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?
Steam controller
Steam controller.
The trackpads are great and weirdly make a decent keyboard too.
I use a large sketchbook as a mousepad. The sketchbook sits on a pillow to lift it to the appropriate height. Works great.
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.
- sock off
- mouse on floor
- foot mouse
KDE Connect Remote Input for me, but I mostly play mouse games on my desktop.
touchpad and thumb trackball are what I use.
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.
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.
Get a lap desk
Logitech Ball mouse. You move the ball with your thumb and your hand stays still. Takes a little getting used to.
That’s a trackball. A ball mouse is a regular mouse from 30 years ago.
Exactly, trackball, lol
When I read ball mouse I almost had a stroke, those things needed constant maintenance.
This probably isn’t what you’re talking about, but I miss the old Trackman Marble mice. I had a Trackman Marble FX that I used for years until I finally upgraded to USB.
Unfortunately I found that taxing on my thumb over time. What I use instead in those situations is a proper trackball, with fingers controlling the ball and thumb on buttons.
I got a Ploopy Adept almost a year ago now and it has quickly become my main mouse. I love that thing. Only problem is lack of feedback when scrolling makes some games where you have to scroll to select things, like Minecraft, a teensy bit more annoying
I have a Kensington trackball with scroll ring. Yours is probably way better for gaming (dig all the buttons), but as a person with early arthritis, I love how easy this is on the hand, and the scroll ring is just awesome for fine adjustments and webpage browsing, both.
https://www.google.com/search?q=kensington+trackball+with+scroll+ring&udm=2
I’m sure there’s better stuff out there, but it’s been years since I was collecting trackballs. (and the Logitech stuff was generally disappointing from back in the day)
Mostly a Steam controller. It works in almost every application or game.
I’ve also got a trackball for the few cases where the controller doesn’t work. I don’t use it very often because I don’t think there’s a comfortable way to use it on the couch without using a lapdesk or something.
I use a logitech K400 and a bluetooth xbox or ps4 controller on the couch. Any game that needs intensive mouse usage gets played at a desk.
I got a “CouchMaster” desk thing for working from home. Works pretty well. It’s hard to setup an ergonomic couch though. It was very expensive for what it is though
