How can I record and make music with my laptop?

Okay, ppl, I need ur expertiese.
I have an HP laptop thats capable of recording (dual core processor, 4 usb, 2gb of ram, expresscard) but dont know where to start. I want to Get a MIDI keyboard controller and Finale and the Kontakt synthesizer. I also want to be able to turn the MIDI work into an end product that I can enhance, maybe add reverb where required, and master for a final transition to an actual audio file. So basically, I want a midi recording system and something to put that to audio. How can I do this? Do I need more than a MIDI keyboard controller, Finale, and a software synthesizer? Do I need any high end soundcard or other hardware?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Answers:
Free Music Trackers:
http://www.buzzmachines.com
http://www.modplug.com
http://www.nashnet.co.uk
http://nitrotracker.tobw.net
For me:
a MIDI Keyboard(Mine is USB), a Sound Card, and software will do the thing

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