Dayn72283

The inevitable has finally happened and my laptop has kicked the bucket. I have been using an HP 6730b laptop to record from my Phonic Helixboard via an ExpressCard Firewire adapter, and it has served me pretty well over the last 3 or 4 years. I've been looking around today, and it doesn't seem like there are any new laptops being made with Expresscard slots or built-in firewire for under $1k. I really can't afford to spend more than around $800 on a new laptop.
My question is: Does anyone have experience using Firewire to USB 3.0 or eSata to record up to 16 channels simultaneously? The specs for eSata look like it has more than enough throughput to work with audio interfaces, but what about dropouts and whatnot? I'm really at a loss here, since I need a laptop so I can use it for school and work, as well as hobby recording, but I can't afford $1200 for one with an Expresscard slot. Help?