Boss 864 or 532 adequate for pro-quality spoken voice recording?

[Lingo]

I wonder if a Boss 864 or 532 would be adequate for a very specific need I have -- to produce clean wav files of spoken voice with great audio quality. I appreciate any feedback people here could give. (I'm also posting similar questions in other relevant forums (e.g. about the Fostex MR8, etc.)

I'm involved in a project to produce foreign language learning CDs. Just mono voice with no singing or music at all. I tried using an MAudio Duo w/ my laptop, but would get occasional slight popping sounds. I defragged my laptop prior to recording, but I figure there's too many variables to potentially control to get the Duo-laptop approach to work well enough. Plus I want to avoid buying a new computer or second HD for audio files, if possible.

I wouldn't use the 864 or 532 for effects or editing, other than to adjust EQ. But I will do *a lot* of copying and moving voice clips around in the PC later with editing software, because language phrases will be repeated at different intervals to help students' learning.

I'm thinking perhaps if I record directly into a digital recorder and then transfer the wav files to my PC separately, I can avoid all chance of popping sounds or other problems. (Is this true, or could audio quality problems occur in the digital recorder, or in my PC simply by copying/pasting/moving voice snippets?)

BTW, I have a Sure SM58 mike.

I'd like to minimize cost and learning needs, (since I'm pretty much a rank newbie in the world of digital recording). I only need a single mono track and can transfer to PC frequently so the CF memory limitations aren't too big a deal, yet I would buy a 256 or 512MB card in addition to the recording device.

If I can record off of batteries only, I'd prefer it. But if sound quality wouldn't be adequate, I can go w/ a hard-drive based recorder, or even a used zip-disk or mini-disk recorder. I'm also considering the Fostex VF 80, the Zoom MRS 802 or 1044, the Tascam 788, or even a used, older system w/ better audio -- if needed.

What do ya'll think? Is 16 bit 44.1khz adequate? Would the Boss 864 or 532 capture clear, nice-sounding spoken voices. Would those files transfer w/o degredation to my laptop (whether via dierct USB hookup, or a CF reader)? Would the Fostex MR8 do fine, allowing me to save some money? Should I spend more for a HD-based system, or is there still a strong argument to stick w/ the Maudio Duo direct recording to my laptop?

Thanks for considering this.