Thanks for the advice so far, guys. The computer isn't changing...i've got a Dell laptop its only 1.5 years old and i am still doing the whole college thing. I'm not gonna be doing anything too professional with this; i just want something i can lay down different guitar, bass & drum parts and just have fun with. The Mac vs. PC debate is out of the question, but I would like to know a little more about a firewire card.