Considering switching to a new Mac...

I'm currently a PC user. I've had an Apple once in the household that belonged to me, a refurbished iMac G3 with Tiger, 40GB HD, 256 MB RAM, 400 MHZ, and a DVD drive. I had it for a little over a year then I switched back to a PC last December ($100 BIN from an eBay seller!). It's a Dell OptiPlex from 2002 I believe that has a 2.0GHZ Pentium 4 processor, XP Pro, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB HD, a floppy drive, and a combo drive. I like it a lot, and it's my workhorse computer. I'm a blues musician and my initial intention was to use copies of Sony Acid and Sony SoundForge I owned to record and I did that for a little while, but I didn't like it as much as my old G3 with GarageBand 2 (from iLife '05). The speed of both of these machines are/were fine, but I'd really like something faster. I'm on my computers nonstop for schoolwork and personal use. I have my tools I used on my iMac for video (when I used iMovie HD from iLife '05) that I can't use them because of my Dell's RAM, no 2.0 USB (1.1), the lack of software I currently don't have, and it has no FireWire port. I've been highly considering the switch to a MacBook Pro because I'm in high school and want something that's portable, reliable, and does what I want it to. None of the MacBooks suit my needs, but the new $2k MBP ($1900 with student discount) does. I went to the Apple store last Friday and it blew me away. I'm a little while away from this computer and don't know if I should go spend the money or not by the time I make a choice and have the money to spend. I'd need to also go buy iWork, VMWare Fusion, and a copy of Windows XP for what I plan to do. However, I could just upgrade my Dell with a new 250GB HD, 1 GB RAM (maxed out), a new display, a FW/USB card, a DVD+RW drive, and some software and do that for less than $400. I'd like the Apple for the feel, use of programs, reliability, and portability, but do I want to spend that much money when I could use money I have to upgrade my PC? My old iMac was having consistant internet/WiFi and DVD drive issues within 6-9 months of the purchase/refurbish, and the only problem I've had with my Dell is a currupt downloaded version of Internet Explorer 7 that decreased the speed of my computer. That was a $50 2-day fix that was simple and a problem with a Mac (no way can I afford Apple Care on top of everything else) would result in bringing it into the Apple store, sending it to Apple, have them cause cosmetic damage, and expecting to pay a few hundred dollars and a long wait. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

So my question is: is there any PC software that's like GarageBand where you can do the virtual band kind of thing, change keys and tempo, play your instrument through speakers or headphones, and multi-track record all in one piece of software. I have Sony Acid (PC), but I can't simulaniously multitrack, change keys after recording, change tempo after recording, play along through speakers or headphones, or do the GarageBand virtual band kind of thing. I don't want to have to buy and use at the same time ProTools, Amazing Slow-Downer, and Band-In-a-Box...$500 too! If there is something, let me know ASAP!!!

Absolutely do NOT listen to Joel406....Sounds like he is a Windoze fanboy.

What would be your suggestion then skierbri10? Obviously a Mac in your opinion, but any suggestions as far as which one?

joel406 said:

Your definitly better off upgrageing your current Dell.

Todays Macs are way to buggy. Vista out performs it in so many ways I dont have time to list it all.

But for what you want to do a PC is really the best way to go.

Its cheaper, more reliable and your software choices are so much better.

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I have never heard such a completely incorrect statement in my life!

No, it's just somebody's opinion. If it was so incorrect, I wouldn't have put in this entry to the forum. I personally don't have a huge preference of Leopard over XP or Vista, I just like some of the software that's compatible with new Macs better is all. So I don't know if I should upgrade my PC A LOT with the money I have or if I should get a MBP, get screwed in debt, and have to get a job during my freshman year (high school being hard enough without one). Is it really worth it for just the feeling of a Mac?

If you aren't sold on the specifics of the new macs. I would recommend checking out refurbished last gen mac pro's. Much less expensive and still a lot of computer.