I need opinions as regards C# vs C++.
Which is better.
I understand the .Net framework offers new and innovative capabilities but i need to learn one of the two.
Which one should i learn?
I'm going to be working on interfacing different hardwares with the pc. i have used vb once but i'm thinking probably any of these two will be easier and yet more powerfull and versatile

I'd say go for C# if you want to develop applications at high level especially Commercial applications. It helps you do the same hard task with less the code, time and effort. A draw back its not platform independent, needs the interpreter. I was put in this situation before but i selected C# and really enjoy it and surely more than I would in C++ by now.

Anyway if you learn C#, you could learn C++ with not much difficulty. Though C# everything needs classes and OOP is at the core.

Although I like C#, if you're interfacing directly with hardware C++ is the better choice as it doesn't have all the layers between your code and the hardware that C# does...I'm sure it's possible with C#, but it's not what it was designed to do. In addition, you'll find many more examples and resources to help you in C++.

Good luck,
-SN