Anywhere Computing with Laptops: Making Mobile Easier

The Hardware You'll Need

As I've mentioned before, it's easiest to use your mobile computer as a telephone if you equip it with a microphone and headset. You don't have to do this: If your mobile computer comes with an internal microphone and a speaker, you can just use these. The downside is that everyone around you will hear both sides of your conversation. And the audio quality of your phone conversations might not be as good as with a dedicated headset and microphone. For one thing, background noises won't be screened out.

Most mobile computers are equipped with two connection jacks—one for a microphone and one for a headphones. If you look at your laptop, you'll likely find the microphone jack marked with an appropriate icon and the headset ...