Metric Halo, Rme, Apogee Duet, and the mac book pro fire wire issue.

[Ky R Chain]

I was considering the Mac book pro but I am troubled by the firewire problems. I am drawn very strongly torwards the ability to use bus power on the fire wire port. I was leaning torwards the Metric Halo uln-2 with the Apogee Duet a close second and the RME fireface 400 in third.
The Metric Halo appealed to me because I have windows programs. Metric Halo claim to have achieved cross platform driver success through the program known as parallels. This program appears to create a link between windows and core audio by creating a set of audio drivers in windows that can be attached to. Metric Halo also indicate a driver for the firewire problem
Apogee duet appears to be functioning well with the bad chipset but I am interested in any issues regarding this firewire problem. Also has anyone used the parallels program with the duet?
Rme has developed a few work arounds. the most promising too me appears to be plugging into the fw 800 port with an adapter cable. I think if I go RME I will use the multiface express card bundle even though it means giving up bus power.

Now to address the mac vs pc debate: Why am I purchasing a mac when I have windows programs?

It is because I am difficult.

Just ask my friends and family.

They still wish to be around me because I am not insulting, except when I am trying to get them to chase me... but that is another story.

Any input with an emphasis on portability and audio quality would be helpfull.

My studio in a years time most likely will look like this: gml 2020 or legacy channel, lilfreq, purple mc77, soundcard and laptop.

This is approximate as I am always finding info that changes the line up.

Thankyou,
Ky

[initself]

What did you end up going with? Ever do any experimentation with Parallels?

I'm installing Boot Camp right now.

mb