But like I say, make a list of your projected needs! 
If your going to buy a mixer then 2x2 is possibly not enough. You'll want rear panel line ins too. 
the 2i4 doesn't have SPDIF which is super important if you find yourself with a good pre amp or even monitors with that option. I repeat- For a few extra bucks the 6i6 has way more going for it than the 2i4. The mix control software is worth the extra $30 alone.  
 
I run 2 mixers, one analog and one digital. 
I use the 3/4  in and outs to the analog mixer used for my old MIDI gear. 
I use the SPDIF in/out for my digital mixer which gives me another 16 mike inputs, monitoring control and DSP efxs and compression for both monitoring and printing to tape. 
I also need the MIDI ports. 
And as I said a lot of people report issues with buss powered interfaces introducing noise into the system. 
Make a list trust me. 

Thanks Cactus, but like I said a couple times, including in the original post, I do everything 100% in software. I don't use any external hardware except a midi keyboard and on occasion, a single mic and/or a single guitar. That's why I'm looking for simplicity. And believe it or not, I won't even touch the mix control software! Haha. I work 100% in Sonar and using various VSTs every step of the way from simple idea to a fully completed, mixed and mastered song.
 
I actually wish I could just get an 88 key M-Audio Ozonic and keep my audio interface built into my keyboard! Haha. They just unfortunately don't make such a thing (and I understand why, an all in one is a niche thing to begin with, and I'm sure the vast majority of people with such simple needs are looking for on the go recording solutions, not a big 88 key keyboard).

I think I saw this "  I still gotta get a new desk first though " and was thinking Mixing desk! 
Carry on. 

hahaha

polarbear
...unless I want to leave the Ozonic sitting there plugged in (which I don't)...

There's no law against having more than one keyboard.  I sometimes find it convenient to set my 2 keyboards to different midi channels for triggering 2 instruments eliminating the need to switch back and forth.

Yea I just don't know if I could realistically fit it on my desk, even with the new big desk i'm gonna get, and I know me... If it's not on my desk directly in front of me, I'm not gonna touch it. Technically I own like 4 keyboards and I haven't touched the other 3 since I got the current one haha.

Hey polarbear,
I had a chance to check out my new UR-44 last night.  Need to keep testing it but here is the first pass bullet list:
 
1.  Easy to install.
2.  Mic pres are outstanding.  There is a huge difference between this and my old Zoom R24.  They are clean and quiet.
3.  dsp interface:  This controls the UR-44 inputs and outputs for live monitoring to get 0 latency.  Works very well but had an issue where the audio for the included Yamaga guitar sim became thin and high-ended for some reason.  Had to close and reopen the dsp to reset.
4.  The UR-44 worked great for DAWS and it also sounds great in Auria with my iPad. 
5.  The dual headphone outs sound great but if you turn them up to 9-10, I hear white noise.  I think that is the headphone amps.
6.  Camtasia audio:  This is the first time I have been able to record video and audio from my desktop for making videos. 
 
I have yet to test multi-mic input.
 
So far very happy with it.
 
Rimshot
 

Right on, Thanks for letting me know. The Steinberg is still defeinitely in the running for me. I'll be making my decisions next week.

You can always look at an online place like Sweetwater and see what is in the market place - does not mean you have to buy from there, since there may be a local store or a different on-line place also.
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/computer-audio/audio_interfaces/
 
And firewire is not going to be as common as usb 2 or 3 anymore because no such connections on a lot of computers and USB 2 can handle 50 channels in and out for a unit or at least 48 channels type mixer, board, whatever.
 

oh yea, i've been researching like crazy on sweetwater and all the major companies own sites. I was just on here looking for any recommendations/suggestions :-)
 
I think I'm pretty set on interface (at least between my top 2)... Now on to my new controller... haha.