Motu 828 Mk1 And Latency Options

[zakary]

Hi everyone,
i am looking to get a new powerbook (either 12" or 15" both 1.33Ghz) with 1Gb Ram and 5400 built in HD and also thinking of getting the motu 828 mk1.

My question is what latency - how low (playing back soft synths-effects) should i be expecting to get, only while playing back, if i record something external that will probably be only one instrument at a time. I am looking to have something like 16-24 tracks (mixed audio, soft synths & effects) probably some version of logic.

I currently have the RME multiface which gives me extra low latency playing back vsti's (1.5 ms) on an old intel pentium III but i'm looking to replace this (due to firewire connectivity, mic pre-amps on the 828 which i'll need) with the motu 828mk1.

thanks in advance
zakary

[zakary]

Firewire is quite convenient and i agree the RME Multiface is top quality hardware but i was thinking of getting the 12" powerbook which doesn't have a pcmcia slot, i'd also have to get separate pre's and also a power supply for the card, where as with the 828 mk1 i'd just plug it and use it.

The multiface is top quality and i did a lot of research before i purchased it when i had a mixing desk, external effects & synths but now i'm going totally soft and it looks like it is too much for me. I'll be sequencing/editing within the powerbook (no external hardware appart from my midi keyboard) and occasionaly i'll be recording one instrument. I don't want to give it up and it looks like i'll be forced to go for the 15" powerbook cause of the pcmcia slot

thanks everyone so far for your advice
z