[pkautzsch]

For live concert recording, I think a dedicated device is good. I myself do use a laptop with interface (2004 Toshiba Satellite and MOTU 896) plus external pre/AD for more channels if necessary, but if possible I'm always running a friend's Fostex D2424 as backup. Could do fine with just the D2424 except for having to import the stuff into the DAW later. For now, I'm fine with just one backup, but I recall Steve Remote writing about a "backup for the backup". Oh, I have an old DA-20, could actually use that one.
I'm also doing remote non-live production, and for that purpose a laptop is a lot better since it saves paperwork. Simply put markers for each take and note the marker ID in the music sheets. AND easier to re-listen to passages: mouse, cursor, click wherever I want playback to start. No "rewind" or "fast forward" stuff.