the OP asked for recommendations for which computer would work best for him given what he wants to do with it and how much it might cost. he didnt say he had a limited budget (tho it might be a safe guess). i gave my recommendations based on his stated needs.
a MBP if he/she plans on doing a lot of multitrack recording or using a lot of effects in recording.
a MB if they weren't. but still add some RAM.
please don't tell me the differences aren't noticable for recording. they ARE. my ex-gf and myself both noticed some performance differences between our MB and MBP in everyday use. if it's noticable in day to day use, it's certainly going to impact audio recording. what's "not huge" to you may be "huge" to someone else. maybe it's not enough to make a difference to the OP (or maybe it is), but that's his decision to make not mine or yours.
and you're really going to say that an extra GB of RAM isn't that much of a difference?? it certainly is, especially in this type of situation. you can say adding 3GB of RAM takes a MBP into MP territory in cost. but that isn't the issue being addressed. the OP wants a LAPTOP. i'm giving tehm options based on what they want. and the ability to upgrade the extra RAM if he needs/wants/might ever need it is something to be mindful of in the decision making process. it is a difference between the 2 systems that might have a significant impact for the OP based on what he/she says they might use it for.
i'm not going to get into a pi$$ing match over this. you can disagree with me all you want, but it doesn't change anything. it's the OP's decision to factor in their needs, wants and budget and make any necessary concessions. not ours. i gave the OP my opinions based on use of both machines and experience as a recording musician and explained why. end of discussion for me.
Yes, its pointless to continue this discussion.
That 200GB is a 4200 rpm drive. I wouldn't recommend that for recording audio (ok, it's a perpedicular drive but even so). I'd say go for the 160GB option which is 5400rpm (a 7200rpm drive would be best but they don't come in large capacities just yet).
The 200 GB drive is as fast or even faster than 5400 and 7200 RPM drives, when filled with data.
Take a look here(Thought the tests are performed on a MBP, MB should show the same difference in speed, if all drives are tested in equal conditions)