windows directX compatible audio hardware,ASIO compatible audio hardware,recommended for LOW latency performance. How do I determine if my current system has this or,request it in a new LAPTOP? I'm too lazy to re-type this in my own words:

ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output), developed by Steinberg, is a cross-platform, multi-channel audio transfer protocol that is being adopted by many of the manufacturers of audio/MIDI sequencing applications. It allows software to have access to the multi-channel CAPABILITIES of a wide range of powerful sound cards.

ASIO expands on the basic capabilities of a standard computer sound card, most of which can only provide stereo (two-channel) audio input and output. The ASIO specification defines the interface that manufacturers of professional audio sound cards must use to create an ASIO driver for their hardware. This driver allows the host audio/MIDI application to "see" all of the inputs and outputs available on the sound card. The user can then assign these I/O ports as needed for recording or playback when using an ASIO-compatible software program. This allows the users to record more tracks simultaneously than the previous LIMITATION of two CHANNELS imposed by a standard sound card.

Basically lets you listen/record at the same time, otherwise known as a full duplex sound card.

No idea how to find out though Quote

Basically lets you listen/record at the same time, otherwise known as a full duplex sound card.

Ever thought about using your laptop as a synthesizer or digital effect-box? Did you notice there's some delay related to the computer's sound processing?

The USB ASIO driver is the solution. It enables buffersizes down to 32 samples (0.73 ms) and creates an ultra highspeed USB audio connection, bypassing the operating system's audio.

This does not only give you low latencies, but better sound...

http://www.usb-audio.com/