Question about single audio interface for mic+headphones combo.

[LionKilla44]

I produce music and one of the biggest things for me, is I use 3.5mm input for my mic on the laptop and also 3.5 mm output to headphones and speakers. If you haven't seen my other posts, I am in the market for a new laptop and it seems like every awesome option i've found only has the combo port.

Such as:
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314680&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=7930973&SID=

and

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232753&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=7930973&SID=

So how could I make that work? If I use a 3.5 mm jack splitter (which people say works for dual jack headsets) will that decrease the audio quality? and how would it be separated on the machine itself? (choosing audio outputs and inputs on windows 10)

 

[Solandri]

The combo headphone/microphone jacks are electrically identical to separate headphone and microphone jacks. All they do is add a 4th section to the jack (in addition to L, R, and ground) for the microphone signal. There is no mixing of signals going on, it just has 4 wires inside instead of 3 like a headphone jack or 1 like a microphone jack (well, 2 if you include ground which the headphone portion already has). Assuming the laptop and splitter are well-constructed, it will not decrease audio quality.
http/encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/TRS+connector

Edit: All analog inputs will pick up some cross-feed as RF noise. If you're serious about mixing music, you will want to switch to a USB mixer at some point. That will keep the different audio signals separate as digital signals, as well as allow you to plug in shielded cables, instead of the unshielded cables used with 3.5mm jacks.