new imac -- hardware interface

[yellotron]

I have a longstanding prejudice that desktop systems with their capacity for hosting third party cards are inherently more stable for heavy audio work. As I prepare for my next 5-year re-tool, I am wondering if I should re-think this.

Would a new, fully loaded imac be stable enough for a semi-pro home studio, which sees heavy and varied use? Specifically I'm wondering about the long-term usefullness/stability/reliablity/rocksolid-no-latency capacity of a firewire or USB audio interface with such a computer.

I've been running through an RME Multiface with the matching Hammerfall audio card inside of an XP machine w/3gig ram. It is very stable and practically latency free. Should I expect an iMac with a good firewire connection (these days) to be just as solid, or should I go with a desktop PC (or even sacrifice an extra $1200 for a Mac Pro) and use an audio card interface?

Thanks.

[AudioNinja]

The new iMacs are wonderful machines. I would agree years ago that using a desktop was the way to go, but nowadays faster processing in the computer and better usb/firewire interfaces make using a Mac bemoth desktop way too expensive.

To fallygotham, really makes no difference today MAC over PC. I personally use mac because the OS seems to be much smoother in its operation. And i like the way the music software works on Mac's.

[BagHun]

I'd say if your RME stuff is still good and Windows 7 64bit compatible, get (or preferably build) a top notch new PC. A tricked out iMac with a comparable quality firewire setup will set you back WAY more.

With the money you save you could get a Mac Mini and a KVM switch, enjoy the Mac life for everything else, and still have a good bit of change left over.