<snip> I suggest an inexpensive USB audio device instead. <snip>
Thanks for responding. I feel as if I'm in a canoe for the first time trying to figure out which is the front end.
Is this what you mean? I googled "USB audio device" and got this:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/make-the-most-out-of-your-computers-usb-audio-port/I may have misled Pipeline a bit. I'm not just looking at the cheapest way to get sound out of my laptop although I'll definitely try his suggestion. I guess I'm asking for ideas for a blueprint to start a basic music studio, with the flexibility to add in a midi keyboard and microphone later. I had in mind something like an electrical wiring diagram showing me the components I needed to do so. Does that make sense? Alternatively, if anyone has links to basic tutorials on audio setup I could start there too.
Aye,
Genghis