Sorry, I have not worked with an IBM laptop for years, and don't know about their soundcard. In the past, you had to use a special connnector, (about $4) to plug into the unit. The bad part was you had to use an adapter box that had batteries to power the sound card. Those would always run down, and you had to replace them. That was a pain. I don't know if that is still the case. No matter, when you get a laptop, make sure that you buy it with the option to return it for full money back, no matter the make or model. That will protect you, and good companies will allow you to do that. Hope this helps you! Mark Kornheiser A1 Productivity Products http://www.ixpres.com/~productivity > > What about IBM laptops? Do these run Dragon Dictate well?