[NewMusic] laptop suggestions

[Matt Davignon]

In a few months I'm going to be in the market for a laptop computer, and am
entertaining suggestions.

I'm not looking to go the whole live performance/max-msp route, rather, I'm
planning on using it primarily for recording and composing. I'm leaning
towards a PC, so I can use the audio software I already have, and easily
transfer projects to my desktop.

Any suggestions on where to get it, what kind of sound card, and also those
mixer thingies that you use to plug microphones in would be helpful.
Actually, if someone was willing to show me the ropes a bit, I'd be happy to
treat that person to dinner(s).

I'm particularly interested in the idea of being able to tweak software
effects in real-time, and have it save the results. That whole world
frightens and confuses me. I'm supposed to be smart and stuff, but I'm
afraid trying to figure out how to assign parameters to controller knobs and
chaining modules together make me want hit things with club.

Matt