# Why isn't my notebook headset generating audio input?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-my-notebook-headset-generating-audio-input/548054>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 26, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-my-notebook-headset-generating-audio-input/548054 "2010-07-26T15:08:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-my-notebook-headset-generating-audio-input/548054/1 "2010-07-26T15:08:19Z")

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I have a Logitech Premium Notebook Headset. I plugged it into my Macbook, the headset plug into the headset outlet and the microphone plug into the only one available, right next to the headset outlet.

But it’s not picking up my voice. I wonder whether I’m doing something wrong. I only get audio input when I switch to “internal microphone.”

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-my-notebook-headset-generating-audio-input/548054/2 "2010-07-26T22:02:08Z")

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I believe modern Macs come with unpowered mic ports, meaning they’re only good for line-in audio (like from an iPod or something), not PC mics.

You need to use a USB port instead. Your headset should’ve come an adapter (at least according to the Logitech website).

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**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-my-notebook-headset-generating-audio-input/548054/3 "2010-07-26T22:52:35Z")

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Ah. Thanks for that. It does have an adapter for USB, but I couldn’t get it to work. I’ll have to play around with it a bit more I guess.