If you're going to spend some cash I'd forget about option 2 and go straight for the Mac. OS X rocks. You can also run Windows and you'll have a system that's new. You'll have real 21st century software and hardware with the support that goes along with it and lots and lots of other users utilising the same software and hardware, which means you'll have lots of forums and tutorial websites with active users who have the same set up as you do. And let's not forget how sexy the Macbook Pro is. ;-)
So either option 1 or 3, I guess. But that's just my opinion. Hope you have fun whatever you choose!!
:-)
