Which Audio Interface for Me?

Okay, I have decided to make the switch from my iMic and a mixer to an audio interface that has two inputs so I can record two channels at once. I may be using external pre's at times so it must have line-in's. Also, right now I am using a Rev. A Mac Mini, but soon I will be upgrading to a Mac Intel Book to be named later. I will mainly use this to record acoustic guitar, vocals, bass, and ocassionally drums (using a mixer to sub mix and then into the audio interface). I will do everything for my own home enjoyment so my standards are real high. Here are the possibilities I have come up with from the Sweetwater catalog in my price range ($150 - $300):
1.)Lexicon Alpha (this is a new model) or Lambda - both are USB
2.)Tapco Link.USB
3.)Makie Spike (USB)
4.)Alesis io I 14 (what is this thing USB or Firewire?)
5.)M-Audio Firewire 410
6.)Presonus Firebox

It doesn't matter to me if it is USB or Firewire, I guess my biggest requirement is the ability to use the line-in for external pre's. Thanks for any help!

 

Do you have any suggestions out side of that price range for 2 channels? I'm open to other ideas.

Also, thanks for the s/w question I meant to mention that. Right now I will use Garageband with the hopes of upgrading to Logic Express in the future when I get the MacBook to be named later.

 

WOWZA!! That might be a bit out of my price range. I'm just looking for something to record myself and my brother with for our own enjoyment. I would like to use some external pre's just because I have them and I like the sould of them on different instruments. Thanks for the help!

I guess the FireBox is probably the most popular, I just thought I would check and see if anyone had any experience with any of these other devices.