Newbie looking for what to purchase

[Cow]

Hello,
I am an absolute beginner at this stuff.
I have some experience with Fruity Loops; don't know if relevant.

Any advice on what sp to buy (are they even called sp's in general)? i'm looking for something as cheap as possible that will still function, but if required will pay a little more. used is fine.

the
303/404/505
are all on the table right now, as per friend's recommendation.

could anyone enlighten me as to the differences between these, and why i should get one over the other? the 303 i've seen listed for a bit more than the 505, but the 505 seems to be just as good, if not better. any theories?

thanks for the help.

[ellaguru]

all those are personal and direct opinons (i have/had the 3)
best sequencer:505 (it lacks of step recording but it has patterns and songs)
best sound:303 (the warmest/punchy sound of the 3)
best reliability/praticity:404 (batteries+cf card for import/export .wav:303&505 no .wav export...)
best fx:404 (the dj looper is a must)
...after all, those opinions are nothing, all is dipending on your personal workflow/taste. coming from FL look also at sp606/555:they can be easly relied at a pc as soundcard/contoller,but yes, the price is not the same as the "magic trio" above...