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    Dell Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy - Worth It?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by NoteBooks4Ever, Aug 29, 2008.

  1. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    I have been wondering and maybe someone can tell me, is the $25 option for the integrated software Sound Blaster Audigy worth it for a Dell Studio/XPS/Inspiron laptop? Does it make the speakers on the laptop sound better, the headphones sound better, or both? The standard Dell speakers without the software is free, what's the real difference, and is it worth it or not?
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Aug 29, 2008
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  2. steb

    steb Notebook Geek

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    I don't think it's very useful - unless you play alot of games. For everything else (listening to music, etc.) it has no effect.
     
    steb, Aug 29, 2008
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  3. Enduct

    Enduct Notebook Consultant

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    It is a software addon, not hardware. It basically enhances the sound for both Windows and games so it sounds better. Sort of like Windows Media Player enhancements, but on a systemwide scale, not just for WMP. However, if you have a newer laptop, it will only work in Vista, not XP, due to hardware incompatability, so if you are planning to downgrade you will be disappointed. It works with both the speakers and headphones. Whether it's worth it or not is up to the buyer, so I make no comments on that.
     
    Enduct, Aug 29, 2008
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  4. lotta221211

    lotta221211 Notebook Evangelist

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    I personally don't think it is worth it being that it is a software upgrade. Many people buy it thinking it's a hardware upgrade.
     
    lotta221211, Aug 29, 2008
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  5. SkylineGTR

    SkylineGTR Notebook Enthusiast

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    If it were an internal hardware upgrade I would have gotten it. But becuase it was software, I saw it as something to bloat my system and allow Dell to collect a few extra bucks.
     
    SkylineGTR, Aug 30, 2008
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