Gaming in the living room

[jliedeka]

Currently I have an Xbox 360 hooked up to my TV and surround system. I have a two year old 17" Alienware laptop for PC games. What I really want to do is play PC games using my TV and SS.

The nice thing about consoles is the controller is pretty convenient to use while lounging on the couch. My question is, what's a good keyboard mouse solution for me?

I know you can get wireless keyboards and mice. If I get a gaming box, it would be 6-8 feet away. Is that a reasonable range?

I would also be interested in recommendations for specific models of keyboards/mice, lap desk solutions for the mouse, and reasonable quiet PCs that can handle 1080p with good frame rates.

Jim

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Gaming controllers for the living room, but I doubt keyboard/mouse is a good combo for the couch gaming. I would recommend some sort of usb controller, not unlike xbox has, but built for pc.
I think that tou could actually use same 360 wired controller with special software.

As for gaming pc rec, Toms hardware does a good darn job every quarter:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-budget-gaming-pc,4021.html

I guess you could re-use same Alienware lap (especially easy if it has hdmi out)

 

[slipperybidness]

Yup, you can use a wired usb XBOX 360 controller on a PC.

You can also purchase a usb dongle reciever for PC that lets you use the wireless xbox 360 controllers too.
http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Gaming-Receiver-Microsoft-Xbox/dp/B0076GC9KU/ref=sr_1_4?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1422480550&sr=1-4&keywords=pc+xbox+wireless+receiver

My tower PC is in my living room.

I prefer a trackball so that I don't have to look for a surface on the couch or coffee table to use the mouse. It might be unsuitable for gaming, but general surfing and choosing music, it's perfect for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-910-001799-M570-Wireless-Trackball/dp/B0043T7FXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422480614&sr=8-1&keywords=wireless+trackman

This keyboard has worked great for me, but I'm only ~ 6 feet away.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036ECGS6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jliedeka]

Thanks for the responses.

Laptop does have HDMI. I was considering re-using it for now since it has more than enough horsepower for the games I play. Plus, I spent $2500 on it so kicking it to the curb after two years seems wrong.

The way I currently use it is on a huge piece of plywood on my lap with a DeathAdder mouse. Also, use headphones because the fan can drown out the onboard audio. I've really gotten spoiled by the control you get with KB/mouse so not sure I want to go the controller route.

Thinking a lighter keyboard and mouse or trackball might be the ticket. Wireless should work.

Jim