Intervention time. I think the is being blown way out of proportion. I'm no audio engineer but I am a musician and a hardware nut. 90% of the time AC '97 is adequate. This isn't true for pc speakers which are almost always crap but in a situation where you have onboard sound and headphones or a stereo with amp then it should be fine. I would only recommend a dedicated sound card if. You are a huge audiophile, you do audio work (FL studio, etc) or the pc is used for media center purposes. But an office use pc doesn't need a dedicated card and it doesn't need a stereo system. Your putting money in the wrong place. An office pc's life is productivity. I don't know how 7.1 channel sound helps you with that unless you are an audio engineer.
Also what's the point in pushing a very capable sound system onto someone who may not know or need "good sound". To someone who doesn't know better that seems like a huge waste of money. I would argue not buy the technically best system, but to recommend what sounds best to the owner. After all it their money and their satisfaction is what is important. If they like distorted unbalanced sound, then they should buy what makes that. Sound is subjective therefore people should buy to what they perceive as good. That's my thoughts anyway.