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Gaming Notebooks: The Full Story

Author	Stuart Andrews
Published	22nd Mar 2007

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A beefy notebook is only the foundation of a gaming system, however, and to really make things work took a few accessories. The first thing you’ll need is a decent mouse. Even strategy games and RPGs are virtually unplayable with a touchpad, and – frankly – I don’t even like to think how you’d fare in competitive Counter-Strike. Now, despite all the hype surrounding specialist gaming mice, even a basic Logitech or Microsoft optical model will stand you in pretty good stead for gaming, but for added comfort and precision a high-resolution laser mouse is a wise investment.

Logitech was kind enough to send us its VX revolution cordless notebook laser mouse – a lightweight model noticeably smaller than the average desktop rodent, with an RF USB transmitter that neatly hides away inside the mouse when not in use. It’s extremely comfortable, highly configurable and very responsive but – at around £45 to buy – also a bit of a luxury. Logitech’s MX400 or MX518 (both available for under £25) or Microsoft’s Wireless Notebook Optical mouse or Laser Gaming Mouse 6000 (both around £20) offer high resolutions and ergonomic comfort for less. Meanwhile, I was pleasantly surprised by the Genius Ergo 525 laser mouse, a bargain gaming mouse (around £25) with a 2000dpi resolution and a solid, comfortable feel.

If you feel – as I did – a little cramped playing games on a notebook keyboard, then the answer might be a plug-in gaming keyboard or keypad. I tried the Genius ErgoMedia 500, but remained unconvinced: the button layout and lack of a proper sized spacebar don’t actually make it any more intuitive than the notebook keyboard it augments. Meanwhile, its habit of hijacking the audio from alternative audio systems for its own inputs and outputs was also slightly galling, if easily reversed.

I was unconvinced by Genius ErgoMedia 500.

Gaming keyboards from the likes of Z-Board or Logitech are more effective, but also more expensive, and I’d be tempted to either a) get used to your notebook keyboard or b) buy a cheaper standard design USB keyboard and plug that in instead. If you want something that fits between the two stools, you can buy Saitek’s Entry-Level Gaming Keyboard for around £16. Bear in mind, however, that a plug-in keyboard instantly makes your notebook less portable, thus losing you some of the advantage of having one.