I'd go with the MBP. I got my first Mac one year ago and went with the mid-level 15" MBP over the iMac. My WindowsXP machine was on it's way out fast and I had a decent 22" monitor. Not as good as the iMac monitor, and quite a bit smaller the 27" version, but it suffices for me. I got the Apple USB keyboard and Magic Trackpad and mainly use my MBP docked to a desktop setup. If I need to I can quickly unplug a few cables and walk out the door with it in my backpack. Maybe you can get Santa to bring you an Apple Thunderbolt Display to dock yours with