OH MY GOD --- YESSSS! I am now DUAL LOG capable on my Laptop!!!!
I traced down the only discernible difference between my desktop and my laptop: the desktop has been an AC gaming platform for a while and included just about every version of AC DualClient. On a lark, I installed the 7.1.4 version of AC Dual (which doesn't work with current game) and clicked "Update". The result -- immediately following the upgrade to 7.2.2 this way my system supports Dual Log.
Drak, maybe something for the boards here. I truly appreciate all the help and honestly, I'm just glad I can play the game again on the road to the many "non exotic" locations that business dictates.
Thanks again to everyone that has replied and maybe can find some assistance here to work through the misery of "single log only"!