I have been using one for recording [Edirol R1] and found that the internal mike is pretty good (see also Yorkshire Garland)

Can use batteries but probably best to use power supply/etc supplied to plug socket as this can drain quickly

easy to use,portable no weight apparently being used by journalists similar to dictaphone but can download from Edirol to Hard drive as mp3

I have also had some success in burning from hard drive to CD using Focus software program

Flash card 512MB from memory cost around £20 UK

External mike /speakers may be needed too depending on what you want
Ray