Portable Rig - Suggestions Needed

I need to put together a mobile setup, as compact/light-weight as possible. I'm basically relocating for x months at a time, each time in a different countriy, so it's like I'm moving but only carrying w/ me what I'd take for a short trip overseas.

Beside the laptop, I plan on getting:

M-Audio AV30 - mostly because I've had good luck with their products in the past and they're affordable. I need something SMALL and light and I don't like/want to work w/ headphones. Do you guys know of any other options I might want to look into? 

I'm also looking for something like an all-in-one usb midi keyboard/audio interface, maybe similar to Line 6 KB37, preferably cross-platform. Something compact and reasonably priced, once again. A built-in basic preamp would be awesome.

KB37 would have seemed to be an option and I tried to find posts of the forum but couldn't really find much. There also seems to be issues w/ the latest revision of OSX, and I'd preferably want something cross-platform as mentioned earlier. Seems every time I've read about Line 6 there was some drivers issues.

Lastly, since I have to put this rig together all at once, budget is an issue. But I'm not looking into building a mobile version of AIR studios, just a solid compact portable songwriting rig.

Of course, I might be back soon for more advices in regards to the actual laptop (my *cough* expertise w/ those being strictly limited to Mac). MacBook Boot Camp not excluded as an option, btw. But feel free to disgress. ;)

Glad to get some positive feedback about that unit. 

OSX compatibility isn't crucial as I'm using Sonar (on XP, though the portable rig will most likely be running Windows 7). 

Nevertheless, I am also facing the same issue many here are facing in term of collaboration w/ the Mac/Logic folks. 

Since I have used Logic for years on the PC, it shouldn't be too much of a hassle for me to work w/ it. Of course there are workarounds, but the Boot Camp Sonar/Logic option is not excluded, though ultimately not a deciding factor.

Thanks Billy. :)

Actually, I'm not expecting too much from the AVs. I don't intend to finish any mix w/ them, I'm basically looking for something a bit better in term of range than your typical basic set of PC speakers, and I consider the AV's as such - a notch better. 

Which is why I'm on the hunt for better options if such a thing exists. Though I doubt. I've had a look at Roland/Cakewalk's MA-7A, but I know nothing about them and at 9 lbs for the pair, they're a bit heavy for the expedition I'm undertaking.

Imagine literally moving from Canada to the US for 4 months, then Russia for 3 months, then France for another 2 months, and then heading who knows where - could be Korea or Japan...  That's basically what I prepare for, so portable is no euphemism...

Woah, that is some slick design... As you say, I'd have to hear them though. 
Oh well, I guess I'll have to venture outside, spend time in music stores  and test some of them monitors... 

LOL I guess... Anyway, I'll be rigged for a couple of years after that. :)

Like many around here, I guess I've been over-exposed to those salesmen who'll almost start an argument w/ you when you dare ask for something that's not on their hot list. Nah, I wouldn't recommend that/we don't carry it/it's no good/I heard it's made in China; what you need is this here, buddy... 

I guess I get so caught up in what I do that the distinction isn't always all that clear to me either.

So let's put it straight - this isn't a full blown recording rig. Most of the work will be done via MIDI. I won't need to record more than a track at once. Everything will be software-based. I'm not even taking my guitar w/ me.

So this will be used to put songs together from scratch, work on the arrangement (usually a huge part of my work), track vocals, and put together a temporary basic/rough mix (which I shouldn't even call a mix I guess).

I have tried working w/ cans (fairly decent ones at that) but I hate it, though I do take a pair w/ me to track vocals.