Suggestions Please, What hardware/software Options

[BobAdamson]

Hello musicmakers,

I have a few questions before I get into the meat of the subject. I am a long time Mac user (][e). My wife has a 17" Powerbook. My kids all have iMacs or Ibooks. The house is wireless. I purchased iLife to play around with GarageBand. Just as I was starting to get into it, my wife complains that she can no longer get on her Mac. See, I have my office at home and unfortunately, MY computer is a Dell. So, to keep the peace (and avoid buying another Mac for now), can anyone suggest something that might work well (I know that is redundant) on Windows?

I am a long time amatuer guitarist/keyboardist/singer/songwriter. My wife is a teacher. What I want is some kind of setup that allows me to record a few back up tracks to accompany live playing. It doesn't have to be elaborate, but I might want to do more than that, who knows? So, any suggestions?

[BobAdamson]

No, I wasn't suggesting GarageBand on Windows. I would have bought a new G5, if VirtualPC worked on it, but I was told no way.

Come on alot of people make music on Windows, er don't they?

It's not a matter of multiple users, that is set up on her PB. It is access, when she wants it so do I. She also believes (but cannot substantiate) that my music affects her Mac. Slows it down, makes it crash and yes, she has 10.3.4.

I do have an Ozone keyboard/Midi controller that is bimusical (that means it works on Mac and Windows). I bought that because of the mic preamps and midi in and out.

Are there truly no options but to buy another Mac (not such a bad thing, just lets me have less money for other components)?

Thanks for any help.