Low Budget Music Studio!!!, G4, G5, IBOOk, IMAC, EMAC??? Options

[riverron]

I've been recording on a digital 16 track station (Roland) for a while now and I'd like to make the leap to computer based recording, or maybe use the Mac for editing, mixing and mastering the cd. Since I'm starting out, I'd like to make this as painless as possible on my wallet. I wanted to get the latest EMAC with superdrive, or IMAC with superdrive. Honestly I'm leaning towards the EMAC with logic/pro tools.

Every person I talk to tells me to hold out longer and save my money for a G4 or G5, but none of these IDIOTS even work with music recording or editing.

I am buying a Mac this week, but I can't figure out which one to get for my needs. Every time I have tried to talk to someone about Macs and music...they always act like snobs and never really answer my questions. Then a friend of mine that owns a mac (but does not use it for music) told me about this site and asked me to post before giving up on people with Macs. So here it goes!

Has anyone ever used an EMAC with pro tools?
Does anyone out there currently use the latest EMAC with pro tools or logic and if so...how well does it work?

by the way the latest EMAC comes with a 1.25 GHz powerPC G4, 256 Ram(I'll upgrade to 1 GB of Ram), 80 GB Hard Drive and SuperDrive for around 1,200.00 dollars. And if I get the 160 GB Hard Drive 1,300 bucks. Not bad right? I've heard of people using pro tools in the past with Macs that were half as strong.

PLEASE HELP ME??? Sorry to sound so frustrated in this post but these last few weeks of asking around has been torture. I've done a search for EMAC info here in the forum and everyone seems nice and helpfull at this site. But no direct answer to my question. Any advice, suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Ron

[Barb]

The eMac is a great product. It is cheaper than the other Macs because of the packaging. It's a all- in-one- unit concept like the old Macs. The screen is a CRT as opposed to a flat pannel. They do this because the eMac is aimed at Educators, get it E- Education. A CRT holds up better under poking little fingers! The processor speed and RAM is what to look for. 1.25 Ghz and 1 gig RAM will do just fine. See how many slots they put that 1 gig into. Get as much RAM on 1 dimm as possible and leave the second slot for upgrade. You want this machine to last you a few years so think ahead to more RAM. The future always holds needs for more RAM. The only thing you might get frustrated with down the road is the screen size so ask Apple if the eMac allows for adding a second screen if you want to in the future. make sure you go to a store and look at the machine so you will be comfortable with it.

If you are used to a 16 track, you might want the 002 instead of the MBox unless you just record single tracks and over dub.