Thanks, Dave. Yeah, I am not excited about Windows 10. I am still running Windows 7 on all my other computers. I've heard Windows 10 can be pretty annoying in some ways.
What is MOBO?
I do have Firewire at the moment and I definitely would retire that going forward. I don't know much about Thunderbolt. Aren't they exclusive to Macs?
What other things do I need to consider in terms of hardware, such as RAM or sound cards or whatever?
WTGR if you do not know the acronym "MOtherBOard" I would say you are a long way from being capable of 'building' or even specifying a computer for audio work.
Yes, W10 is horrible IMHO (tried it, gave PC to a grandson) but there is no escaping the fact that 7 IS doomed. Just like XP, one day you will have to let it go* so since you are looking for a powerful machine that will hopefully last a good five years, Ten is really the only option..Learn to love it!
TB IS was peculiar to macs but is THE up and coming connection protocol (USB 3/3.1/C will exist in parallel as it did with FW and might eventually eclipse TB because the latter is expensive to connect) It is coming, slowly to PC MOBOs but AFAIK you must be very careful what you buy NOW because the support is patchy and not properly sorted. Personally I would wait for a PC MOBO to arrive with TB on board and preferably one that had been tested by the audio community. N.B TB can be adapted (at a cost!) to deliver FW support but whether YOUR particular AI will run on that kludge is in the gift of the gods.
Hardware specs? I am NOT a computer guru! Just standing in here with megre knowledge till someone slaps me! However, I would go for a well known i7 CPU (not a super-duper super hot o/clocked gamer but something fast but stable) Eight G of ram seems the minimum these days (and in truth should probably be viewed as a max? Extra ram slots are however probably no bad thing?) Interface? As I said, THAT should be the first decision. How many tracks do you want to run? How will you work? All in same room or will you have the luxury of a recording room and a separate 'control' room? The genre will have a bearing on hardware. Will keyboards and MIDI figure large?
Only about a month ago I had NO doubts what I would buy if I had the cash and the need. The new RME TB/USB 3.0 interface. Then the Presonus Quantum burst on the scene! You might like the look of the Soundcraft Signature mixers? The AI/mixer lines have blurred considerably in only the last year. So, basically, decide WHAT you want to do, who with and how many at a time and where you musics are going to end up. THEN decide on an AI and THEN! Start learning about computer design!
*You could build a W7 machine and NEVER update it or put it on the internet but even here, hardware goes wrong/need upgrading and there might not be W7 drivers for that shiny new 'gubingsa' in 2020!
Last word ? Save like mad then talk to Scan!
Dave.