MacBook speakers and the airport express

[Darcy Burnard]

Hi everyone.  I noticed a lot of people have been talking about the  
lack of quality in the MacBook speakers.  I don't mind them for VO  
myself, but I don't like them for much else.  One thing I got that I  
really like is the airport express with airtunes.  If you've not seen  
it, it's a little box that looks a lot like the MacBook's power  
brick.  In fact, you can use the extension cord for the MacBook on the  
airport express if you want.
Anyway, you can use it as a wireless base station, or have it join an  
existing wireless network.  On the side of the unit, there is an audio  
jack which you can plug in to a stereo or powered set of speakers.   
When in itunes, you can transmit your music wirelessly to the device.   
This is great with a laptop because it means your not tethered to one  
spot.  Also, I like the fact that I have my music and VO coming out of  
different places.
By default, only itunes can send audio to the airtunes.  But you can  
buy a program called airfoil that can stream anything to the airport  
express.  Airfoil is made by Rogue Amoeba, the makers of audio hijack  
pro.
There are a couple of downsides to the airport express.  First and  
foremost, it's not cheap.  It's about $100 if memory serves.  If you  
already have a nice sound system to plug in to, this may be worth your  
while.  Otherwise, it may not.  The other drawback is that it won't  
play ogg files through itunes, even with the quicktime plugin.  If you  
have ogg files, it's easy enough to transcode them however.
Anyway, just thought some of you might be interested in this.  I got  
mine about a week after itunes became accessible, and I consider it  
money well spent.
Darcy