Should I get a Nikon DLSR D40x?

I have read so many wonderful reviews about this camera and I do want it, but theres just something holding me back a little bit. I take photos of flowers and take close-up pictures...is this a good camera for that? and what is SLR? and thats the difference between SLR and a point and shoot? thanks...sorry about all the questions bunched together haha.

A single lens reflex or SLR uses a mirror and prism system to see the actual incoming photons for composing and focusing via a viewfinder for your eye.

By comparison, a point and shoot uses an LCD screen for viewing the image for composition.

What this means is that the LCD screen is lower resolution and has a slight delay while an SLR viewfinder, because you see the actual incoming light, is instantaneous and much higher resolution.

As for the D40x, yes it's a good camera for flowers and close-up photos, as long as you have the right lens for it. The biggest advantage of DSLRs over point and shoots is the flexibility in being able to select a specialized, high-quality lens for a particular task.

EDIT: Fhotoace exaggerates when he says you need to have a *macro* lens to shoot flowers. In point of fact, all you need is a close-focusing lens or a lens with enough magnification (example: some telephoto lenses actually allow you to stand a good distance away, but still get a great flower photo because they magnify so much). Even a modest 1:3 or 1:4 magnification ratio is often good enough for a large flower (i.e. 1/3 life size or 1/4 life size). Thus, it's not a requirement to buy an expensive "macro" lens to get the flower shots you want, unless you want to photograph only the pollen grains.

For shooting flowers close up you need a macro lens .. what camera it is on does not matter. The D40x is a fine camera.

A P&S camera is one that is in the auto mode all the time, one that you cannot change lenses and perhaps the worst part is its sensor is tiny (5.27 x 3.96 mm) vs. your D40x's sensor which is 23.7 x 15.6 mm or over 17x the surface area. So, you can see the difference in image quality that can occure.

For now you can get the 18-55mm zoom that comes with the D40x kit and add some 52mm closeup lenses (they come in a kit, +1, +2, +3 diopters) They are inexpensive, but will give you some great shots of flowers closeup. When you can save more pennies, you can spring for the superb Nikon 60mm macro or 105mm macro VR

yes Nikon D40x is a great camera! it will work fine with ur demands..

SLR stands for "single lens reflector"
it has many advantages over a point and shoot...
lets just say with a SLR u have more control of your picture

The D40 is a great beginner DSLR. It gives you the option of full automatic shooting and completely manual operation. From your question I can tell this will be your first SLR. Aside from the definition that the others gave you be aware that you need to compose and focus through the viewfinder. Most SLR's do not have live view on the LCD screen that you are probably used to. I mention this because I have seen people complain about this before.