I want to start streaming, don't need anything spectacular, just something that looks decent and works.

Also can i stream from my laptop? Or does it have to be a tower

HD dazzle is about 90$ american
Happauge is 200

You computer and speed of it doesnt matter all that much when it comes to streaming, but it does when it comes to rendering videos (like clips, montages, gameplays and stuff for uploading)

Uploading (like to youtube) or streaming video online has to do with your internet connection speed, especially your upload speed, if your upload speed isnt good your video stream will most likely lag


Now when it comes to budget captures cards i dont have much info in this area because i went ahead and got a nice HD one and dont know much about the cheaper SD ones

Just do what Landon does, stream with a video camera

lol.