Tascam DP-01FX or Tascam US-144

[~(lunch_box)~]

Hi i am a drummer and my friend/guitarists dad bought him a tascam us-144 audio interface for christmas which costs 200 dollars. The problem is we cant use it to record because we don't own a laptop and there isn't a computer where we would be recording. Now he is thinking about buying a laptop which will run him at least 1000 dollars just so we can use this.
I found the tascam dp-01fx online for 450 dollars and i am thinking about convinving him to return the us-144 and get this.
The dp-01fx is an 8-track digital recorder with a 40 GB harddrive so we wouldnt need a laptop.
So i just wanted to know if any one knew which type of recording device, us-144 or dp-01fx, would give us the best recording and whether you think we should keep the us-144 or get the dp-01fx.

thanks

[Flik]

correct me if im wrong, but cant you use the us-144 with a normal desktop pc?

or are you looking for mobility here?

[Screamin_Demon_Auz]

I have the DP01 which is the same thing; just no effects and it only takes 1/4" cords so the xlr cables will need an adaptor. It's perfect because you can record everything, then either use an outboard effects processor or plug it into your computer and add effects or burn the songs to a CD.

[~(lunch_box)~]

correct me if im wrong, but cant you use the us-144 with a normal desktop pc?

or are you looking for mobility here?

yes we are looking for mobility because we have to record in my basement and there isn't anywhere to hook up a pc in my basement, so with the us-144 we would need a laptop

[Moseph]

Do you need to do all your mixing in the same space as your recording? Because that would complicate things.

It sounds like the best plan would be to get a mobile device like the DP-01FX (though I think the feature set is better from the Fostex MR8HD) and then transfer/bounce the tracks to your desktop computer for mixing and editing. On-the-spot mixing/editing is capable using the mobile devices, but you'll be a slave to the onboard effects and mixing capabilities, which are traditionally not so hot.

[~(lunch_box)~]

yea thats what i was thinking moseph

thanks every one for the advice