I want a MIDI to USB cable that can connect to the computer. My Logitech drumkit and Rock Band 3 Keyboard both have MIDI-out ports and I want something decent for a novice keyboard player like myself, so I don't need anything too expensive.
Also what about those el-cheapo ebay ones from Hong Kong?
MIDI is nothing more than a serial interface running at a non-standard rate (31.25 kb/s) compared to serial terminals; and optoisolation. So the electronics inside those dongles would probably be a one chip solution and at those prices if it doesn't work out of the box, just toss it and get another one.
How much will I need to pay if I want a decent one that doesn't break down?
Why do you think the cheap ones are going to break down soon? Microelectronics is quite reliable compared to the bad old days. If you are worried, just buy two and keep one as a spare.
Doesn't that require some sort of converter box?