Macbook Pro 15" or iMac 27"

Hello,
     I am finally taking the leap and will be buying a Mac.  I have no idea what I'm doing nor do I know anything about computers besides running programs I use on a normal basis. I'm a student learning to become an Interior Designer who used Autocad (mostly), Photoshop, and Illistator.  I orignially wanted a 13" but I found the screen to maybe be a little smaller than I would prefer.  I was hoping the Apple Community could HELP ME!
     As I said, I use Autocad a lot, along with Photoshop and Illustrator on ocasian, now these programs will only installed into my computer. I like to save all of my files(work) to External Hard drives.  I have no idea how these computers would handle the programs and wanted some guidance into this invesetment. When I visited the apple store I felt as the staff was trying to upsell me into specs I dont even need. Does anyone out there use these applications and if so what computer and specs you recomend?  OR even if your know something about computer this would greatly help me.
Thank you
My school sent me this as "Suggested" requriments from each program I use which made me so much more confused.
Illustrator Mac OS
Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
Mac OS X v10.6.8 or v10.7. Adobe Creative Suite 5, CS5.5, and CS6  applications support Mac OS X v10.8 and v10.9 when installed on  Intel-based systems.*
2 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
2 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free  space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses  a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)
1024 x 768 display (1280 x 800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
DVD-ROM drive compatible with dual-layer DVDs
This software does not operate without activation. Broadband  Internet connection and registration are required for software  activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.†  Phone activation is not available.
AutoCAD for Mac 2014 System Requirements
Apple® Mac® OS® X v10.9.0 or later (Mavericks), OS X v10.8.0 or later (Mountain Lion) with 64-bit Intel processor
Apple Mac Pro® 4,1 or later(Mac Pro® 5,1 or later recommended); MacBook® Pro 5,1 or later (MacBook Pro 10,1 with Retina Display or later recommended); iMac® 8.1 or later (iMac 11.1 or later recommended); Mac® mini 3.1 or later (Mac mini 4.1 or later recommended); MacBook Air® 2.1 or later; MacBook® 5.1 or later (MacBook 7.1 or later recommended)
3 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
2.5 GB free disk space for download and installation (3 GB recommended)
All graphics cards on supported hardware
1,280 x 800 display with true color (2880 x 1800 with Retina Display recommended)
All Mac OS X supported language operating systems
Apple® Mouse, Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, MacBook® Pro trackpad, or Microsoft-compliant mouse.
Mac OS X-compliant printer
Photoshop Mac OS
Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
Mac OS X v10.7, v10.8, or v10.9
1GB of RAM
3.2GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices) 
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with OpenGL 2.0, 16-bit color, and 512MB of VRAM (1GB recommended)†
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, membership validation, and access to online services.‡

Yes, either the 27" iMac or 15" MacBook Pro will be fast enough to run AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Illustrator well. You do not need to be confused by the requirements because basically all new Macs meet most of the requirements already. The only thing you need to pay attention to is that whichever one you get, looking at the system requirements for the programs, you will want to order either computer with at least 8GB of RAM and a 256GB internal storage. If your budget allows, you can increase those amounts, but you don't have to.
AutoCAD has one additional requirement, a mouse. I think this is because CAD programs make heavy use of the right mouse button and even the middle/scrollwheel buttons. This will be easy to get because you can connect just about any USB mouse to a Mac, even a $5 PC mouse will work.
The Illustrator requirements mention a DVD drive. Remember that the iMac and MacBook Pro do not have an optical drive. But I am confused by the requirement because Adobe software can generally be installed from a download so that an optical disc drive is not needed. You may need to get further clarification from your school about this. If for some reason the school does not provide software by download and only provides the programs on optical disc, you can just buy a USB optical drive and plug it in.

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