I know I'll have to make up my own mind based on my needs/research. But I'm thinking that any nugget of information you can impart will help me make a decision.
Background - I currently run a small garage studio where I do demos, CD's etc for local bands. Last year I had around 6 paying customers (that's all I can psychologically handle). The studio is primarilly for my band the drool brothers.
Change - As of late, I've been getting better clients and more requests from bands that want to record live. My style of production used to be, bass and drums first (GROOVE - remember that) and layer everything above that. Therefore, I would record 8 or 10 tracks up front and be fine. Now I need more tracks coming in.
Problem - I run a P4/2k gig ram/with adobe audition 1.5/RME Multigace/Tango 24 for 8 additional ins light pipe. My computer is just too old trying to handle 16 incoming tracks doing multiple takes of each song. Not enough juevos and it's starting to slow, crash and act funny --- though I am getting by.
Needs: I want the easiest file mangement sytem - I hate audition for this because it asks you a million questions when closing sessions. The easist punch in/comp ability. I want a stable system and no longer want to build a PC myself. The problem with getting a MAC is that the tower will cost $2500, logic $500 and the PCIe Card for my RME $500

By going PC again am I shooting myself in the foot? Will I be able to do 16 18 tracks coming in without worry. Is MAC the ultimate solution? I worked a live recording with a Mac Pro PT HD without a hick up doing 18 tracks at once - 5 to 10 takes each - can't afford PT HD though! Once again, file management is essential. Wisdom needed!!