Multi Track Recording for a dummies (please help!)

Question

Background:
I've tried to search these forums and others for an answer to this question, but there is almost too much info out there and a lot of it is pretty confusing (for example: http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials/AggregateDevice.html )
The Goal:
My nephew would like to record multiple tracks of audio into Garage Band at the same time. For example, 4 people each singing at the same time. (by the way, he has a brand new MacBook).
Neither he nor I know much about music equipment these days, although I have some experience from the early 90s.
From what I can tell, there are 2 options:
1) Use a multi-track recorder.
Like this: http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOSMR8MKII ). First you record onto the included compact flash card, then you then you import each track into Garage Band (one track at a time?).
2) Record all 4 tracks directly into Garage Band.
Option 2 seems like the best for his needs, but we can't quite figure out what device is needed. Somewhere we read that we need a "4 track audio interface" but somewhere else someone said that an audio interface would mix all 4 tracks together into 1. I also have no idea who the best manufacturers are these days, etc. I don't even know enough to do a decent google search.
We're not looking for something top-of-the-line. Just something solid and reliable with decent sound quality. Hoping to keep it under $250. He knows he is going to have to dive in and really learn Garage Band, but we are hoping that there is something out there that is as close to plug-and-play as possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

i can't help but ask: what did you not understand in that? it shows you step by step what to click, there really isn't anything to understand, just follow the steps.
Well, the title of my post does say "for dummies" (actually its says "for a dummies" - nice proof reading on my part).
But to answer your question (if you really want to know), its daunting for someone with zero point zero Garage Band experience. Put yourself in the position of someone with no Garage Band knowledge whatsoever. Then read that post. It assumes that the reader at least knows why they are on that page, as opposed to having stumbled onto it through some random google link. It doesn't actually say up front anywhere that this is for recording multiple tracks into Garage Band. In fact, none of the steps are done inside Garage Band - its in a utility called "Audio Midi Setup."
I am not saying that its poorly written, or unclear, I just didn't "get it" at first. Keep in mind that I am working in the dark here and trying to get up the learning curve as quickly as I can. This is all new stuff to me - and I am just trying to help out my nephew.
Now subsequent to my original post, I found a FAQ on that site and then found this: http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials/RecordingMultipleTracks.html So now I understand that you can either use an "interface", or create this so called "aggregate device". Little by little its all falling into place. ( Also its seems like that is a really good site for Garage Band info. )
but somewhere else someone said that an audio interface would mix all 4 tracks together into 1.
that's a silly thing to say, it depends on the interface, the one linked to above will record to separate tracks.
Again, I am stumbling around in the dark. Cut me some slack. How was I supposed to know that something someone else wrote was silly?
But MOST importantly, you did give me a link to a device that will do what he wants, the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB. Thank You!!! Now if we could find one that's a little cheaper I'd really be in business.