i had been considering buying a Kord D-1600 portable multitracker, 24-bit recording...does anyone have any experience with that model?

i have also just had a friend recently tell me that buying a Mac with GarageBand is a much better way to go...i've also heard good things about ProTools...

so which way is better? my main concern is that with these computer programs processing speed becomes an issue and it isn't really with the portable studio...being able to manipulate sounds is a plus on computers but isn't the sound quality generally better on a dedicated portable studio?

i think i can learn to use whatever i get so useability isn't the issue, sound quality and the ability to make a good, tight mix is the issue...

any advice, thoughts, suggestions welcome!!!

Floppy, welcome to the board.

I think this question hinges on a lot about what you want to do. If you want to record jazz trios or bluegrass then a DAW by Korg or Roland makes a lot of sense. It's when you start getting into music where you want to do lots of edits or music with electronica or music utilizing loops that a computer software solution is a better call.