Forgot to mention, if you actually do have the full stereo setup / requirement, you can always just buy a recording device, then copy that over to the laptop after. Marantz, Zoom (not the Chinese web video company), Tascam, Sony, and a couple others all make small handheld-sized, battery or plug powered, XLR or 1/8, audio recording devices. Record to SD/miniSD, then just drop it on your computer.
Yeah, those are a possibility too. I just like using something like “Wavosaur”, which also gives me very modest editing, and effects. (If I was REALLY “in” to it I’d use Audacity.)