How to Boost Your Laptop's Audio Output

Reader Ken Ferris writes: I would like to be able use my laptop as a receiver for FM radio on an outdoor job. I also need something to boost the sound through the speakers. We are loud when working and can't hear the music because it's too soft. I can't work without music!

I'll take the second question first: How to amplify the volume of music playing from a laptop. As you're probably aware already, most laptops are hardly designed with premium sound output in mind. The speakers are small and there is really nothing in the way of an amplifier as we know it.

You can attack this problem in one of two major ways. First, the speakers. You can't just hook up the monsters in your living room, but you can upgrade to premium computer speakers. I'd suggest the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 System (you don't want to be hauling a 5.1 system around outside, I figure). These 30-watt speakers are reliable and portable and, at $100, you won't lose too much sleep if a 2 by 4 drops on them.

Great speakers won't do much good if you have no power going to them, so, as a second solution, I'd also recommend checking out the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (pictured), a PC Card that you install in your laptop and which provides substantially better audio output. There's no ExpressCard version, however, so make sure your notebook can support the older PC Card.

Another option would be to upgrade to a laptop with premium sound built-in. The Toshiba Qosmio line is probably the best audiophile laptop on the market, though it might be a bit pricey to risk taking on outdoor jobs.

Now let's address your first question, how to get FM radio on your laptop. There are a few products on the market that tune in FM radio signals and connect to your PC via USB. You can typically even record the radio as well for playback later. The Griffin Radio Shark is probably the best known of these, though you'll find plenty of no-name brands on the market, too.

All of this leads me to one last question, though, and that's to ask why you'd want to go to all this trouble and expense when you can get a perfectly good FM/CD boombox for 20 or 30 bucks. You'll get better sound, easier operation, and less to worry about if it gets stolen or broken. If you've got a huge MP3 collection you want to work with, just get a model with an iPod dock (here's a good example). They're readily available for under $100.