MBP C2D = No noise. I'm beginning to wonder if it even HAS a fan. No overheating issues either. Sure, it gets warm after hours of use, esp with just battery. But nothing abnormal. Not too hot to touch or anything.
I have never used Digital Performer, so I can't help you there.
Logic is, in my opinion, very easy to navigate. Incredibly powerful app, as well. Wouldn't hurt to get one of the books out there, like the Apple Pro Training Series or one of the Power! series books for it. Always helps speed up the learning curve. Various intros and virtual tour type things online, too, with a little searching.
I have a feeling that the guy at the Mac store is straight-up lying to you.
It's the same program. I use Logic Express, and I got it at the education price as well. In fact, take a look at the spec comparison between the two (Pro and Express). It may be that Express is good for you. I'm a guitarist/vocalist, not mainly a synth guy. I use Logic mainly as my DAW, and it is still packed full of great software instruments, effects, etc. The Garage Band jam packs work flawlessly in Logic, and they have filled most of my needs for other sounds. And when I want something more, I head to Reason (through Logic in ReWire mode), where I can not only get loads of more software instruments, but I can also get fantastically realistic hypersampled drums in the Reason Drum Kits 2.0 refill. Since I never need to record using more than eight inputs at one take (my drum kit fully mic-ed up with eight at most), for me Logic Pro is currently an unnecessary expenditure. Made more sense for me to save the money and use it for things that Logic isn't quite as perfect at (such as guitar modeling [Amplitube 2], aforementioned Reason 3, etc.).
So think about it -- Pro might be right for you, but maybe not. Express is about 95% of the way there, esp if you're not really a synth guy. Either way, you're going to love working with Logic.
