• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 14:35
CEST 20:35
KST 03:35
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL20] Ro8 Preview Pt2: Holding On1Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4)5TL.net Map Contest #21 - Finalists4Team TLMC #5: Vote to Decide Ladder Maps!0[ASL20] Ro8 Preview Pt1: Mile High15
Community News
Weekly Cups (Sept 22-28): MaxPax double, Zerg wins, PTR5BSL Season 214herO joins T121Artosis vs Ret Showmatch75Classic wins RSL Revival Season 22
StarCraft 2
General
Sharing my experience recovering lost crypto funds SC2 5.0.15 PTR Patch Notes + Sept 22nd update Weekly Cups (Sept 22-28): MaxPax double, Zerg wins, PTR Production Quality - Maestros of the Game Vs RSL 2 Maestros of the Game: Live Finals Preview (RO4)
Tourneys
Maestros of The Game—$20k event w/ live finals in Paris SC2's Safe House 2 - October 18 & 19 Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Prome's Evo #1 - Solar vs Classic (SC: Evo)
Strategy
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 493 Quick Killers Mutation # 492 Get Out More Mutation # 491 Night Drive Mutation # 490 Masters of Midnight
Brood War
General
Flash On JaeDongs ASL Struggles & Perseverance A question of legitimacy? ASL20 General Discussion ASL 20 Soundtrack Artosis vs Ret Showmatch
Tourneys
[ASL20] Ro8 Day 3 [ASL20] Ro8 Day 2 Azhi's Colosseum [ASL20] Ro8 Day 1
Strategy
Current Meta Simple Questions, Simple Answers Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Dawn of War IV Path of Exile Liquipedia App: Now Covering SC2 and Brood War!
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion LiquidDota to reintegrate into TL.net
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Games Industry And ATVI Canadian Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine
Fan Clubs
The herO Fan Club! The Happy Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List BarCraft in Tokyo Japan for ASL Season5 Final
Blogs
[AI] Sorry, Chill, My Bad :…
Peanutsc
Try to reverse getting fired …
Garnet
[ASL20] Players bad at pi…
pullarius1
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 2925 users

Would you use an external keyboard on a laptop?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
ArkSC
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
128 Posts
January 14 2012 07:43 GMT
#1
Hey guys!

As of right now, I'm using an Alienware 17x laptop for gaming, mainly Starcraft. I'm considering getting an external keyboard for gaming.(A mechanical keyboard). Should i do this? I would have to move my computer around, and it would put my further from the screen. I'm considering something like the Blackwiddow from Razer Maybe something from SteelSeries. Have any of you done this and if so was it better or worse? Also keyboard reccomendations would be great if you feel that I should get one.
Creator, Maru, MKP, Illusion, DeMuslim, MVP, Thorzain. ♥
DivinO
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States4796 Posts
January 14 2012 08:10 GMT
#2
Hey. Why not?

I do this. Planning on getting a Das but I've been using a $5 keyboard with my laptop for half a year.
LiquipediaBrain in my filth.
Mtndrew
Profile Joined May 2011
United States174 Posts
January 14 2012 08:12 GMT
#3
When i used to game full time on my laptop, i liked using my full size keyboard. I found it actually allowed me to have the screen in a more natural position because i wasn't having to keep it to the left of me where i like my keyboard to be.
ArkSC
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
128 Posts
January 14 2012 08:53 GMT
#4
Yeah, i Really think it'd be good to get one, still looking for more reviews!
Creator, Maru, MKP, Illusion, DeMuslim, MVP, Thorzain. ♥
VeeGee
Profile Joined August 2011
United States3 Posts
January 14 2012 08:54 GMT
#5
Currently doing so with my Das Professional Silent, works great.
Jojo131
Profile Joined January 2011
Brazil1631 Posts
January 14 2012 08:59 GMT
#6
I'm doing so right now, and plan to take this set up with me to college abroad so that I dont have to carry as much with me.

Since you're getting an alienware, I'm guessing its safe to assume that you're not too worried about keyboard price, in which case get whatever you want. Just remember that a keyboard for mainly starcraft probably wont need macro keys like in the black widow, hence why most players physically remove them from the board, its mostly an MMO feature. The most important thing to keep in mind should be the type of key switch you want, as well as ergonomics, everything else is just extra.
FlyingLigerz
Profile Joined May 2010
United States163 Posts
January 14 2012 10:22 GMT
#7
it's fine to do this. the only problem u might have is some mechanical keyboards such as a das requires 2 usb ports. for gaming you would definately want an external mouse, so you might run short on usb ports.
Lmui
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada6213 Posts
January 14 2012 10:26 GMT
#8
On January 14 2012 19:22 FlyingLigerz wrote:
it's fine to do this. the only problem u might have is some mechanical keyboards such as a das requires 2 usb ports. for gaming you would definately want an external mouse, so you might run short on usb ports.


False. The das only requires two if you want the USB hub on the das to work as well. For typing, or general use you only need one.
Shikyo
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Finland33997 Posts
January 14 2012 10:57 GMT
#9
of course, the laptop keyboard is terrible so an external one is just about mandatory. I assume you're using an external mouse as well.

After a while I'm sure it becomes tiring looking at a tiny screen that is either so low or so far away, so it'd probably also be a good idea to buy an external screen as well. (And then you begin to wonder why you bought a laptop)
League of Legends EU West, Platinum III | Yousei Teikoku is the best thing that has ever happened to music.
writer22816
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States5775 Posts
January 14 2012 11:19 GMT
#10
only if i were a professional tetris player
8/4/12 never forget, never forgive.
tUUTZ
Profile Joined July 2011
Finland122 Posts
January 14 2012 11:54 GMT
#11
Laptop keyboards are awful, of course I would use my Filco.
jacosajh
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
2919 Posts
January 14 2012 12:07 GMT
#12
If you're lugging around a 17" Alienware, that's pretty much a desktop.

I definitely would. In the very least a compact one without the numpad.
simplynick10
Profile Joined April 2011
Brunei Darussalam20 Posts
January 14 2012 13:28 GMT
#13
i use a blackwidow with mine ! yes , use an external keyboard
EG.IdrA . FXO_Leenock . <3
kota
Profile Joined October 2010
Denmark84 Posts
January 14 2012 13:30 GMT
#14
I've got the razer black widow, and i can't say i can recommend it. I've so many problems with. For example it had 2 weeks where it didnt work.. at all. Then when i plugged it in again after a couple of weeks it worked perfectly. Plus it looks kinda vulgar with the lighting and shiny surface.. If i was on the market for a new mechanical keyboard i would have a look at das for sure
bLah.
Profile Joined July 2009
Croatia497 Posts
January 14 2012 13:45 GMT
#15
I used to play on laptop. First I bought external mouse, then keyboard, then monitor, then new PC. That's how it goes (:
so yea, buy keyboard, it's just so much more comfortable.
as for which keyboard to buy, mechanical are great but go into store and try them out. for example blackwidow has different key switches than those from steelseries so it's matter of preference
Lorch
Profile Joined June 2011
Germany3684 Posts
January 14 2012 13:49 GMT
#16
Yes every time I take my notebook to my buddies place to play starcraft I use a external keyboard, can't really play on a notebook keyboard. If you buy one do yourself a favor and buy a mechanical one, from DAS or Steelseries or Razer etc.
ArkSC
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
128 Posts
January 14 2012 17:39 GMT
#17
On January 14 2012 19:22 FlyingLigerz wrote:
it's fine to do this. the only problem u might have is some mechanical keyboards such as a das requires 2 usb ports. for gaming you would definately want an external mouse, so you might run short on usb ports.



I would be fine, my computer has 4 usb ports, enough for my headset, mouse, and keyboard if it takes 2 and then I have a fifth one i believe.
Creator, Maru, MKP, Illusion, DeMuslim, MVP, Thorzain. ♥
Zarieth
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada8 Posts
January 14 2012 17:46 GMT
#18
Yes ! why not ? its just better , personally i use a razer blackwindow ultimate with a deathadder and a 32 inch LCD screen. its all connected by usb and hdmi to my laptop ( hp HDX prenium series ) and everything work fine
-HellZerg-
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
United States409 Posts
January 14 2012 18:18 GMT
#19
It's so uncomfortable to play SC2 with a laptop keyboard, and that's why I bought an external keyboard. I currently use Deck Legend - Ice (tactile) keyboard, and it's SO comfortable. :D
We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
MattLz
Profile Joined December 2010
United States69 Posts
January 14 2012 18:31 GMT
#20
I'd recommend you doing this.

A guy on my CSL team uses a Blackwidow with a laptop when he plays, I can only imagine it'd be much more efficient using that than the laptop keyboard.
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Kaelaris Steadfast Rott…
16:00
#12
RotterdaM1261
IndyStarCraft 307
SteadfastSC221
ZombieGrub80
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 1220
Reynor 338
IndyStarCraft 297
SteadfastSC 202
UpATreeSC 94
ZombieGrub80
MindelVK 29
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 20827
Calm 3463
Dewaltoss 169
Zeus 155
Free 89
Barracks 85
Mini 82
Hyun 78
Rock 29
NaDa 10
[ Show more ]
Hm[arnc] 8
Dota 2
BananaSlamJamma554
monkeys_forever190
Counter-Strike
fl0m2634
byalli438
Heroes of the Storm
Liquid`Hasu320
Other Games
gofns32427
tarik_tv25103
Grubby1862
FrodaN1834
ArmadaUGS1785
ceh9712
Beastyqt627
B2W.Neo228
QueenE150
KnowMe133
Hui .100
C9.Mang076
Trikslyr49
NeuroSwarm45
ToD41
Organizations
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 21 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• iHatsuTV 12
• Reevou 3
• Kozan
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• IndyKCrew
• intothetv
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 23
• FirePhoenix10
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3442
• masondota21497
League of Legends
• Nemesis14081
• TFBlade980
Other Games
• imaqtpie1379
• WagamamaTV394
• Shiphtur246
Upcoming Events
OSC
5h 25m
Sparkling Tuna Cup
15h 25m
NightMare vs SHIN
ByuN vs Gerald
herO vs YoungYakov
Creator vs Nicoract
Afreeca Starleague
15h 25m
Bisu vs Larva
PiGosaur Monday
1d 5h
LiuLi Cup
1d 16h
OSC
1d 19h
Online Event
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
Online Event
3 days
Wardi Open
3 days
[ Show More ]
Online Event
3 days
Online Event
4 days
[BSL 2025] Weekly
4 days
[BSL 2025] Weekly
4 days
Safe House 2
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-09-25
Maestros of the Game
HCC Europe

Ongoing

BSL 20 Team Wars
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 3
BSL 21 Points
ASL Season 20
CSL 2025 AUTUMN (S18)
EC S1
ESL Pro League S22
Urban Riga Open #1
FERJEE Rush 2025
Birch Cup 2025
DraculaN #2
LanDaLan #3
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1

Upcoming

IPSL Winter 2025-26
SC4ALL: Brood War
BSL Season 21
BSL 21 Team A
RSL Revival: Season 3
Stellar Fest
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
WardiTV TLMC #15
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
Frag Blocktober 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.