I researched the 2 recommendations I had for recording software.

http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-i-Series
PreSonus Studio One:  The Artist version comes with the AudioBox USB 2X2 interface box purchase ($99). This seems to be enough to get me started with the option to upgrade to Professional. A key here for me is the requirement of monitor resolution no lower than 1280 x 768 pixels. I did see a few questionable comments on the box reliability/durability.

https://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X3-Producer
SONAR X3 Producer (Cakewalk): This is their top of the line product ($329). They had a Studio version ($199) and a base version ($99). I would still need to get an interface box. Also, their requirement for monitor resolution is 1280 x 800 (my laptop max is1366 x 768 – could be a show-stopper),

This is going to require some more thought and research.

Perhaps a trip to Guitar Center is in order.

-LoadEd