>>I may well buy a new laptop soon and am considering a MAC...for the first time.

Nice :-) I'd love a MAC laptop, I just use a MAC mini


>> Regardless of whether you like Windows or MAC for OTHER applications...what would be your first choice in >> terms of functionality for running BIAB...the Windows or Mac version?

If it's regardless, then it would have to be windows for the functions, because you pay the same on the MAC but get a lot less features and no RealBand ( though you can use RealTracks in both versions of course ).

>>I can't imagine that BIAB would work any better or worse on either platform but there are LOTS of things I >>can't imagine...so I wanted to ask people unlike me, who actually know what they're talking about. (-:

I'd probably argue that it would generally perform better or at least more consistanly on a MAC due to the engineering side of things. Though if you get a beefy windows laptop, then you're probably alright.

I've used both and the MAC interface feels a lot cleaner to me, and that's important, as I don't want to hunt too much for features because I'm interested in writing music not becoming a BIAB wizard. The PC version has more features and RealBand for the same price of course, though I suppose you could also argue that it's just more to learn and takes up precious time away from the main purpose, writing a song!

Windows = More Features for the same price, but make sure your machine spec is good
MAC = A cleaner interface (IMO), and the spec will be right anyway

p.s. Keep in mind, if you buy the standard version and then add RealTracks or Styles then PGMu$ic ensure you can't use them between the two operting systems. You'd have to buy them all over again!

Hope my opinion helps
Greg