Audio

Devices that provide sound

Sound Card

• Controls the output to external speakers
• "Integrated" audio uses the main RAM for memory
• "Integrated" audio may not have a MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) port to connect to a musical keyboard

Dell

• If you wish to play music or connect to a MIDI device, upgrade to a better sound card
• GX240: integrated SoundBlaster (AC-97 Audio)
• GX260: integrated SoundBlaster AC-97 Audio)
• Option: SoundBlaster Live 512V

Speakers

• Standard on all computers
• May be adequate for business applications

Speakers – External

• Provide better quality sound
• Some are built into video displays to save desk space

Sub-Woofer

• Extra speaker component that provides more bass sound

Dell

• Optiplex: only an internal speaker is included
• Latitude: internal speaker
• Option: Harmon Kardon 206 speakers
• Option: Harmon Kardon 385 speakers with sub-woofer

Microphones

• Required for voice recognition software
• A basic microphone is usually included with voice recognition software
• Better microphones have "sound-cancellation" to reduce background noise
• Windows XP includes basic voice-recognition features