UMAROMC  I don't think any of Apple's major apps have been updated for running natively on Intel Macs (and they complained about Adobe not switching to OS X fast enough)... but they should be able to run via Rosetta... albeit noticeably slower due to the runtime emulation.  
(Version 3.5)

D9  Wrong! Most all of the major "Pro" apps are now Universal. Final Cut Express was actually one of the last to migrate (Shake is still not there, I believe). Go check out Apple's web site for download links to see.

As for the original post, I would say no. FCE uses the same graphics coding that Final Cut does, so it's going to have the same requirements. The differences of the two really lie in features set.  
(Version 3.5)

JOHN F.  Why do I keep hearing that FCP won't work on the MacBook? It will run just fine. It's Apple Motion that won't install or will run too slow without dedicated graphics chip. But FCP, Soundtrack, LiveType, DVD Studio Pro should install just fine. I run FCP 4.5 on an 1 GHz iBook. It only displays low res smoothly, but it runs. A better chip will mean that FCP will open up more features, like real-time effects stuff. FCP and FCE should install fine on all current Macs. FCP requires at least a 867 MHz G4, or 1 GHz for HDV. FCE has lower requirements: about 550 MHz G4, or again 1 GHz G4 for HDV. Almost every Apple Mac of the last couple of years supports Quartz Extreme. And if it comes to Core Image, Intel GMA950 does support it too, although probably not blistering fast.  
(Version 3.5)

LUTHER  FINAL CUT EXPRESS WILL RUN JUST FINE ON A MACBOOK. In yesterday's news on xlr8yourmac.com, a user commented that Final Cut Pro 5.1 runs JUST FINE on a Mac Mini 1.5GHz core solo with the same GMA950 graphics card as the MacBook. Quote: "Final Cut starts and runs fine... To say it installed and worked is an understatement, I was blown away it worked!!" No doubt Final Cut Express will have no trouble on the much faster core duo 1.83/2.0GHz MacBooks.  
(Version 3.5)

ANONYMOUS  What does this have to do with FCE?? And WHO in their right mind would EVER downgrade their iTMS purchases to MP3?? You're an idiot if you're trying to save disk space by doing that....hard drives are cheap.

And BTW....if you can't figure out yet how to convert within iTunes....well...buy a WIndows box...you don't deserve a Mac...  
(Version 3.0.1)

DAVID CROW  An aac file is much smaller than an mp3.

Even at equivalent bit-rates aac sounds more like an AIFF than an MP3 would ever dream of.  
(Version 3.0.1)

DIGITAL ENTROPY  http://www.apple.com/support/finalcutexpress/

seems like a plan.

Else check out the library or bookstore for a book.  
(Version 3.0.1)

DIGITAL ENTROPY  Pretty sure FCE 1 has been around for more than a year.

The upgrade to GCE 3 is good.

Its a nice piece of work & does most things a home user could want.

I would say that for the "beginner" comment wanting to know how to use it effectively - the best way is simply to get a book like Weynand's - & there is one other than looks good. Its a little more cryptic than using iMovie.

Else check your library or a user group to see if there's an adequate one.

How much info do you think someone can write in these little comment fields?  
(Version 3.0.1)