What Causes Latency?, Trying to make sure I have no Latency Options

[manexmachina]

I'm setting up from scratch and the number one complaint I had about my old system (like 6 years ago) was massinve playing latency. I hit a note on the piano and by the time the virtual instrument (sample cell at the time) played back, it was very delayed. I'm not going to erase 20 some odd years of practice and get used to that.

So! how do I avoid it? Is it the software, the hardware, the VST, the audio input, the midi input? What are good combinations? Can I avoid latency on a Powerbook? I'd love to use a 17" G4, but would be willing to buy a dual proc. if necessary.

Specific equipment recommendations are helpful. Preferably recommendations that mention which software they work with best. (Please don't make this into a which software is best thread though, that's not my concern_/

thanks in advance!

[manexmachina]

thanks for that information about the advantage of OSX.

I would love to love logic. I am fortunate enough to know someone who uses each of the major applications and I wanted to like logic so much, but when it came time for me to try it... I just didn't. i still go there and try to convince myself to love it becaue I believe in apple's future and their apps future... but i don't find it fun and for some reason that means something to me. My plan is to use hardware which might be useable for any of the platforms... is there any such hardware? Strangely enough, I thought I would end up loving DP, but it's just got sooooo many windows, i'm a little mixed on it too.

Anyone experience latency issues with a digi 002?