Name me a good hardware synth for around $1200 bucks

yaal missing the point.

What are you staring at right now? since you already have a computer, why not put it to good use and make some music with it.
Upgrading a pc is an option, you can happily run a pc with some software for 10 years if you choose to ignore the software upgrades.
I know plenty of people who still use an amiga in their studio.

yes mpc3000 you are right. i think my 486 cost about $2400 and my current laptop cost $1049 (hp 2.6, 1 gig ram). mpc3000 if money is no issue why not buy a fully blown pro tool system for about $10,000 and add another $5000 on hardware effects. my ideas are geared to the basement/bedroom studio. if i had the money i would get a serious pro tools set up. most people on this forum are basically beginners to mid level with a few advanced people. i feel if you think that bx5 montiors by m-audio are nice monitor (they are half decent) then in my opinion you are basically a beginner. sorry, not trying to hurt anyone feelings. if you could afford it a hardware setup is better than software, but you just get more bang for the buck with software. period. for $2500 what hardware could you buy or how many pieces? in software a computer $1000, soundcard $300, sequencer $300, komplete 2 for $500 and reason for $300 and a controller for $100 and you could make some serious music with this. yes, in about 3 to 4 years you most likely will have to spend another $2500 to stay up to date but my the same time you would most likely spend more money on the hardware side too.

the bottom line is that we are on the same page. we both love to make music but we spend our money differently. not saying i am right or wrong but i think you get more bang for your buck with software. now if my roland u220, korg m3r etc makes a come back i guess i will have the best of both worlds.