To get started, get Reaper and a decent interface and you are ready to go. You can get by with your computer speakers if you want, until you feel you need to expand your monitoring set up. Your computer speakers should work just fine.

I would recommend this interface by M Audio. It is very easy to use, and very inexpensive. You can probably find it cheaper used.

M Audio Interface

Remember, novice or not it is up to you to make the tools work, not have them work for you. There are million dollar studios making bad music, and bands with laptops making hits. It is up to you and how you use what you have that will determine the outcome.