Don't use a USB cable to transfer footage between a MiniDV camera and computer as Firewire is the de facto cable of choice. USB simply doesn't have the quality and will only carry pictures and not sound. Firewire on the other hand is designed specifically for video and audio transfer in one cable. Also all video editing software (correct me if I'm wrong) is designed to only operate with a firewire connection on your computer, be it laptop or desktop.

__________________
Better than a poke in the eye with a pointy stick any day...