As a possible answer to Mr. De Boer's question, may I suggest going the
USB route. The Universal Serial Buss is quite common on recent
computers, including laptops. Edirol (the mail order division of Roland)
has a very nice MIDI interface which connects to the USB and works very
well It includes support for several MIDI devices. Contact Edirol at:
http://www.edirol.com

I am using one and am quite happy with it.
Jim Cook