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 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.
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
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.
- sock off
- mouse on floor
- foot mouse
Trackball!
OG Steam Controller (I have the new one as well, but I’m not a big fan of the ergonomics).
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’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.
Get a lap desk
I have one and ergonomically it sucks. I don’t use that often though. Any recommendations?
Lap desk, book on the coach next to me, but steam deck/steam controller mostly
I just use a fat pillow and put a small mousepad on it if need be.
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.
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
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.
KDE Connect Remote Input for me, but I mostly play mouse games on my desktop.
