For you computer wizards....

[JenT 0]

We have a desktop Gateway that has external speakers. David would like to use this computer for Skyping his daughter. We have headphones/mic for the laptop in the house, and that works well, but what would we need for David to use the desktop for Skype? Do we need an external mic since we already have the speakers or is there some other configuration that we need to look for?

Jen

[Dan J 277]

You can use a headset, just unplug the speakers when you are using the headset.

Having speakers with a separate mic can cause feedback if not configured correctly.

With skype you could get something like a wi-fi phone and then you wouldnt need a computer at all.

Edited November 13, 2007 by Dan + Gemvita

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

You can use a headset, just unplug the speakers when you are using the headset.

Having speakers with a separate mic can cause feedback if not configured correctly.

With skype you could get something like a wi-fi phone and then you wouldnt need a computer at all.

and also know that if you are in a small room you can have issues with feedback too.

[JenT 0]

The tower is tucked into a cubby at the bottom of the desk, so to pull it in or out every time would be really annoying. I had forgotten about the Skype phone.... will have to check their web site out again for that....

[*julez* 124]

My fiance uses a headset with an attached microphone that just plugs into the USB port.

[yassmine2878 1]

We're constantly switching back and forth between headset/mic and speakers so I bought some extension cables for the audio ports. I think they were about 3 bucks each at Frys and work perfectly. Never have to dig out the tower to switch audio devices. We also have a special set of speakers with a built in mic, but it gets really noisy so I try to get hubster to use the headset/mic for long conversations.

[JohnK 0]

Of course every computer is different, but your computer may have mic and headphone jacks on the front so you don't need to unplug the speakers. Usually if you plug headphones in your speakers will be muted until the headphones are unplugged.

[JenT 0]

We're constantly switching back and forth between headset/mic and speakers so I bought some extension cables for the audio ports. I think they were about 3 bucks each at Frys and work perfectly. Never have to dig out the tower to switch audio devices. We also have a special set of speakers with a built in mic, but it gets really noisy so I try to get hubster to use the headset/mic for long conversations.

As soon as I pressed 'post', I thought about some sort of extension cord....

Thanks everyone.... I'll see what I can come up with.

Jen