Next, is the software. There are many digital multi-track audio software packages currently available and they are continually improving. Of course, you will also need a computer, a very fast computer with tons of RAM do anything more than the most basic recordings. However, you will need to check software requirements before you decide to take the plunge. Having a large monitor to do your editing and mixing is definitely a major luxury compared to the tiny LCDs on most Digital Portable Studios.
DAWs are the ultimate in flexibility, expandability, and upgradability.
But as anyone who has owned a computer knows, computers can be very frustrating. They crash, software applications have bugs, hard drives go bad, etc. Keep this in mind when making your choice. Expandable, upgradable, professional sound quality, totally digital environment, flexible user interface. Can be very expensive to set up, subject to computer glitches, not portable.