Some interesting data we're getting from analysis of what the Wyrd does for digital audio:

1. Windows and Linux laptops send data in an entirely different way from Mac laptops--typically sending data on one out of every 8 packets (yes, we are not crazy--we have confirmed this on over a dozen systems, from XP to 8. Whether or not this matters in terms of SQ, well, hey...but it could help explain why Windows sounds different.

2. There's some pretty significant differences between the jitter on the received packets between various systems, ranging from rock-steady, to more than 10nS difference between the start time of the packets. Again, should not matter, but there you go.

3. There are VERY significant differences between the packet formatting on many Mac systems, dependent on whether or not the processor is busy, and the age of the system. Systems with bad formatting are more typically newer Macs. Again, shouldn't matter.

What we're using now for shows are the Lenovo Miix 8 tablet and the HP Stream 7 tablet, running as JRiver clients to a media server with all of the music in place. No significant differences can be found between local files and as a client in terms of USB packet formatting. The Stream 7 is an insanely cheap option, available for $99 on the Microsoft store--and as a "signature" product, also without bloatware/begware/bullshitware of any kind. Battery life is kinda ass though.

Dave and I have discussed a USB reformatting product, but this is pretty scary and complex, encompassing an embedded system such as Linux and some very low-level programming we'd prefer to avoid. But it would be an interesting product, to see if there are any differences between formatting.

For situations where a W8 tablet doesn't have enough power on the USB port to run certain source components, would the Wyrd take care of that? I had the assumption it would but wanted to double check.

ok but doesn't that contribute to some lag? Or does all of this happen very comfortably within what the usb standard can do? I mean if it takes more data to transfer one whole song with a windows machine in the same amount of time as the mac since 7/8 that pass through are not part of the music,,, Is there a chance that it can miss some of that data if the throughput is not fast enough?

The first guy on cl screwed me over cause he told me his wife sold it to the neighbor. But luckily another I messaged as well locally had it ready for pick up at his shop but wanted 200 for it but that was fine for me cause specs this hp8440p has way better specs than what you still could get anywhere else if you were shopping at stores.

Has fresh install of Windows 7 pro 64-bit and worked perfect till I tried the headphone jack. Wasn't working..... thought this guy screwed me over too but looking online this is common issue with the software drivers. Found work around by uninstalling the current drivers and installing the 8740w drivers, restarted and works perfectly now. FireWire port works perfectly too.

The headphone jack wouldn't been big deal to me in the first place but when im out or my g/f is using my computer or playing the game(yea...she's a gamer.im not) I would like to listen to my headphones on it. Sound not that bad either so it's tolerable.

Well, happy with it. It's in great condition,  made of tough aluminum, runs super cool and fast...well to me it is. Has enough ram and processing power if I ever dowload fl studio or cubase on in the near future. Work fine too for simple gaming like snes emulators and so forth if I ever feel like playing games.

Just glad to finally get a pretty good laptop and replace my ancient Toshiba.