Yay something I know something about...
I have a mini-studio at home running cubase and soundcraft 14:2 mixing desk. Personally I think that desk falls short of a decent solution for what you're after. It doesn't have a soundcard built in which means you'd have to buy one separate if you wanted to record into the drummers laptop at decent quality. Something along the lines of the yamaha NRV10 would be better (do you have firewire?) or another great bit of kit is the line 6 toneport UX8. The UX8 has a lot of software geared towards guitarists which may come in handy.

As regards recording your stuff there is no other option besides reaper. It's cheap, highly regarded and very versatile. It's simply unbeatable for the price. Although I have cubase which is a £400 program I am seriously thinking of moving over to reaper - it is simply that good.
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Thu 13 Nov 2008, 13:51, Reply)