* It would be very risky to purchase any computer hoping it would be fully functional with Writelog, RITTY/K6STI, and probably other software that uses the sound chip of the computer WITHOUT PERSONALLY TESTING IT OUT FIRST! This is true even if the programs are WINDOWS programs (e.g. Writelog).
* Within a model line, e.g. Dell Inspiron or HP Pavilion, different sound chipsets might be utilized. Thus statements from other hams like "Writelog works fine on my Dell" or even "Writelog works fine on my Dell Inspiron" are fairly worthless. You need to know HOW functional (the "score" in the Writelog example) and the exact model number. It would also be nice to know something about the A/D converter in the sound system to give you some idea of working dynamic range.
I spent most of my time with the Dell Inspiron 7500 and 3800, and the HP Pavilion N3150. If you visit the web sites of the various laptop manufacturers, you will find varying amounts of information about their sound. Most have statements like "Soundblaster Pro sound" or "Soundblaster-compatible". Dell is more specific than most, e.g. for the Inspiron 7500 quoting "ESS Maestro-2E". If you visit the ESS web site (www.esstech.com), you can find an incredible amount of detail about the Maestro-2 chip, and some about the 2E. Looks like this chip supports up to 20-bit A/D!
Systems tested (info from web pages):
Dell Inspiron 7500: ESS Maestro 2E audio providing 3D positional sound with SoundBlaster® Pro compatability
Dell Inspiron 3800: SoundBlaster® Pro compatible voice and music, ESS Maestro 3i audio chip providing 3D positional sound
HP Pavilion N3150: 16-bit SoundBlaster Pro Compatible with dual built-in speakers and acoustic chamber
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1. RITTY v411 opens on the Dell Inspiron 7500 and 3800, and the HP Pavilion N3150 with the statement "8-bit A/D, partial mixer", whereas on my Gateway with "Soundblaster-16 sound" it says "16-bit A/D, FULL mixer". Some have said that RITTY function on the Inspiron 7500 can be improved by downloading DOS drivers available on the Dell web site. RITTY is fairly particular - If you're committed to it, choose your sound system very carefully!
2. The Writelog soundchecker program (You HAVE tried it, right?) scores the Inspiron with 7f, I think the highest score, and indicates that it is FULLY COMPATIBLE with all functions of Writelog, including simultaneous play and record, 2R operation of WinRTTY, automatically switching in the mic for Shift + F key recording and back to the line input for tape loop recording, and mute switches that allow the routing of mic audio or wave file recordings through to 2 radios on the sound board L/R outputs. Interesting that Writelog gave an HP Pavilion (unsure model number) a lower score yesterday during a "secret" in-store test (!), but this evening another Pavilion (N3150), scored the 7f high score.
3. Guess what? As the Pavilion N3150 is booting up, I notice the screen says something about "ESS MAESTRO-2E" sound - It'sapparently the same chipset as the Dell Inspiron 7500! (I couldn't discern this info from the HP website.) This is consistent with the Inspiron and Pavilion both scoring 7f with Writelog.
I suppose most other programs like Digipan, MMTTY, and the Hellschreiber programs will all work with any WIN95 or WIN98 computer with a sound card appropriate for the operating system. However, complex programs like Writelog and particular programs like RITTY need to be tested specifically with the computer on which you intend to run the programs, particularly to ensure that maximum functionality is achieved with the software.
P.S. Kudos to Wayne Wright, W5XD for providing the soundboard checker program for Writelog.
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