Customer Reviews
Incompatible 
2007-08-07
It is really a state-of-art SC, but it couldn't fit into the slit of my new DELL computer, so I had to turn it back. A friend of mine has the same one and is more than happy with it, but a piece of advice; before you buy it, make sure that it's compatible with the latest generation of your laptops!!!
Most cost-effective solution for surround sound on your laptop! 2007-07-14
"200 times better quality sound" sounds too good to be true, but there was a very noticeable difference as soon as I plugged it in and installed the software. You can hook up your surround sound speakers with the included cable, you can hook up your TV/Game System/Anything to the 'Line In' port with a component to 3.5mm adapter, which you can get for about 5 dollars, and you can hook headphones up to the line out.
The included software allows you to do just about anything with your sound- Recording it, Ripping CD's, playing music, and you can test/adjust individual speakers, and you can even turn on advanced effects that make it sound like you're listening while in a large stadium or a garage (or about 50 other choices). The CMSS 3D options in the EAX console are the best. You can change it to "virtual surround sound" as most MP3s are only stereo. It's an amazing step-up in sound quality.
Creative's volume control is in the toolbar at the bottom, and if you want to switch from line-in to pc audio, just adjust the dials! No unplugging necessary! And of course, if you plug in headphones it will switch to them automatically.
If you are also looking for Surround sound Speakers with this, I recommend the Logitech X-530. They sound amazing and can be found for ~40 dollars.Logitech X-530 70-Watt 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System - NEW White Box
BOTTOM LINE:
With a little searching you can find this for as low as 60 dollars, maybe even cheaper, and since you can hook-up anything that outputs sound to it, and play it in perfect quality surround sound, it's an all inclusive solution
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Surprisingly Good! 2007-07-05
I had the integrated sound go out on my Compaq V2000 notebook. I searched around for PCMCIA soundcards when I saw it would cost more than $400 to replace the motherboard of this 3 year old notebook.
I read some good reviews of this card, and Amazon had the best price, so I went for it. It works fantastic. The sound quality is on an entirely different level than the integrated sound chips. With a good pair of headphones you will hear things you didn't even know were there, especially lows and highs. I also tried it with my speaker system, and DVDs sound awesome as well.
Seeing how great the sound was, I was going to purchase a PCI version for my Desktop gaming PC, but intead grabbed a Rosewill PCMCIA to PCI adapter, which lets me use the Audigy 2 ZS on my Desktop as well. Again, it works and sounds great. Oblivion and FEAR sound simply amazing compared to the integrated audio.
Very happy with the product, and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
Changed sound for me 2007-07-01
This card unleashes your musics potential exponentially. it adds bass to speakers, headphones, and makes it louder and cleaner. one great feature is the when you have this baby plugged in and you have the "play from pc speakers" disabled, if you accidentally pull your headphone jack out of the hole, you wont blare your music through the laptop built in cheap speakers and be embarrased in a quiet library and get weird looks because of your loud gansta rap at which point you are then scambling to get to the mute button but windows decides to freeze and you cant shut it off...
anyways, this is a great investment for any music lover.
I broke the first one i had by dropping my computer on its side and crushing it, but it as soo good i had to buy another one. fortunately for me, the card took the majority of the impact and save my computer.
excellent alternative 2007-05-15
I have a laptop with original sound card mother board malfuntioning. The PCMCIA and sound blaster Audigy 2 ZS is a suitable and more powerfull alternative than replacing the whole mother board to solve a audio problem.
I am satisfied with this less expensive problem solver.
Thanks and regards
Gustavo
Excellent card, watch compatibility issues 2008-01-20
I got this card for my laptop, a not very expensive one. If I had known some compatibility issues before installing it, I would have been done installing in 30min. But here is the compatibility issue: Windows Vista. I assume it works perfectly in other OS, but in Vista you need to download the drivers, for which there are two options:
-The official one, from Creative Labs. Most of the advanced settings don't work, lots of error messages (I also got a blue screen while installing).
-Non official: easy to find online, an .iso image with just what you need to have more options and software.
Contras: Doesn't include Surround Mixer, Speaker calibration utility, THX console or Equalizer.
Pros: some other options do work, like EAX console and emulation, also includes game compatibility software. (never got a blue screen while installing)
Personally, I installed this non-official ADAPTED creative drivers version, and I'm really happy with the sound (got it working in 30min) and hopefully getting a 7.1 speaker system soon.
Would I recommend it for vista users?
...get a 100% compatible card if you can. You'll be able to use all the software included.
Would I recommend it for XP users?
ABSOLUTELY. It's THX Certified!
When laptop speakers won't cut it 2007-10-26
I've had this card since it was new to the market because my laptop is all I need as far as computing but those laptop speakers just don't cut it for my music passion. I bought some speakers that just plug into the computer but it just doesn't have the capacity to transmit the sound without error so I decided to buy this card and WOW ! it encodes the music into such a pristine state that I have actually had people compliment the sound of my music as better than the exact same CD they have. If you appreciate sound for music or games this card will complete your life.
Do you need an adapter? 
2007-10-23
I never got to use mine because I was unaware I needed an adapter to use it on my laptop. Be sure to check the specs. The adapter isn't cheap!
Creative PCMCIA Card 2007-09-19
Great sound, fantastic features.I am using it with DVD playback on my Laptop. Eexcellent product.
Great addition to my notebook. 2007-08-07
This card clears the sound right up on my new logitech z-2300's. Easy enough to install, and the audio software is easy to operate.
