[realguess]

I have an old headphone that is plugging to the microphone socket of my laptop. So, one down, many more to go. Have not figure out a way to deal with microphone in mobile devices. Suggestions?

[maaku]

Uh, wouldn't this be more likely to get a signal? An (analog) headphone is a sort-of, piss-poor microphone in reverse, whereas a naked port doesn't magically pick up sounds from the ether...

[ricardobeat]

By connecting something to the port you disable the internal mic. Just use a torn cable, or a headphone with missing or broken speakers.

[realguess]

There are usually two microphones in laptop, plug in one disables the other. I should say two down, more to go.

[eloisius]

I can't find a source but I remember something on HN a while back about this not being the case with new MBPs. The input device is software-controlled now. If you care to search for it, it had to do with laptop security guidelines for employees of some government agency.