Hey folks,  I'm a singer songwriter from an era that didn't grow up with computers.  I still own a Fostex 4 track.  Can't believe I just admitted that. 
Anyway... I want to buy the Sonar X3 Studio and use it to record mostly acoustic stuff, but maybe some soft synth later if I get the midi thing figured out.  I still can't imagine needing more than 24 tracks for any of my songs.
My question is about the kind of computer I should buy to run this software.  I don't think the lappy I'm currently typing on will do the trick.  I know that a serious engineer would have some serious requirements regarding computers.  I don't want to buy some cheap piece of crap and have it crashing all the time, but I also don't want to drop 3 grand on a computer either.  Is there anything out there that actually works with a reasonable degree of reliability for around $500 to $1000 ?  If so, can you point me toward something useable I can get at BestBuy or Costco so I don't have to deal with the patronizing geeks at the local wizard hut?
Am I being totally unrealistic?
Thanks in advance for your patience!
 
Jon

Welcome to the forum!
You'll do with a fairly basic, modern laptop. No extra power or special features are needed.
Any, say, i5 CPU laptop is ok. The HDD, if there's not an SSD drive, should be 7200 rpm, though.
 
The more important purchase would be a decent audio interface. Something like Roland Quad Capture or similar is fine, if you don't need to record several tracks simultaneously. An additional external HDD is very practical to have for audio and samples. Otherwise your HDD is full in no time. Don't pick any "green" model, as they have energy saving features that can disturb tracking. Of course, it is very recommendable to have a second external HDD for backups, unless you want to back up on DVDs or flash sticks. Having a proper backup policy is important.
Any modern laptop runs easily at least 50 audio tracks and more, if there's no CPU hog plugin effects in use.
 
I believe all laptops nowadays come with a 64 bit operating system, which can utilize a lot of RAM, so the more RAM comes with the machine, the better. 8 gigas of RAM is a very decent amount already.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!  I'll see what's on sale at Costco & Bestbuy that fits.  Do you think a 17" screen is worth the extra on a laptop?

IMO the bigger the screen with SONAR, the better. There's so much stuff to show. Or maybe the laptop allows a second monitor to be added later?

Yeah... I'm leaning toward a desktop cuz I probably won't use it for web surfing and blogging and the other stuff I do with my current lappy.  This new computer can just live in my workroom/office/studio.  I'm about to pull the trigger on ...uh... welp... looks like a I can't post links (yet?).  Anyhow its a HP Envy 700-251 XT with:

Powerful high-performance PC with Windows 7, latest Intel 4th gen quad-core processor, massive memory and hard drive, high-end graphics, Beats audio, limited two-year warranty, expandability
Operating system - Windows 7 Home Premium 64
Processor - 4^th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770 processor quad-core [3.4GHz, 8MB Shared Cache]
Memory - 8GB DDR3-1600MHz [1 DIMM ]
Hard drive - 1TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Graphics card - Intel HD Graphics [DVI-D]
Optical drive - SuperMulti DVD Burner

Ok... maybe I already pulled the trigger on it, but if you could inspire me to have enough dread, doubt and regret, I might still be able to weasel out of it.  maybe. 
 
Tell me I didn't screw this up, ok?
 edit: oh yeah, I ordered a 23" monitor with it.
Thanks,
 
jon

Looks fine to me.
That internal HDD is on the big side, though, because it's recommended to have your OS and programs on one HDD (C: drive) and audio and samples on another HDD. Thus, the C: drive doesn't need to be very big.
Anyway, do not partition the HDD, it doesn't help.

Thanks Kalle,
If I just run the thing with the internal HDD, how long before I fill it up?  What strategies could I use now to avoid that?  Should I go ahead and get another HDD?  Thanks for fielding all the noob questions!
 
jon

Welcome to the forum.
How long until the hard drive is full depends on how much you use it.
My music machine is an 8 year old computer with a 300 GB HD and it's still got tons of room.
But I'm an amateur/hobbyist. If you're running a studio or do a lot of recording, it could fill up fast. Get the biggest HD you can get if you are a professional.

Hey Greg, 
Thanks for taking the time to offer your advice!  I appreciate it.  I'm not a pro by any stretch.  I suspect it will take me a long time to fill up a 1.0TB HDD.  If I do fill it up quickly it will mean that I'm doing lots of recording.  I guess if I do that much recording, I will be looking for a more advanced computer soon anyway.  I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be OK with this one for a while.  I was glad to get some reassurances form folks who have actually used this stuff though.
 
Next in line, I need to go shopping for an interface.  The Roland Quad capture that Kalle recommended appears to be a nice unit.  I just wonder if I can justify the extra money for a 4/4 interface.  I'm just one guy with a guitar at this point so I'm leaning toward a 2/2 interface just because they're cheaper.  I dunno??  Am I trying to save a buck in the wrong spot?
 
jon

If it won't break the bank, get as many inputs as you can. You never know when some of your musician friends will come over and have a jam session.
I get along fine with my 2-input Focusrite Saffire.