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?
I’m not much of a power user on the living room PC but I use a handheld keyboard and touchpad mouse combo with rechargeable AAA batteries like this one for regular browsing.
I have a lap desk similar to the one below. Easy to pick up or put aside as needed.
Edit: You should also consider tackball mice. They are great in limited spaces.
Steam controller.
The trackpads are great and weirdly make a decent keyboard too.
Does it work like the steamdeck?
Yes it’s basically a steam deck minus screen with a few extra bits. But the trackpad and Steam input and on screen keyboard are all the same as Steam deck
i usually use a thinkpad on the couch and it has a trackpoint.
OG Steam Controller (I have the new one as well, but I’m not a big fan of the ergonomics).
the top of my coffee table lifts up so it works like a desk. I’ve also used a table next to my recliner if I wanted to relax.
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.
You can use a trackball. Not great for FPS games but good enough for casual games.
Trackball!
I didn’t see anyone else mention mine: gyroscopic mouse. It’s basically a Wiimote connected via USB dingle. It’s good for strategy games. I’m not big on FPS, but I imagine it’s doable.
At a friend’s house we had a thin mouse surface sheet stuck to the front cover of a Warhammer 40k 6th Edition Rulebook.
You could also take inspiration from Timberborn and chew one out of wood yourself.
Lapdesk
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.
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)
I considered that one, as well. I really liked the scroll ring, but opted for the Ploopy for more buttons. The top ones are not particularly convenient to reach all the time, but are definitely necessary. Just wish someone would make a decent trackball with a clicky scroll wheel and multiple buttons!
In any case, I can understand the undeniable, magnetic attraction of the word “Ploopy!” :D
I use a large sketchbook as a mousepad. The sketchbook sits on a pillow to lift it to the appropriate height. Works great.
i used to have a lap desk attached to the top of a beanbag-like pillow. same type of thing my mom and grandma would use to do crafts and stuff while they watched their ‘stories’ (soaps).
