Using a desktop like a laptop (on the couch)

[DanCole42]

All right, I'm looking for thoughts from the collective brain trust on this one. My wife has a laptop, and enjoys playing poker on the couch in the living room while watching TV. I have a desktop, and enjoy more hardcore gaming in the basement. I don't want a laptop, but I would like to be able to sit with my wife on the couch in the living room. That way I can spend as much time playing Warcraft as I want, and she can't complain we never spend time together!

So... what do you gents figure is the best way to accomplish this? I can hide the tower in the corner table, that's easy. Should I get a wireless keyboard and mouse, and use something like a lap desk? Are lap desks any good? Can anyone recommend one? Will they give me the freedom of movement to use a mouse?

The other problems are monitor and sound. I suppose I could just keep an LCD tucked under the coffee table, but when you add in speakers you end up with a lot of very unsightly wires running to the coffee table. Could I get an LCD with build in speakers? Are they any good? Can anyone recommend one?

Does anyone have any insight? How can I use a desktop like a laptop and relax on my couch?

-Dan

 

[wingsofzion]

better just move the wife to the basement. alot cheaper.

 

[MichaelAbbott]

I have a laptop with a broke keyboard and so i gaffa taped the screen to the main base and bought this wireless keyboard:
http://ogeek.com/product_info.php?products_id=97

Works brilliantly by my bed for late night ebaying but i know this isnt really a gamers choice as it really isnt that strong (compared to my G15 lol) and the joystick isnt brill.

 

[jwolf24601]

Get a rolling desk and keep it next to the couch.

 

[MichaelAbbott]

oooh good idea, i made one like that for my laptop and you can attach on a 2.1 surround sound setup (mines drilled on and it works brill)

 

[paq7512]

Just buy a gaming laptop or a cheap laptop. You could probably buy a Dell Vostro for $650 and game with the 8400 it has in it. I mean you are playing Warcraft.

 

[qwertycopter]

better just move the wife to the basement. alot cheaper.

Ahhahaha! Thanks wingsofzion, that was pretty funny!

DanCole42, how much do you want to spend on this? One thing you could do is get a projector and project onto a wall. That, plus a wireless keyboard, mouse, and wireless headphones. That would be a sweet setup! But it would cost you atleast $650. Otherwise, I'd say find some kind of small rolley cart, 17in LCD monitor, and go wireless on the accessories.

 

[locky28]

Not sure how well a wireless keyboard with a trackball would work for WoW but it might be worth considering.

 

[spuddyt]

If a laptop is usable on your lap, then a keyboard should be ok, the only issue is the mouse, and for that you could just get a little table or something

 

[Slippers]

you could get a wireless keyboard, mouse, and headset. then just use your tv as a monitor and put your wife's show on picture and picture. that way she could hear the audio from her show and you could hear and see your game. as for a mouse pad just find one of these lap tables. they are basically pillows with a plastic table on one side.

 

[zenmaster]

Yeah, Right :>
You think his Wife is going to go for the Picture-in-Picture :>>
LOL!!!!

I don't have a better Idea, but I can just picture my wife's reaction.

 

[badge]

All right, I'm looking for thoughts from the collective brain trust on this one. My wife has a laptop, and enjoys playing poker on the couch in the living room while watching TV. I have a desktop, and enjoy more hardcore gaming in the basement. I don't want a laptop, but I would like to be able to sit with my wife on the couch in the living room. That way I can spend as much time playing Warcraft as I want, and she can't complain we never spend time together!

So... what do you gents figure is the best way to accomplish this? I can hide the tower in the corner table, that's easy. Should I get a wireless keyboard and mouse, and use something like a lap desk? Are lap desks any good? Can anyone recommend one? Will they give me the freedom of movement to use a mouse?

The other problems are monitor and sound. I suppose I could just keep an LCD tucked under the coffee table, but when you add in speakers you end up with a lot of very unsightly wires running to the coffee table. Could I get an LCD with build in speakers? Are they any good? Can anyone recommend one?

Does anyone have any insight? How can I use a desktop like a laptop and relax on my couch?

-Dan

That way I can spend as much time playing Warcraft as I want, and she can't complain we never spend time together!

I wouldn't be overly concerned. Stay in the basemant.

 

[nixem]

I have a similar problem, except with my htpc I am about to build.... and this is the best I could figure

http://www.officeorganix.com/images/NEWModel300withbed.jpg

Something called an LCD arm.

I am eventually going to make my own version attached to a moveable platform/roll desk so I can read documents while watch tv. Dont go wireless for gaming.

 

[nixem]

yes no?

 

[13thmonkey]

This might be interesting, it lets you stream your game from one pc (with all of the power), to another for display and control purposes. Yes it'll lag a bit, but given a laptop you could trial it for the price of the software.

http://www.streammygame.com/smg/modules.php?name=About

It sounds like a daft idea I know, but...

 

[13thmonkey]

sorry didn't see the dates on the latest posts.