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Building a lap desk for couch pc gaming
- Thread starter bro1
- Start date
GraveRobberX
Platinum Trophy: Learned to Shit While Upright Again.
I just recently purchased this from amazon
Click Picture if you want to get further info
Click Picture if you want to get further info
I just recently purchased this from amazon
Click Picture if you to go further info
I feel like thats only enough room for half a keyboard and half a mousepad.
Jaded Alyx
Member
Why would I want to play, say, a strategy game, or an MMO, or hell, an FPS with a controller when I have a mouse and keyboard?
LowEndTorque
Member
Good luck.
KB+M just aren't meant to be used from a sofa. I'v tried various ideas and hated them all, but more power to you if you can figure out a solution you like.
KB+M just aren't meant to be used from a sofa. I'v tried various ideas and hated them all, but more power to you if you can figure out a solution you like.
Angel Abaddon
Member
I had that exact issue after buying an IKEA DAVE which everyone said was perfect for couch KB/m. I have been looking at http://www.couchmaster.com/en, I think it would be perfect for games that are more suited to KB/m. If you're wanting sizing guides for a diy one, they're further down the main page.
36"x24" would be definitely be big enough, perhaps a little too big. What keyboard and mouse are you planning on using?
Not ideal for all games, and some people just prefer KB/M.
Not ideal for all games, and some people just prefer KB/M.
YouEnjoyMySelf
Banned
A.) It's a crappy controller
B.) Most PC games are designed for KB+M
Thanks for playing.
Why does everyone keep bringing this up in PC game threads? WE LOVE OUR KEYBOARDS AND MOUSESES!
Arkos
Nose how to spell and rede to
I've been doing comfy couch PC gaming for a few months now and really enjoy it. I use this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00120818/
It works pretty well. For extended M/KB use I have a couple pillows I rest my elbows on. Though I've been heavily favoring controller friendly games I did manage to play through all of Bioshock Infinite with M/KB.
My biggest problem is that is that I have a hard time reading default text size at 1080p on a 42" screen sitting about 8 feet away. So any games with heavy UI interaction aren't really an option for me.
Edit: whoops, I see the Dave was already mentioned. Yeah, it's a bit cramped - having a compact keyboard helps. Plus I use fairly high mouse sensitivity so I don't need a big mousing area. YMMV.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00120818/
It works pretty well. For extended M/KB use I have a couple pillows I rest my elbows on. Though I've been heavily favoring controller friendly games I did manage to play through all of Bioshock Infinite with M/KB.
My biggest problem is that is that I have a hard time reading default text size at 1080p on a 42" screen sitting about 8 feet away. So any games with heavy UI interaction aren't really an option for me.
Edit: whoops, I see the Dave was already mentioned. Yeah, it's a bit cramped - having a compact keyboard helps. Plus I use fairly high mouse sensitivity so I don't need a big mousing area. YMMV.
Angel Abaddon
Member
As said above, I found the DAVE to be too small for a full size keyboard and mouse to sit on comfortably, but if you can get a keyboard without a numpad it may work out. Otherwise, it is a decent option for sofa KB/m, but I'd still personally like to get my hands on one of those Couchmasters.
Edit: just saw vermadas' edit, I'll leave this as the info on size possibilities is still useful.
That Couchmaster looks pretty handy, shouldn't be too difficult to DIY one using that picture.
Also, the guy on that page looks like he's about to DJ, not play games.
TheChewyWaffles
Member
I do too, but not from my couch. It has never been comfortable for me. I've tried lap desks, I've tried trackball on the arm rest, I've never gotten it to work comfortably. I just end up going back to controllers and just not playing mouse strategy games while couching it.
Because kicking it in a comfortable couch is sometimes way better than sitting at a desk. I have my PC plugged into my 52 inch TV right now, and It's awesome.
Few things i've come across doing the couch PC gaming...
- The only thing that will really satisfy your needs is an adequate sized desk, basically trying to replicate as close as possible to gaming with a monitor on a desk.
- Seating is a big factor. If you are using a big ass couch, finding a table and or lap desk will be difficult. Not just from a logistics point of view, but ease of use degrades the bigger your seating arrangement. Single type chairs, like recliners and such, work best.
- In the event you do end up using a lap desk, make sure you have something to hold and or tie the mouse cord onto it. Having to constantly pull on a dangling mouse cable when moving the mouse really degrades the experience.
To be honest, the hassle of PC gaming on the couch with a M+KB have stopped me from doing it. I just use an Xbox controller when i want to game on the couch. I did at one point have a set up that involved a fullsized desk where i mounted the TV on the wall, replicating the monitor feel, and that worked best. Only problem is, when using the desk i had to use a typical office chair... so i quickly changed it back to what i have going on now.
Good luck OP and hope you find a solution that works for you!
- The only thing that will really satisfy your needs is an adequate sized desk, basically trying to replicate as close as possible to gaming with a monitor on a desk.
- Seating is a big factor. If you are using a big ass couch, finding a table and or lap desk will be difficult. Not just from a logistics point of view, but ease of use degrades the bigger your seating arrangement. Single type chairs, like recliners and such, work best.
- In the event you do end up using a lap desk, make sure you have something to hold and or tie the mouse cord onto it. Having to constantly pull on a dangling mouse cable when moving the mouse really degrades the experience.
To be honest, the hassle of PC gaming on the couch with a M+KB have stopped me from doing it. I just use an Xbox controller when i want to game on the couch. I did at one point have a set up that involved a fullsized desk where i mounted the TV on the wall, replicating the monitor feel, and that worked best. Only problem is, when using the desk i had to use a typical office chair... so i quickly changed it back to what i have going on now.
Good luck OP and hope you find a solution that works for you!
I've always been curious about those mini keyboard peripherals that are designed around MMOs
I know that particular thing wouldn't work cause it's right hand only but I believe there are simpler ones that looks more like the left half of a keyboard, I imagine a device like that would be a lot more comfortable and balance better on your lap with a mouse
I know that particular thing wouldn't work cause it's right hand only but I believe there are simpler ones that looks more like the left half of a keyboard, I imagine a device like that would be a lot more comfortable and balance better on your lap with a mouse
A lift top coffee table? I've never tried it, nor does it look the most comfortable, but it might be an option. Guess it also depends on what type of seating arrangement you have.
Sorry, I guess it's a little off topic since you were looking for lap desk ideas and not alternative solutions.
Sorry, I guess it's a little off topic since you were looking for lap desk ideas and not alternative solutions.
Cannon Goose
Member
I used a piece wood that I sanded a bit for a while which wasn't too bad. Unfortunately my wireless mouse started being a piece of junk so I haven't done any couch gaming with a mouse and keyboard since then. I would love to get back to it; playing the Last of Us on PS3 made me realise how much I missed surround sound.
KaiserBecks
Member
I don't really get that either. Instead of building semi-functional mini-desks, people who want to play PC games comfortably should just consider getting a nice chair.
Because its like playing a console with better image quality and better controls. My htpc doubles as my main gaming machine. It's a win win in every conceivable manner. You just have to find a way to make it comfortable on the couch. I have - with a lap board from wal Mart.
I also have a 360 controller and a ps3 controller for stuff like driving games and sports games, but it's an inferior solution for anything that requires a pointer or any sort of precision.
KaiserBecks
Member
I see. I personally prefer a monitor for gaming, but If you're using a htpc than it's near your HDTV anyway. Maybe the Couchmaster is something for you. It's overpriced (this is just the basic version), but maybe it serves as an inspiration to build something similar.
You want somewhere to put your elbows. Without that, your wrists get tired and sore. You want a Couchmaster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu99zYnNBU
The whole "single piece of wood" idea is also bad for stability. That thing will be toppling to and fro like a seesaw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu99zYnNBU
The whole "single piece of wood" idea is also bad for stability. That thing will be toppling to and fro like a seesaw.
fluffydelusions
Member
I have a "gaming" laptop that I can sit on the couch with if I want to
55" screen, SVS and HSU sub, etc.
I don't do PC gaming from the couch but if I were to try it I'd definitely want some good way of using a keyboard and mouse setup. If I want to play any first/third person shooter and my only choice is to use a gamepad I'd rather not bother at all.
The Cowboy
Member
You want somewhere to put your elbows. Without that, your wrists get tired and sore. You want a Couchmaster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu99zYnNBU
Very interesting, shame about its price though - for the materials used its very overpriced (to be expected though for such a niche product).
I'm gonna look into maybe making one myself.
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Currently I use an Enermax Aurora Wireless for couch surfing etc and a Wireless 360 pad for gaming (with Xpadder for games that need it), I also have a board that's around 60cm long and 25cm wide with a func1030 attached on one side for the mouse and have a small Meka keyboard beside it (smaller form factor keyboard) - I use this when playing Guild Wars 2/Dota 2 etc (as these don't map to a pad all that well).
The Cowboy
Member
A quick and dirty paint of how my setup is put together (using a 60x25cm shelf).
The great thing about this is, its so low profile it can slide under the sofa when not in use or for a low Sofa it can be put onto a shelf. And the cost for such an amazing setup such as this? - about £5 for a 60x25cm wooden shelf (got mine from Wilkinson's) and £1 for some grippy tape/sticky back plastic for underneath.
The great thing about this is, its so low profile it can slide under the sofa when not in use or for a low Sofa it can be put onto a shelf. And the cost for such an amazing setup such as this? - about £5 for a 60x25cm wooden shelf (got mine from Wilkinson's) and £1 for some grippy tape/sticky back plastic for underneath.
You want somewhere to put your elbows. Without that, your wrists get tired and sore. You want a Couchmaster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu99zYnNBU
The whole "single piece of wood" idea is also bad for stability. That thing will be toppling to and fro like a seesaw.
Sorry to play this card, but I personally would be fucking embarrassed owning this.
I have a nice living room and I can only imagine how fucking stupid I would look in this fucking teletubbie command-center, playing some games.
I'll pass.
if you want something look "nice" for the room get a Phantom lapboard (yeah I recommend this a lot in every "couch pc" thread) .
Because some of us prefer M/KB with FPS, RTS, MMO, ARPG etc. games. And not all games support the controller.
I use a laptop stand like this
Currently i have a wired M/KB, wired 360 controller and steering wheel. All work perfect.
As for mouse pad i use a Razer laptop pad i bought from Best Buy, it rolls out and fits perfectly on my stand. The stand works perfect for my big bulky mechanical razer keyboard and mouse and my steering wheel. One day i will find a good wireless mouse/keyboard and a wireless lap desk like this
They have a slightly more expensive microfibre version that actually looks OK.
This is why i am glad i don't give a shit what people think.
Already locked in with the boyfriend and will be married soon so i don't have to worry about embarrassing myself with him. ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE.
rudieboy77
Member
It is interesting that games still use inputs that are 30 years old. Even more interesting that folks do not see this as an issue.
I don't really get why people would rather sit in a room hunched over a desk playing on a 20-30" monitor.
Some of us would rather lounge back on our sofa and play on our 50"+ TV.
diffusionx
Gold Member
Or, you know, you could just put it in the closet when you're not using it.
I have a cheap LapDesk I got from Amazon but I want this thing. It looks awesome.
PoweredBySoy
Banned
You're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Leave the couch to controllers.