Creative Extigy

There's an old joke in computing circles: what's the best way to upgrade a notebook computer? Buy a new one.

Portability always involves compromises, and with compacted computers the ability to later improve their specifications is often the first casualty of any size reduction.

That's where Creative hopes to find a niche for its Extigy, a high-kicking audio add-on aimed primarily at those interested in notebook enhancement.

The manufacturer has dubbed the Extigy an 'external sound card', which fails to do the product full justice. Yes, the Extigy is an external sound card in the sense that it connects to a PC via USB and bestows upgraded audio output on the host, but it's capable of a lot more.

Both the front and back panels are festooned with controls and connectors. On its hindquarters sit most modern audio sockets, including SP/DIF, MIDI-in and -out DINs and digital-out. There are a few more sockets and corresponding controls on the front.

The reason for all this connectivity is that, as well as acting the soprano to otherwise tone-deaf notebook PCs, the Extigy can be connected to all manner of home entertainment devices.

Hook it up to a DVD player, for instance, and the Extigy becomes a Dolby Digital decoder with 5.1-speaker surround-sound output.

Of course, the Extigy can perform the same trick when connected to a notebook PC, but we can't help wondering quite how many portable computer owners crave such a facility.

Carrying a surround-sound speaker set along with a notebook obviously isn't going to become popular, so Creative's latest offering is really for those users who want a better audio experience at home.

The Extigy is undoubtedly a fantastic piece of equipment, but whether notebook owners will be lining up to buy one, only Creative sales figures can reveal.

Price: £149.99 (inc. VAT)

Specifications:

• Built-in Dolby Digital decoder
• Remote control handset
• Can be used with notebook or desktop computers, DVD players and games consoles
• Broad line-up of audio input and output sockets

Contact: Creative 0118 934 4322
www.europe.creative.com

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Creative Extigy

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