Computer arguements are even stranger than Godly arguements. Who cares what platform is best, who has the best toys. I want to know the person who can use 50% of their hard/software capacity. Reality check: If I can't shoot I suck, and if I can't light, and you can't act we suck even with all the best toys. I teach college, Advanced Editing and Compositing. It's the final class in the ciricululumnunm. I still can't spell and many "graduates" don't use 10% of the machine, happens to be Mac. But they need plugins. It's dumb-down to that? My only questions is: What have you done with this half machine: half monster? If the answer is, 'not much but I need this plug-in to really shine'. Not smart to admit a plug-in can replace them. I'd have to say, a 5 year old system is still brand new if you're just starting. Get busy learning, because in the end it only matters what YOU can do with your knowledge, not your platform. Commador was at one time a cool device. Sorry for those who can remember that!
peace,