Laptop for connecting to CNC?

[JAZZCNC]

So if I get this right a UC controller is really no different (with some exceptions) to other controllers in principle. But If say I have Mach3 I would pretty much find it is a necessity to connect to my PC/Laptop because I'd need to use the UC100 controller to connect through a USB port?

Yes the UC100 is USB only and will only work on a Windows PC. The Control Software can be either UCCNC which is there own software or Mach3/4. In which case you use a Special Plug-in piece of software supplied by UC100 manufacturer so it works with Mach3. (To be honest, it's the same for UCCNC but it's built into the software installer)

From what has been said about a USB connection being possibly unreliable (especially with a laptop) I think maybe the UC300ETH-5LPT controller might be better if I go for UCCNC Software simply because of the cost of matching the licence with a controller, I'm just thinking out loud (thinking the UC300EHT might be better long term. I understand what you are saying about the wiring but if I do some of a CNC build myself I'm going to have to learn quite a lot about wiring anyway.

Not always and this is the problem to some degree, it's fine on some and not on others. Quality of the USB cable plays a big part as well as the PC setup.
Where as Ethernet is pretty much rock solid and doesn't get interfered with by outside factors like electrical noise etc. Ethernet is the way to go without a doubt.

The cost of the UC300EHT controller is about £145 from the same as above, but then from what I gather I'd need could/will need a breakout board too £??? and software (Mach3 or maybe UCCNC). Say UCCNC costs around £60 for the software licence (at a guess that is) so I'm guessing as a bundle it could cost around £250 for the Controller, Breakout board and Software. I guess what ever you look at if you are thinking of using comprehensive software to control and manage a CNC machine then £250 is going to be pretty much a base figure.

Yes, don't cut corners on the controller or the breakout board because it's the heart of the machine. Cheap nasty breakout boards can be the bain of your life and cause frustration to the point you'll go bald or if folicly challenged like me want to scalp your self with a blunt kitchen knife.

I thought a UC100 controller did everything but maybe not I sure need to look into this in more depth. The replies and comments are all helpful but it's a lot of inforation to fit together. I'm going to look more into an Ethernet controller, maybe a UC controller that has Ethernet connection. Also how a UC controller would link to the breakout board, then drivers and stepper motors. I mean if I'm planning on using Stepper motors and a Spindle with VFC would I need a breakout board with a UC300 to connect to the stepper motors if I used say Closed loop Stepper Motors and HBS57 Drivers?

With the Exception of the AXBB all the others will need a breakout board to make life easier and safer when it comes to wiring.
The main difference between the controllers other than the connection type mostly boils down to frequency speed and the number of I/O (inputs/outputs). The wiring for steppers, e-stop, etc is essentially the same for all of them including the AXBB. How they connect to the breakout boards (BOB) will depend on the BOB you use but usually, it's either via a cable or by directly plugging the controller into the BOB via purposefully built-in header connections.
The prices for BOB's range from £5 to £250 and with varying degrees of features and quality. Often you get what you pay for but it also depends on your needs, machine usage, and environment to which suits you best.
My advice here is that if you intend to use this machine for business or serious hobby then don't cut corners on the BOB. Remember the controller is the heart but the BOB is like the arteries and if they are blocked because it's slow and rubbish then just like in real life the performance will suffer and it will probably die at young age.!