I have a couple laptops with recording software, and never record with them because it's a pain to connect all the wires, etc--much easier to carry a palm sized recorder around.

You'll have to spend a couple bucks for mikes, audio interface, etc--(you can just plug a USB mike in, but they're not the best mikes)- you'll end up with all the stuff you'd need for a desk top studio--so you won't end up saving anything, and it won't be very portable.

If you want a desk top studio, it's something to consider, though--