Sound solutions for a budget laptop?

Hi, I've got hold of a passable laptop for uni (pretty basic on features, it'll run itunes and word fine so it fits my requirements) and I'm wondering what the best way to get a good sound out it would be?

Will the onboard sound be good enough get by (I don't demand perfection, you can be the judge of 'acceptable'), or do I need to stick something in it? I have a PCCard slot spare but this laptop is a loaner so I don't want to buy much expensive hardware if I can help it.

I can test headphone sound quality myself pretty easily, as for speakers though the desktop set I have needs 3 different jack sockets which the laptop definitely doesn't have, can I get a cheapish set that'll plug into a USB socket or something?

Thanks for your help,
Oscar.

 

I think Creative still makes a pc/mcia card which will do the job. You will need external speakers.

 

The question is how much you ate willing to spend? There are a myriad of usb soundcard options and creative's pcmcia and express card solutions are probably the best for a laptop sound upgrade.

 

I ordered a set of speakers that will plug into a headphone out port, I'll see how good these sound first then consider buying some add on.

 

They will do fine! I use that for mine.