recording using a laptop / external sound systems

[Marcello]

I own a compaq laptop with a crappy 16bit soundcard and i'm not satisfied with the quality of my recordings. I'm thinking of buying a USB external soundcard.

But i'm all confused with all the different products on the market today. There are 24bit Audio solutions like M-Audio audiophile stuff, Omnistudio, etc and there are soundcards like soundblaster stuff.

is the M-Audio a soundcard or what?

if i use this equipment with my laptop is it gonna bypass my shitty 16 bit soundcard ? Can't figure out what i need really ...soundcard or something else

Thanks