Good laptop & software for music recording/mixing?

[squirefan01]

I am interested in getting a laptop that I can use for mostly musical interests. I'd like to run some decent music software that has alot of instrument plugins, to create music that I can add bass recordings to. Other than hearing about Garageband for Macs and Cakewalk for PCs, I don't really know much about the software capabilities.

I'd like something that I can run audio outputs to my stereo system, and that can also take a direct input from my bass or amp (I think there is a USB product out there now for this).

I have no idea how much power a decent laptop for this use would cost. Other then this, I would just use it for internet browsing (wireless in the house), MS Office types of docs, and also MP3/iPod management (on external hard drive) and ability to quickly burn CDs & maybe DVDs.

Any suggestions appreciated!

[charlyg]

I have been a pc desktop tech for 10 years, and when my pc ******* out before Christmas, I got an iMac. If you got the coin get a Macbook (~$2000), if not, a Dell or HP laptop($700 and up) will do the trick. I recommend an external drive for music files. With the Macbook, if you get the Intel duo core2, you can have both OS's as I do on the iMac, although I haven't booted XP in about 4 months!!