[LAU] Realtek ALC882D

[Lee Revell]

On 7/23/07, Chris McCormick <chris at mccormick.cx> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm about to purchase this ASUS laptop:
> <http://www.alvio.com/config.aspx?t=&product_ID=11110>
>
> I was just wondering if anyone had experience with the sound device
> (Realtek ALC882D) or this laptop specifically? I will be 'touring' with
> it next year. I chose this ASUS over a macbook based on the testimonies
> on this list earlier in the year; thanks for yr help!

Don't count on the onboard sound being usable for live performance -
many (most) laptops' onboard sound is way too noisy and HDA intel
systems have lots of driver problems due to the flexibility of the
architecture combined with lack of docs for driver writers.

If at all possible, test one in a store with a Linux live CD
containing a recent ALSA such as the latest Knoppix release.  Even
better, test with a 64studio live CD and try to run JACK for a while
to see if you get xruns.  Next best would be a first hand account from
someone with the EXACT same laptop.  If neither of those are possible,
make sure you can easily return it if the sound is too bad for your
needs.

Even though Intel Macs also use HDA audio, their quality control is
better as their target market is media production vs. web surfing and
gaming.

Lee