Firstly, does the TR have a built-in microphone or simply a port to plug in a mic?

If it does have a built-in mic, is it possible to activate it without having to open the laptop up?  I suppose this would be similar to a pda’s voice recording function…

My manual says the little circular indentation in the lower right of the right palm rest is the built-in microphone. It probably couldn’t pick up sound very well if the machine was closed. 

Hmm, that’s true, but even when my Clie mic is covered by a case, it can pick up sounds really well.

How do you activate the mic on the TR?  Is it just like a regular pc wherein it’s activated by the software or can you flick a switch to turn it on?

I just use the Sound Recorder application, I haven’t found another way to activate it with what comes on the TR.