I just wanted to know if there is a difference in Logic Pro 7 and the academic version of the same software? I really want to get the software, but $1000 is a little steep for my budget. If there is a difference, is it a big difference? What does it lack? How does Express compare?

As far as I've heard, there is absolutely no difference at all.
You get the exact same box with the exact same contents, just at a lower cost.

there is a difference. the academic version is not fully upgradable. it will upgrade for minor updates i.e. logic pro 7.1 or whatever, but when logic 8 comes out, you get to buy it all over again. though this is still likely the cheaper route. also, apple takes you at your word that you are a student.

I just got Logic Pro 7 Academic Version. There is nothing to differentiate between the full version and the academic version. I really mean nothing, nothing on the box, the manual--nowhere. Of course, I could be stored on a computer somewhere in Cupertino, California under the Academic Licenses file... The risk is yours. Do you expect to upgrade everytime Apple says jump? Having said this if you have to pay full to upgrade to the next version I don`t think it would be worth the savings.
Sayonara

To elaborate on this: It is, that the retail upgrade price is equal to the Academic purchase price, and no upgrade is made available at academic pricing, ie. Logic express is $99 Academic, a retail upgrade also $99, same as a new licence. The box nor the product are stamped or tagged as an academic version.

i had no problem upgrading my academic 6 to logic 7.

just my experience

The box states "Logic Pro 7 Retail" on the label and the xskey has "retail" on it. What does it say on the academic version?

Functionally they are the same. The difference is in the license agreement. Legally, you cannot use the academic version unless you are a student. I figured, since I'm paying for this software, I may as well make it legal and just get the retail version. I want to use it for my 'company' some day and everything is going to be legit.

BTW: 90% of the logic pro versions being sold on eBay for $500 to $600 are actually the academic versions, even though they say "retail version" in the auction. This is a major rip off since the academic versions can be purchased directly from the apple site for $299. There are even some guys explaining they are the same and selling the academic versions for $600.00 and people are buying them too.

i bought myself the academic version and tecnically there is no difference, but when i start the program, and the white screen comes on and has the logic logo and you can read the files booting up, it does say "logic pro 7 - academic version"... no other differences that i can see.

in reply to shockie. my understanding is that the $299 price for logic pro 7 is only available if purchased directly by a school, as where the $499 logic pro 7 is available to individual "students" who have to show no proof at all. please correct me if i'm wrong though.

i paid $699(cdn) from the website and a friend of mine paid less, probably $499 directly from his school... so i'd advise to get it directly from your school if at all possible.

.d.