I’m not a gamer, but I like some casul games from time to time, like Timberborn or Shapez. Yesterday I wanted to start a game again, after a period of not gaming since february or so. I’ve been getting used to sitting in my comfy chair in the evening, doing some programming or some online ciurse. I would like to game in my comfy chair as well, instead of sitting behind my desk where I’ve been working all day. But games demand much more intense mouse usage. A mouse does not work very well on an armrest. Have any of you solved that problem?
Lapdesk
I use my PC in the living room more than my office desktop these days so I’ve bought a bunch of shit.
So you’ll spot the usual Logitech K400 Plus on my couch because it’s the only available option for a trackpad wireless keyboard combo unit with physical left/right mouse buttons. Then I also use a separate wireless mouse, which works just fine on my couch arm fabric as is for regular browsing. K400 Plus is not backlit and it’s creaky af, but the “competition” is tragically worse.
Generally I’ll opt to use controllers for games, but sometimes I need a proper mouse+kb so I bought a cushioned wood lap desk and a better mechanical keyboard and then I reuse the mouse with it. Most recently Minecraft Eternal 2.
i use an old one (the blue accented one) of those keyboards as my ‘remote control’ when i’m watching on the ‘tv’. works pretty well for that… running a media player and web streaming. i did try doing actual ‘work’ with it once, but i had to connect a different keyboard to do any serious typing.
Same here with the trackpad kb. Originally my weaker computer was living room just for using Stremio with Debrid. It’s pretty crap for any serious work yep lol.
There are so very many devices geared towards this issue. I don’t think I have anything to add to comments lready here except that you should try a few of the optuons if possible and see what vibes best with you and your specific setup.
You may find that a different mouse will work better. For instance, I have an MX Master 3 that won’t register movement at all on my couch. Meanwhile a cheap little $15 mouse reads just fine.
Unrelated, I miss my MX Master 2. The wheel was so much better.
You can use a ducky mini 2 (60%) (three levels of keys/macros and mouse function); but really just use a controller. Or just get $1200 Steelcase chair and get the mouse pad addition. Also you can get a laptop stand for like $40 and use that, as in they can slide under your chair and give you platform to put your mouse and drinks on.
Not much of a PC gamer, but I have had a need to use a mouse without a desk. I swear by trackball mice. Personally I’ve been happy with the wireless Logitech trackball offerings, particularly the one with Bluetooth and a dongle you can tuck away into the mouse. Even at a regular desk, doing CAD work all day, it has saved my shoulder and wrist from stress and pain. I can basically sit in a relaxed neutral position and use my mouse wherever my hand falls, like on an arm rest. It may take some adjustment learning to use your thumb to navigate around, but for me it has been worth it.
OG Steam Controller (I have the new one as well, but I’m not a big fan of the ergonomics).
Regular mouse and keyboard but on a lapboard with powered USB extension back to my PC.
Mine’s an older, RGB-less (thankfully) version similar to this:
https://us.nerdytec.com/collections/couchmaster®/products/couchmaster-lapboard3-gaming-lapdesk
Trackball!
- sock off
- mouse on floor
- foot mouse
The Steam Controller with its two trackpads and gyroscope paired up with Steam Input which lets you configure the controller (even non-Steam controllers) very granularly to your liking.
For shooters the best setup for me is to use the right stick for broad aiming and the gyro for precision.
For strategy and management games I use the right trackpad as a mouse and the left trackpad for hotkeys. In StarCraft I set up the left trackpad to be contained to the area on the screen where the selected unit’s functions are displayed. Not good enough for multiplayer, but good enough for casual play.
I’m KBM at my desk, but controller on the couch.
If you insist on mousing, you’re going to have to engineer yourself a stable flat surface. Options really depend on available anchor points and how permanent you want it, but start with a board and figure out how to to attach it, screws, clamps, dowels, zip ties, extra-strength velcro-strips…
If it’s a couch upholstered arm rest, make it a table with the leg going to the floor on one side, and between the cushions on the other.
Worse case scenario, ditch the armrests and just put the board on your lap.
Edit: maybe thumb (trackball) mouse or trackpad.
Trackball mouse, either wired or wireless. No need to move the mouse at all besdes to get it into a comfortable position.
Only thing you really gotta worry about from there is occasionally removing the ball and cleaning where it rests from gunk that builds up and causes friction.
I love trackballs, and I wish there was a bigger market for gaming trackball mice.
I personally wouldn’t have much of a use for gaming trackball mice, but I would absolutely buy one. Imagine a trackball that has a ball that rolls smooth as butter. Pure heaven!
Check out the Elecom Huge! I think there’s a more premium model of it that has extra-smooth rollers, but I’ve got the base version and it’s smooth enough for general use. I can’t really use it for aiming in FPS games because it jitters a bit no matter what DPI setting I use (maybe something else the premium model fixes, as well), but the shape and button positions are spectacular for most other use, IMO.
I’ll keep that in mind. My current Elecom was a good purchase, so it’ll probably be a few years before I switch, but definitely gonna keep it in mind.
You also have to make sure the cat doesn’t knock it down, sending the loose trackball to the lowest corner of the living room floor.
As someone without cats, or dogs that’ll disturb me too much, I’m grateful I don’t have that problem.
Switch 2, pro controller, lying relaxed on the couch, resting hands with controller in my lap. I can comfortably keep this position for hours.
You will never make me sit at a desk and screen to relax. It’d be a contradiction in itself.
I just use a fat pillow and put a small mousepad on it if need be.
