I looked at them a while back for my wife also. Some of the newer ones let you hook them up to the computer, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. What I found was that can do design work on the computer, but you still need the cartridges to use any design patterns in the software. I want to say they gave you the designs to use, but you had to purchase the cartridges to be able to use them. Check reviews on-line, some had great reviews, others did not.
Will check with a friend to see what his wife has and see I can get some feedback for you.