My friend Ryan the drummer http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1322626
  wants to get together and jam. He wants me to record it, so instead of breaking down my rig and hauling it 25 miles to his place, I borrowed an old laptop from my brother the programmer. It's an old XP machine so I loaded Music Creator Pro 24 on it and set it up. It records and plays back MIDI (entered in PRV and staff) and plays audio, but I haven't checked out it's recording capabilities yet.
I noticed the laptop has 2 3.5 mm inputs labelled (with icons) headphone by 1 and microphone by the other, with S/PDIF between the 2 inputs. I'm assuming that with proper set up (I'm not sure how to do that), the 2 inputs are S/PDIF.
Now, my Focusrite Saffire has S/PDIF (RCA). The questions are, and I think I already know the answers, would connecting the Saffire up to the machine yield better recordings than just using my Yamaha mixer connected to the line in? Is S/PDIF just audio, or would I need to also load the Focusrite drivers in the laptop?
The computer is a Hewlett Packard Pavillion dv8000. It's a monster. It must weigh 15 pounds!
 

I would avoid the S/PDIF connection as A)it seems like it's some proprietary connection into the laptop, B) figuring out the whole master vs. slave clock signal will be a hassle, and C) assuming the ADC's on the laptops inputs are decent, then audio quality will be comparable.  Also, digital S/PDIF is only 2-channels, i.e. stereo.

Generally it would be a spdif output that's shared with the headphone jack, not an input.

drewfx1
Generally it would be a spdif output that's shared with the headphone jack, not an input.

So, 1 is a stereo in and the other is out?
 
2:30AM, it's going to be 2 channels anyway, since the Saffire is 2 ins only, and I only have 2 mikes.
The laptop recorded fine, although there was quite a bit of noise, either from the Yamaha mixer or the Conexant's ADCs. Or old cords. I could see it, but couldn't hear it, given my bad ears. Regardless, it's just going to be 2 guys pounding on instruments.
I appreciate ya'll replying. It would probably be more trouble than it's worth, trying to set it up, for 2 guys in a garage.
Thanks!

I have the 15" variant of this. The SPDIF is only output according to HP info. The mic input goes to the onboard soundcard. I'd stick with a USB interface for better quality.

I would lug the gear...Live jams are MUCH more fun and intuitive.  You just never know what will happen.
 

I can verify what soens said above. The SPDIF is only for output. That's a real shame since you'll be stuck using the laptop's ADCs. But since this is only for recording a jam, it may be good enough. There will be lots of room noise, I imagine.

Thanks. 
 
" I'd stick with a USB interface for better quality."
 
This is the original Saffire, as in Saf FireWire.
 
"I would lug the gear...Live jams are MUCH more fun and intuitive.  You just never know what will happen."
 
I drive a Miata.
 
 

Either that or pick up a Tascam DR 40, ( or Zoom?, )  it has 2 XLR's plus the on board condensers so 4 tracks.  fits in your pocket, fast set up, records non stop forever! mark songs one button push, Will record MP3 or WAVE. You'll find once you own one you will use it a lot.  

Ditto on preferably not using spidf for recording...