What else do I need once before I buy Producer X1?

Hi!
 
I posted last enquiring about Producer 8.5 since then it has been superseded. Having looked at the rest of the DAW market X1 appeals to me but before i buy have i got what I need?
 
I have partial experience of some programs, Mixcraft, Cubase, Reason. As a guitarist i will be using a ASIO device, Line 6 Pod X3.
 
My computer is a Acer 5742 Laptop, specs:
 
Product Features

• Intel Core i3-370M 2.4GHz Processor
• 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD
• DVD-Super Multi DL drive
• 6-cell Li-ion battery
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Technical Details
CPU:Intel® Core™ i3-370M processor (2.4GHz, 3MB L3 cache)
Screen:15.6" HD Acer CineCrystal™ LED LCD
Graphics:UMA
RAM:4 GB RAM
HDD:320 GB (5400 Rpm)
Optical Drive:DVD-Super Multi DL drive
Card Reader:2-in-1 card reader
Wireless:Acer Nplify™802.11b/g/n
Battery:6-cell Li-ion battery
WebCam:1.3 megapixel webcam
USB Slots:3
Color:Black
OS:Windows 7® Home Premium 64-bit
Battery Life:3hrs 20 min
Weight(KG):2.6
Unit Dimensions(mm):381 (W) x 253 (D) x 25/34 (H) mm
I/0 Ports:HDMI™ port with HDCP support,External display (VGA) port,Headphone/speaker/line-out jack,Microphone-in jack,Ethernet (RJ-45) port,DC-in jack for AC adapter
Software:Acer Crystal Eye,Acer eRecovery Management,Acer GridVista™,Adobe® Flash® Player,Adobe® Reader®,eSobi™,Google Toolbar™,McAfee® Internet Security Suite 2009 Trial,Microsoft® Works with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial,MyWinLocker®,Norton™ Online Backup,NTI Media Maker™
 
I have no midi gear whatsoever! I have seen the 1 octave midi controllers on other threads on here, are they resonably priced, do they have a usb from the keyboard to the laptop or do i need a midi interface? Can i use a onboard virtual keyboard?
 
 I'm quite new to the midi side, its been 23 yrs since I was on my Atari 1040ste running Cubase.. The experince i have with afore mentioned programmes is with friends equipment. I'm ok getting through these programmes and admittedly never looked at the midi plugs from keyboard to computer etc..my ignorance.
 
Mainly i just want to record drums, bass, guitar, vocals and keyboard. In time when thats out of my system I'll get back to other music of old techno, dance, ambient etc.
 
Any help is greatly appreciated. I now have the cash to buy and will do so knowing that I can load, plug in, play and record!!
 
Many thanks!!

 

Pod X3 works great for an interface for everything except drums. Looks like you are good to go except on something to record the live drums like AT said.

I run the POD X3 Live, Luv It. As for midi I picked up a PCR500 off of ebay for $150. The ONLY downside to it I can see is most of the VSTs are set up for 61 key but the 49 key works just as good. You can do everything on the computer without one though I believe. Im not much on the midi stuff either but I have played with it to lay drums, strings, etc... If you plan to record live drums, I would suggest something like adding the MAudio FTU or similar as far as the number of inputs.  The HD will be an issue, I would look at getting another hard drive as suggested above. So if budget is an issue I would;  go for the software and hard drive first, then get the rest as you can afford it.  ;)  Best of luck to ya!!!