New Laptop Question

f8fan · 06-22-2009, 06:43 PM

My old home computer crashed and burned. (Thank God for external hard drives....I didn't lose any important files.) I bought a new computer, this time a laptop (Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 RM-72 Dual-Core Mobile Processor - Onyx Blue - L355D-S7901)

It's not the "greatest" be-all end-all of laptops but so far I am happy with it. I have a 1.5 terabyte external hard drive so all I was looking for was a large screen with a faster processor, hard drive size wasn't an issue for me...so far no complaints other than I want to install better speakers as I use my computer for a music player. On my old computer (desktop) I had a 5.1 surround sound hooked up to it.

What are my options as far as installing a new speaker system to this new laptop? The speakers on it SUCK. They are ok as far as Windows sounds but I am looking to use this laptop the same as what I used my old computer for....as a music player with some oomph. I used it as my home "stereo" somewhat. What do I need to do to make this new laptop be able to play music on an external speaker system? All it has is a headphone jack and a speaker jack. Will I be limited to 2.1 sound?

Sorry if this sounds dumb, I've never had a laptop for home use before.....

Orion · 06-22-2009, 07:51 PM

Newegg.com - GWC USB 5.1 Channel Audo Adapter AA1500 5.1 Channels USB Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

Gotta be a bit more 'creative' when it comes to laptops

(I have no personal experence with this device, just found it and it looks like it would fit your needs.)

Avalon · 06-22-2009, 07:52 PM

I think the most appropriate question would be, "What's your budget?" From what I can see, you will be limited to stereo audio, which can blow an average surround setup out of the water when done right. The primary thing you're looking for is a "line-level" output. A headphone output can almost always double as one. Therefore, you can hook the thing up to a receiver, pre-amp, or integrated amp. It will also hook up to most powered "computer" speaker packages. You say it has 2 jacks: a headphone and a speaker jack. It is important to know what exactly the speaker jack will output. The headphone is stereo. If the speaker output is "line-level", only that type of output can carry encoded surround information that can be decoded by an external processor such as a receiver. From what I can tell by browsing other sites, it's stereo only.

So let's say your laptop is stereo only. No big deal. You can purchase either a powered computer speaker system, or an audio/video receiver (which will also require external speakers). From here, your decision will be based upon what you want to do with it. If you want your laptop to provide audio for your entire home stereo system, then you'll likely want to purchase a receiver, which can hook up to your TV, CD/DVD/Blu-ray, and any other A/V component you may have. If you simply want better computer speakers, then a powered speaker set may be right for you. The sky is the limit; it may sound complex, but it's not.

Let's talk about the audio outputs again. It's important. A headphone jack is for headphones. A line level output, which could be your speaker output, carries a non-amplified signal, which is cleaner and has less noise. It must be amplified by some external unit in order for you to hear audio. I can't imagine a computer without one. If this is the case, you're in really good shape. From here, it's simply a question of the quality of audio you want. I would stay away from any type of surround sound.

So, what exactly would you like to do with it?

scottlocks · 06-24-2009, 10:23 AM

ah, somthing i am good with. avalon is right. there is some things to get around. but lets talk basic. when i built my quad core computer, i was looking for a stable mother borad with a good brand name. Asus, good brand, nice qualty, bad for sound, good built in graphics. ATI Raidon 4650 HD, the up graded graphics, no probs. i got it running, the INTEL CPU fan broke, so i got a new one. the mother borad crashed, replaced it, and that was that. i need one more "vent" fan, but i have no more PCI slots that it would fit in. Asus KP5KL-CM is not a good mother borad. and my computer is a low cost, gaming rig. 700-1000 USD for the whole set up? now thats good.

jo3olous · 06-24-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

Newegg.com - GWC USB 5.1 Channel Audo Adapter AA1500 5.1 Channels USB Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

Gotta be a bit more 'creative' when it comes to laptops

(I have no personal experence with this device, just found it and it looks like it would fit your needs.)

wow i didn't even know they made these. I'm way behind on my PC game! Prob cuz I don't do tech support post college

That seems to be the only clear cut solution though. Laptops in general cannot be internally modded, minus the hard drive. I was going to attempt soddering a new video card to one of mine, but I didn't think it was possible and didn't bother with the research

f8fan · 06-24-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jo3olous

wow i didn't even know they made these.

Me either! I'm gonna order that soon and will see how it works.

Orion · 06-24-2009, 07:17 PM

Yeah, anymore they make USB coffee makers

Other than that, for good SQ, I would look for some type of digital out from a PC card. Then you would have to figure some way to input it to your speakers of choice. Good SQ, but probably not cheap.

And I don't mean to cheapen' Avalon's advice in anyway. Line Out almost always trumps headphone out.

tom91970 · 06-26-2009, 08:10 AM

I can't help you with the speaker issue, since I use my home stereo for that. I've got that computer and have been more than happy with it. The sound is what you would expect from a laptop, though.

bmoraski · 07-04-2009, 07:27 AM

i purchased an Altec Lansing speaker setup from walmart i think i paid $ 50
2 speakers and a sub. just take line out of computer and plug in. i forget the watts but it works great ! , and only $ 50
and if the kids want to use there laptops all they do is plug into there computer

jediinthedark · 07-07-2009, 03:55 PM

I wanted to make a comment that didn't have anything to do with speakers...
Be careful about your storage. You've got an external drive which is great, but unless it is mirrored or in a raid of some kind (both would be expensive) then you are still putting all of your data on one drive. The key to successful external Hard Drives is to mirror your computers Data directory.
You always want your data in at least two places.

06-22-2009, 06:43 PM	#1
f8fan MFT Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangor, Maine Posts: 1,763	New Laptop Question My old home computer crashed and burned. (Thank God for external hard drives....I didn't lose any important files.) I bought a new computer, this time a laptop (Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 RM-72 Dual-Core Mobile Processor - Onyx Blue - L355D-S7901) It's not the "greatest" be-all end-all of laptops but so far I am happy with it. I have a 1.5 terabyte external hard drive so all I was looking for was a large screen with a faster processor, hard drive size wasn't an issue for me...so far no complaints other than I want to install better speakers as I use my computer for a music player. On my old computer (desktop) I had a 5.1 surround sound hooked up to it. What are my options as far as installing a new speaker system to this new laptop? The speakers on it SUCK. They are ok as far as Windows sounds but I am looking to use this laptop the same as what I used my old computer for....as a music player with some oomph. I used it as my home "stereo" somewhat. What do I need to do to make this new laptop be able to play music on an external speaker system? All it has is a headphone jack and a speaker jack. Will I be limited to 2.1 sound? Sorry if this sounds dumb, I've never had a laptop for home use before..... __________________ Kelly Please spay or neuter your pet! Last edited by f8fan; 06-22-2009 at 06:53 PM..

06-22-2009, 07:51 PM	#2
Orion Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,666	Newegg.com - GWC USB 5.1 Channel Audo Adapter AA1500 5.1 Channels USB Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards Gotta be a bit more 'creative' when it comes to laptops (I have no personal experence with this device, just found it and it looks like it would fit your needs.) __________________ I am Species 5618: Coffee Based life form Join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

06-22-2009, 07:52 PM	#3
Avalon Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 2,836	I think the most appropriate question would be, "What's your budget?" From what I can see, you will be limited to stereo audio, which can blow an average surround setup out of the water when done right. The primary thing you're looking for is a "line-level" output. A headphone output can almost always double as one. Therefore, you can hook the thing up to a receiver, pre-amp, or integrated amp. It will also hook up to most powered "computer" speaker packages. You say it has 2 jacks: a headphone and a speaker jack. It is important to know what exactly the speaker jack will output. The headphone is stereo. If the speaker output is "line-level", only that type of output can carry encoded surround information that can be decoded by an external processor such as a receiver. From what I can tell by browsing other sites, it's stereo only. So let's say your laptop is stereo only. No big deal. You can purchase either a powered computer speaker system, or an audio/video receiver (which will also require external speakers). From here, your decision will be based upon what you want to do with it. If you want your laptop to provide audio for your entire home stereo system, then you'll likely want to purchase a receiver, which can hook up to your TV, CD/DVD/Blu-ray, and any other A/V component you may have. If you simply want better computer speakers, then a powered speaker set may be right for you. The sky is the limit; it may sound complex, but it's not. Let's talk about the audio outputs again. It's important. A headphone jack is for headphones. A line level output, which could be your speaker output, carries a non-amplified signal, which is cleaner and has less noise. It must be amplified by some external unit in order for you to hear audio. I can't imagine a computer without one. If this is the case, you're in really good shape. From here, it's simply a question of the quality of audio you want. I would stay away from any type of surround sound. So, what exactly would you like to do with it? __________________ View my gallery here and join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

06-24-2009, 10:23 AM	#4
scottlocks Little Fish Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MASS Posts: 182	ah, somthing i am good with. avalon is right. there is some things to get around. but lets talk basic. when i built my quad core computer, i was looking for a stable mother borad with a good brand name. Asus, good brand, nice qualty, bad for sound, good built in graphics. ATI Raidon 4650 HD, the up graded graphics, no probs. i got it running, the INTEL CPU fan broke, so i got a new one. the mother borad crashed, replaced it, and that was that. i need one more "vent" fan, but i have no more PCI slots that it would fit in. Asus KP5KL-CM is not a good mother borad. and my computer is a low cost, gaming rig. 700-1000 USD for the whole set up? now thats good. __________________ My Avatar was made by cooltext.com yep, i got tanks, how about you? Yep, im a MASS hole as people in CA would call me. 15G 9 platy fry. 2 ottos 1 pleco(any one want him for free? he is 2 inches) 1 rambo platy filtration EHEIM aqua ball 20G 3 red eyed tetras 6 black neon tetra 3 sord tails filtration EHEIM Ecco 2232

06-24-2009, 07:17 PM	#7
Orion Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,666	Yeah, anymore they make USB coffee makers Other than that, for good SQ, I would look for some type of digital out from a PC card. Then you would have to figure some way to input it to your speakers of choice. Good SQ, but probably not cheap. And I don't mean to cheapen' Avalon's advice in anyway. Line Out almost always trumps headphone out. __________________ I am Species 5618: Coffee Based life form Join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

06-26-2009, 08:10 AM	#8
tom91970 Super Fish Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crockett, TX Posts: 1,210	I can't help you with the speaker issue, since I use my home stereo for that. I've got that computer and have been more than happy with it. The sound is what you would expect from a laptop, though. __________________ My tanks: 2.5g betta, 10g planted, 10g nano reef, 14g planted, 29g, 30g, 55g (empty) and 55g planted http://jpotx113.4t.com/index_1.html "The sun shines down on a lonely town Where the fish all smile 'cause they know us" -- Everclear

07-04-2009, 07:27 AM	#9
bmoraski Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 571	i purchased an Altec Lansing speaker setup from walmart i think i paid $ 50 2 speakers and a sub. just take line out of computer and plug in. i forget the watts but it works great ! , and only $ 50 and if the kids want to use there laptops all they do is plug into there computer __________________ 2.6G Fry ( snails + water spider ) 10G Guppies 20G Guppies, Pleco + ( Hornwort ) http://mysite.verizon.net/vzet42j1/index.html Bryan......................

07-07-2009, 03:55 PM	#10
jediinthedark Large Fish Join Date: May 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 629	I wanted to make a comment that didn't have anything to do with speakers... Be careful about your storage. You've got an external drive which is great, but unless it is mirrored or in a raid of some kind (both would be expensive) then you are still putting all of your data on one drive. The key to successful external Hard Drives is to mirror your computers Data directory. You always want your data in at least two places. __________________ One person can make a difference. Indeed it is only the individual that ever has. Welcome to the Tank where some fish are big and some fish are little but everyone is wet.