I had posted the spec brochure information earlier because I wasn't sure how the sound would be -- anticipation was killing me!
I just started using AudioSync (on CaseCatalyst) this past summer, and have been using it on my Dell that I've had since 2003. While the audio was there, in order for me to even remotely hear it, I had to put on headphones to make out the words, espeially if they were not right on the witness stand. I had been using the microphone that came with Stenograph's AS kit.
So, low and behold, I got my new laptop this afternoon at 4:05 (I'm supposed to leave work at 4:30) after I pestered and pestered and got the court administrator to go down and tell them they had to get it to me ASAP instead of waiting for the other reporters' USB security devices to be approved for purchase (I've had my USB dongle key since last year when my 25-pin port went out on my laptop). I stuck around until about 5 to test out the audio. BTW, the new laptop is a Dell Latitude D830, with XP Professional SP2 (downgraded from Vista at the request of our IT person).
First, I tested it with the microphone that came with the "kit" that Stenograph sells.
I got absolutely no response back, no audio coming through. The green audio lights on the realtime screen barely moved. Ruh-roh. 
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So, then I pull out my brand new Sound Professionals USB court microphone
It works pretty good. The "audio" meter on the realtime screen was about mid-way up. Picked up decently with my voice in a regular tone, and was manageable with a whisper. 
However, I could not play back the audio on the laptop's speakers unless I ejected the USB mike and took it out of the port (removing it from existance on the computer's device manager).
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So I figure, what the heck, I'll test the laptop's built-in microphone.
OMG...THE SOUND IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAD NO IDEA AUDIOSYNC COULD BE THIS CLEAR! Sorry to be shouting, but wow.
The audio meter on the realtime screen was all the way up into the yellow and red! It played back my screams (yes, I was alone in the courthouse because it was after hours by that time...LOL) and it picked up my whisper as well!
So, all my worrying was for nothing. Both the built-in sound card and microphone of this computer are top-notch.
And the best thing is I don't have to worry about "hiding" any kind of mike. I don't want anyone knowing that I'm using AS (we fight a big enough battle) unless I have to. If it comes down to arguing about how great ER is compared to a stenographic court reporter, then and only then will I announce that "Wait a minute. Not only can I produce an instantaneous written transcript, I can also sync it to audio. ER/DR cannot do that at this time, therefore, I am one step ahead."
Anyway, I just wanted to update on my fears. They were totally un-rational and I'm so thankful for that! 
BTW.......is it a good thing the audio meter is going into the yellow and red, or should I turn down the recording volume a notch?
Sarah E. Nageotte, RMR, CRR, CBC
-Official Court Reporter
-CaseCATalyst