Hello all,
I hope I am putting the question into the correct location. My mac's logic board just failed and I am now having to figure out the best way to proceed.

I had been using a Macbook Pro 15-inch laptop late-2011 model with an Mbox2 audio interface. It was ok. At times there were audio artifacts that would occur in my recordings. I am not sure if the audio problems are related to the Mbox, but I would not be surprised.

Currently, I am running an electric cello into the Mbox and two outs.

Here is a sample of the work:

So, I bought the Mbox originally to have multiple outs, but currently do not need six outs.

The Mbox "barely" worked with the late-2011 mac. I needed a 400 to 800 Firewire cable which was finicky. Can it really be adapted to Thunderbolt?

Anyway, I will take any suggestions seriously. Do I buy a used late-2011 mac to continue working as I have been? Do I buy a new Apple computer? Some have said that Apple computers are not necessary and I could go with something cheaper that will run Pd just as well. I am though very used to macs.

If I should get a new audio interface, suggestions as to what I should get?

Help,
William

Pd runs on all three OSes, so a mac is only a prerequisite if you want to work with a mac. I switched from mac to linux about a year ago and don't feel the need to go back. On the contrary, I'm fully satisfied with my new OS.
If you don't want to spend too much money on a new laptop, I would suggest to buy a cheaper one that is very likely to have similar specs with a Macbook Pro, only it probably won't be in a metal housing. Focusrite Scarlett sound card series seem to work flawlessly without any effort on Linux. I've used a Scarlett 2i4 with an Odroid-U3 and a Scarlett 6i6 2nd gen with my Debian Jessie XFCE on my Lenovo laptop, both without breaking a sweat (with Jack).

These are my two cents.

I second the notion that the Focusrite Scarlett line is a good way to go. I have the 18i8, since my setup needs a lot of inputs, but even that one was relatively affordable. Their newer Thunderbolt interfaces look even more enticing (although I'm biased, since I'm a drummer & always seeking lower latency).

As for Macs: until recently I was running PD on a 2010 iMac and a 2008 Macbook. The former was solid (until the graphics card gave out), the latter still to this day can run my most demanding patch at 70-80% CPU.

When the iMac died, I decided to upgrade to the new 2016 Macbook Pro (I was right in the middle of several Logic/FCP projects, and didn't want to jump ship to Linux at that precise moment). The new MBP is certainly slick & plenty fast enough for PD, but in terms of bang for your buck, you can get comparable processing speeds for far less money with an older Mac, or (as alexandros points out) a different brand of computer that can run Linux.

So, my advice would be to not do what I did....

If you want to buy a used mac, take the 2012 model without retina. Its the first with USB 3 and it doesn't have the frequent grafic card failures caused by overheating!

So that is why my logic board failed? Overheating!!???!!

Thanks all for the answers and recommendations.

@raynovich I don*t know what was your problem, but it was mine. first google hit: apple repair programme