Hi need help on 5.1 surround sound through an laptop?

[Fredrik Beckman]

Hi i am planning on selling my PS4 and my gaming computer because of lost interest in game and need of money for my driving license. I am planning on buying a laptop 13 or 15 inch i have not decided on what yet. But the problem is that when i am watching movies from my desktop i use an optical cable to my receiver for sound and a hdmi cable to the tv for the picture. The problem is that my receiver was hit by a lightning strike a few years ago. So the hdmi outports doesnt work. And the only other way to get 5.1 audio from it was to use it the way i use it. Now the question is Can i get 5.1 surround sound from my laptop? Can i buy an external sound card for it? if so can you link a good one? Thanks
Tips for a 13 or 15 inch laptop for school and video/music entertainment is also appreciated. Budget is about 800$.

 

[hang-the-9]

The output jacks on the laptops are stereo, to get 5.1 output you need to get a USB sound card. This is cheap and looks like it will do what you want http/www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Adapter-External-Digital-ICUSBAUDIO7D/dp/B002LM0U2S/ref=zg_bs_3015427011_10

Take a look at this one, decent size SSD, decent video card http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232574