Tips for buying midi keyboard?

[Dae]

I'm a total noob when it comes to music composition and playing, but I always felt a strong desire to try it some day. Now I'm searching for a more "productive" way of relaxing than blowing peoples heads off in CS:S, so this might be it.

Apple's GarageBand seems like a good start, but in order to take lessons they recommend to get a music keyboard.

So could anyone give me any tips on buying midi keyboards, or possibly even recommend a midi keyboard or at least a worthy brand?

The only requirement I can formulate for it right now, is being Mac compatible — but I guess this is true for every music hardware on the market. Oh and — I don't want to make music, I only want to learn to play some favorite pieces.

Budget: $450.

Thanks!

[James]

I'd had honestly put this in entertainment but I really don't know anything at all about keyboards let alone a electronic one.

[Aidan]

Alright, so I would actually reccomend starting off with Logic Pro 9 or FL9. Why I say this, is because it allows you to do so much more with your piano in terms of effectors, sounds, Hz ranges, etc. Keeping in mind it will take a month or so before you become familliar with the software, it's much more rewarding in the end.

I would reccomend a Korg Piano, but to specify what kind, I'll need to know what type of music you intend on playing.