I know you are going to film school - but would a MacBook Pro not be powerful enough for what you'd be doing to start with? Just an idea - FireWire 800 drive for the scratch disk and use your 30" ACD.
I'd find a laptop much easier to take care of when in a dorm, and you can lock it away somewhere quite easily too.
I'd find a laptop much easier to take care of when in a dorm, and you can lock it away somewhere quite easily too.