Did you look at the apple education discounts ?

1GB ram and a combo drive (CDRW) 771 usd !

M Audio firewire audiophile interface 169 from 8thstreet.

Apple iLife 05 is bundled which provides Garage band (basic recording package).

Logic Express 299 with out an educational discount.

I got 500 bucks off my full copy of logic with an education discount. Lovely !!