANY people who run Logic 8 on laptops with awesome performance. If your MBP has a faster processor and as much or more Ram as your iMac, then there is something wrong with your MBP. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the iMacs and laptops share many of the same components.
I have a 24 inch cinema display, and when I'm home I plug my MBP into it, and have an awesome desktop with a big screen. Then I simply unplug and go. It's awesome.
To the OP: if you need portability, get a MBP! If you set it up correctly, you'll have awesome performance from Logic.
And yes, I have owned Powerbooks, iMacs, and Macbook Pros, and run Logic on all of them.

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http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/01/apple-to-stop-shipping-mac-pro-in-europe-on -march-1/
http://www.cbscores.com/index.php?sort=ogl&order=desc
Also then comes the operating system and programs tailored for it, which you really would have to run Windows 7 on the Mac in Bootcamp, but may have issues etc for hardware compatability also problems with tweaking things and custom drivers etc., as Mac's are not generic PC's although they can run Windows 7 in BootCamp
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HP has a line of Elitebook 8770w Mobile Workstations with some truely awesome video cards for fast rendering speeds costing upwards anywhere up to about $6500 if you so need it, plus the displays are larger and detailed.
Sager has some awesome machines anywhere from $2000-$5000
Dell has their Alienware series, but that doesn't sound so professional
Asus has their The Republic of Gamers line of powerful prebuilt desktops and laptops, but they all don't look like 3D gamers machines.
Not exactly as nice as a Mac for the thinness of hardware, but they are performance powerhouses for specialized needs, and they should come (request it) with Windows 7 Professional (so you can run XP programs too).
Windows 7 is not a bad operating system, everyone seems to love it, even Mac users like it.
It does need the services of a professional Windows geek to make sure it's crapware free and anti-virus installed, System Restore Disks and images made before being used online. I also suggest Deep Freeze if you really want a almost trouble free PC, a simple reboot resets the machine back minus any changes.
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