Recording lectures and playing music with laptop closed?

[luigidorf]

I'll be starting college next year and I've been contemplating whether or not I need a digital recorder to record lectures so I can listen to them when I feel like it. I don't plan to use my laptop (15" MPB) for taking notes, but I can see bringing it along and using it (probably with an external mic) to record lectures. Is there a free way to record with the laptop closed? What about if I want to play music with the laptop closed? I've seen SleepLess recommended for this type of stuff but it's not free. Any other ways to accomplish this?

Thanks!

 

[flipnotik]

I've been using sleepless for awhile, and i feel its definitely worth the money.

As for free alternatives, i've heard a few things about Insomniax ...I haven't gotten a chance to try it, but free things are always a win-win situation when experimenting.