Logic Express Capabilities, potential user questions... Options

[ajchen]

hey all

been reading threads on here for a bit.... i finally decided to register and ask some questions before i take the plunge haha.

i am currently running a powerbook 12" 1.5, and will be upgrading to 1.25gigs of RAM next week (i need it for photoshop anyways). i have a 250 gig external drive.

so i am a bass player and i have been looking for software to be able to lay down some drum tracks to play and record against. i also plan to learn how to chop samples and play live keys afterwards as well to make some beats.

upon visiting one store and talking to a guy there about my needs, he suggested logic express, a midi controller, and a basic m-audio interface to get me started. then i go to sam ash and talk to someone else to get a second opinion, and he tells me that logic wont work for my needs because it has no virtual instruments. he says to either go with reason/midi controller/interface, or logic/interface/rack (or logic/interface/separate app with drum sounds). he suggested the rack of course to take some of the workload off my computer. of course this didnt make sense as the guy at the original store never pointed out the fact that i wouldnt really be able to make music with logic by itself.

so.... with regards to my personal needs, does logic express meet them? will it run adequately with my hardware setup? i was reading the osx apps forum and someone mentioned that you cant track live instruments into reason, which would instantaneously eliminate that from the running if it is the case.

sorry if this is a bit convoluted. let me know if anything is unclear. i appreciate your help!