I like that term ''Gear Lust"...Lol
I've been doing that for quite some time now.
In my opinion I would say it's 50-50, six in one hand half dozen in the other.
Computer - wait for it to load (if you have a song inspiration not as fast as hardware.
Hardware although it has a computer at it's base, no various protection or anything running in the back ground
to subtract from CPU power. It also doe's a specific job rather it's a MPC, Workstation Keyboard, Digital recorder,
once you turn it on, it's on, you get busy right away.
I have both, I just hate when I have a computer problem because of updated's, driver error, whatever, and it sometimes take day's to figure and repair. You sometimes find yourself being an IT person more than a producer musician beat maker.
The draw back that hardware use to have was updating it, that's no longer a problem with so many update options available.
Also, if I may suggest. look into the MPC 1000 with JJos (save money) if you would like more room, and it's just as powerful as the 2500 and you could easily just ''Throw It In The Bag'' if you need to travail.
Peace & blessings.
