If you are getting an 00* skip the 001 and start at least at the 002. The 001 was a good unit (if unremarkable preamps) when it was new but there is SOOOO much better out there today. The 002 doesn't have stellar preamps either but did add some features from the 001.

Thanks for the suggestion but the reason I'm set on the 001 is price. And I just want something to play around with here and there.

Do you know the answers to my 2 questions from my first post?

The 001 uses a PCI card, so I don't see how you could use it with a laptop. (Unless maybe there is an express card adapter - I can't find one, but I did find some posts that indicate it is an expensive solution.)

I think the 002 would be a better solution if you want to use a laptop. You will be able to use the software on both computers if the computers meet the minimum requirements.

Cheers,
Dave

http://www.magma.com/products/pci/1PCI/index.html

Expect it to add latency. PT LE has to be registered so if your version has been registered already then it may or may not work.

Versions of various OS compatibility:
http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=3&langid=100&eid=847&categoryid=35

Bottom line: Can you make it work? Yes. Especially if you have a pocket protector and tape around your glasses. Will it be easily portable? Not so much.

Again there are far superior interfaces available today without this monkey cluster adapter business.

Thanks guys...

Wow, that adapter is more expensive than the 001 system itself! I was looking on ebay at 001's for $150-ish

According to the second link posted, it has no mention of Vista at all....hmmm...

You are right, I dont want to have to rig this all up with contraptions...So, what "far superior" interfaces and software (looking for complete package) is available for under $200?

You are correct. The 001 is NOT supported under Vista or any recent Mac OS. The reason you are seeing them for $150 on eBay is because they aren't compatible with new systems and their preamps are not up to snuff. That means people are unloading them for next to nothing. Trust me, when the 001 was new it was a long way from $150.

Your requirement of $200 for something with 8 ins and 8 outs isn't really reasonable. The cheapest interface I recommend is the Konnekt 24D. Then we jump to various Presonus units like the FS Project and the 2626; Mackie units like the Onyx mixers or the odd 400f on sale; Focusrite Sapphire series; M-Audio Profire series; etc.

If you are fixated on Digi, then get an 002. The preamps in the Focusrite and Onyx and likely the Presonus gear are better but they don't say "Digi" on them.

No, it ain't cheap. Cheap is never good. Also, when you see a "great deal" on eBay there is probably a very good reason-just like the "cheap" 001. Caveat emptor.

I have a Digi 001 on one of my desktop systems and the necessary PCI card, would make it nearly impossible to fly it on a laptop. It has to support the multipin between the interface and the card, plus the ADAT optical TOSLINK in/out connectors. It's not a bad piece of gear, but I think any money you 'saved' buying one, would evaporate pretty quickly trying to retrofit the laptop - and performance would almost certainly suffer.

Fair enough. I think I'm narrowing it down to the 002 or the PreSonus FireStudio Project. That comes with Cubase correct? I've used PT before, I'm assuming these are very similar right? I'm unsure of what a firewire port is though...

Both of these units should be compatible with both my desktop (XP), and laptop (Vista) correct? Plug and play is what I need, no ropes or hurdles!

The 002 is also a firewire interface so as long as both computers have a firewire port (digi approved of course) then you are golden. I wouldn't call Cubase LE and PT exactly similar. Both are good programs that are versatile.

I dont believe either of my computers have a firewire port....

Firewire ports are easy to purchase. Get a PCI/PCIe adapter card for your desktop and a Card Bus or Express Card adapter for your laptop. Make sure they have Texas Instrument chipsets. Digi publishes a list of compatible models but pretty much any TI chipset should work.

Alright then, thank, I will look into them