ANOTHER NOVICE: signal input: is interface required??

HI team, brand spanking new AA2.0 user.. Last night.  I am a practicing musician who currently has sessions in Protools in Studio Project. Hoping to record basslines with AA2.0 and export to Protoolds/CuBase.
QUESTION: (and it is basic DUUH! i am sure).  I use a new Toshiba notebook. What should I be using as an input device for bass line out (via FX processor)??  I have used microphone input, however noise (earth hum) and Peak levels are very high.  This I expected.  Not sure of specs (sound card) off hand, but, do I need some kind of AA2 version of a Motu used with CuBase, or is there an efficient and reliable alternative.?????
I ahve scanned official site tutorials and found nought.. May have missed it (at work, naughty Gumby).

All response will be great:

Does your laptop have firewire?  I'd definitely recommend getting a new card/interface.  I use a Presonus Firepod, and have had great results with it so I'd recommend the brand name.  A firepod would be way overkill for recording basslines, but there are smaller versions of these devices by Presonus, and many other companies.

Hang tight, I'm sure others will jump in here....  

Have you tried to stick it to LIN IN input (if there is any)?
(Off course via DI box, preamp or prosessor)

Does your laptop have firewire?  I'd definitely recommend getting a new card/interface.  I use a Presonus Firepod, and have had great results with it so I'd recommend the brand name.  A firepod would be way overkill for recording basslines, but there are smaller versions of these devices by Presonus, and many other companies.

The smaller version is the Firebox, and I use one with my HP laptop.  While I haven't recorded my bass guitar directly, I have successfully plugged the bass into an instrument input on the Firebox, and done pitch->MIDI conversions with it.