Roland Edirol R-09 and laptop interfaces.

Question has anyone used the Roland Edirol R-09?  I am very interested in purchasing on to hone my skills ... any user comments?  Also does anyone have advise or know of a laptop interface?  I have been told by guitar stores that I can purchase an interface that will alow me to plug my acoustic into my laptopand ... as I don't read or write music ... it will transpose it on the laptop for me ... true or false?