Had always the problem that my headphones were not recognized correctly on my laptop or from the headset microphone was not working. That was a problem where I needed this function for VoIP calls business especially in Citrix sessions. From a colleague I got the tip for the SoundBlaster. Did they even directly ordered, the function is the purchase until today no regrets both Windows 7 / Windows 8 and Mac OS 10 properly and I did.