Justin, Actually I was refering to PT LE having to have the hardware to use the software...that is rediculous. I know that PT by it's very design must have the PCI hardware. BUT WHY must it ALSO have the audio I/O hardware? They could definitely work around that, BUT they choose not to, because then someone could use the hardware with the core cards without the Audio interface...they want control. For example, I'd like to get an old TDM system for Beat Detective purposes, etc. All I would do is fly the drum tracks into PT and do the BD work. So why could I not just have the PCI cards and the software to do that? I never want to go IN and OUT. It is a part of the design that you must have their I/O box(es). Or what if I use PT and then want to do some editing while on the plane or traveling on a laptop. Then you are out of luck, you must turn to a non-Digidesign DAW! Also, How many reports have you heard about the questionable sonics that PT can sometimes produce...Most pro engineers will not mix in PT or at least find ways to avoid bouncing and/or using the summing bus. In Oklahoma City, where I live, an acquaintance of mine put in a full-blown studio at his home..."Upstairs Productions"...it was on the cover of MIX mag. a few months ago. He has the latest RADAR system, a Neve 9098 console...highend everything and lots of it...great monitors and a all his rooms are "designed". I know his control room gives an accurate picture of what things sound like. He has gone 'round and 'round with Digidesign about the negative sound issues of PT...he has the latest PT HD system. When he records to Radar and then transfers the tracks via ethernet (I believe) into PT he notices a collapse in both depth and soundstage and a robbing of the bottom end, etc. Others have noticed this too and Digidesign refuses to answer for this problem. Hmmm... So, he avoids the transfer altogether if at all possible. I do agree that PT has some huge advantages like no latency, very fast responsiveness, things like Beat Detctive, sound-replacer, etc, that a record-enabled track will actually record audio before a punch-in just in case you were late on that punch...very cool and great features that the others don't have, BUT that doesn't make the others non-pro. There are many things that DP can do that PT can't, as well.