Hi Steve there are a number of alternatives to Cubase some are even free but a huge amount of top pros use it. Whichever software you choose is down to budget and personal choice. There are also a huge range of PCs but even the most simple of entry level PC has a hard drive and a Cd or DVD burner. This makes a computer a very flexible and multi task machine. Some folk just have no idea as to what can and cannot be achieved. With my PC I can surf the net, play and store music and any other type of file, print just about anything, copy and save written work and record any sound from just about any source. I can then edit it in a million different ways. I can edit and burn DVDs plus any CD audio or data. I can play games and send and receive emails plus a million or two other things. It does not take the dog out for a walk but no doubt someone will come up with a program that does that. I have a basic bog standard PC that currently is a pain in the proverbial due to malfunction problems as like me it is getting on a bit. I am needing a new one. You are totally wrong in your statement that PCs cannot do certain things. They can and have done for many years. I used to be an analog freak but now digital is everything whether we like it or not.....

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055