Questions about a few accessories for an m11x...

1) Trying to find a good wireless mouse for my m11x...

I'm deciding between an oorichi and a G700 right now. I'm leaning towards the G700 because I have a 50% out of warranty discount code for it that brings it down to $60 with one day shipping. Is it worth it?

2) Mouse pad recommendations?

3) Wireless keyboard recommendations?

4) Some way to use a mouse while I have my laptop on my lap, I already have a Notepal U2 cooler. The only other thing close I've seen is the Logitech lapdesk with the section for a mouse. Preferably I'd like something I can attach/jerryright to my NotePal U2.

5) Any other recommended accessories? I'll be using this notebook for productivity mostly and a bit of gaming.

 

1) Yes. Get the Logitech G700. It is superior to the Razer Orochi in every single way - higher DPI imaging engine, better polling rates (up to 1000Hz), full-sized mouse, and always operates in full performance mode (unlike the Orochi, which only operates in full performance mode when wired). $60 is a fantastic deal. Jump on it.

2) Many people use the Razer Kabuto as a dual-purpose mouse pad and screen protector (put it between your screen and keyboard when your laptop is closed). I do this, and have no complaints about the Kabuto as a mouse pad with my Logitech G700.

3) I don't recommend wireless keyboards. This is a situation where just because something is wireless, doesn't mean it is better. If you want a keyboard, look for keyboards with mechanical switches. They are infinitely superior to keyboards that use membrane-based keys. If a keyboard doesn't specify whether it uses membrane / scissor / mechanical key motion, then it uses the cheaper (and inferior) membrane method.

Mechanical switch keyboard(s) I'd recommend:
Deck Legend Keyboard - $150. This is the last keyboard you will ever buy. Has colored LED backlighting.
Das Keyboard Professional Model S - $130. Simple, reliable keyboard from a reliable brand.
Generic-brand USB Keyboard w/mechanical switches - $57. Never used this, but it's cheap.

4) Don't know about this one. When I do this, I don't bother trying to mouse on the same surface that is holding my laptop - I will do something like put a large book on the seat next to me, and mouse on that instead.

5) Headphones. If you can afford it, Logitech G35 / Logitech G930 is a great choice... however, you can only use these headphones on a PC, because they use a USB connection. If you want more general-purpose headphones, then we can definitely recommend some, starting at $30 going all the way up to $200+.

 

1 - G700
2 - Handstands Zero Gamers Mat
3 - Keyboard... I say Logitech again... Whatever one you want. I personally have a Logitech Alto wireless keyboard bc it acts as a USB hub as well. Thing stays docked by my TV most of the time anyway...
4 - TRACKPAD - If your going to game, use a desk
5 - G930 - I love mine

 

Thank you both for the great recommendations. Just read up on mechanical keyboards, didn't know the difference before and I think it'll suit me best since I'll be using an external keyboard to type for school on a desk.

I've looked into the G930 before and I was thinking about purchasing it, is it easy to transport? Otherwise I was thinking of going with the in ear razer ones. But I'm sure there's better ones from a better audio brand.

 

I think that you'll enjoy using a mechanical keyboard. Once you use one, you will never go back to membrane keyboards again.

As for headphones - I haven't used the Logitech G930's before (I have used the Logitech G35's, the wired version). And I would have to say that I would not want to transport those headphones around all day. Yes, they are transportable, but it is inconvenient.

When it comes to headphones for your laptop, there are two kinds you need to consider:

Surround sound headphones

+ Comes with software/processing that provides a convincing surround effect in a single device.

- Can be confusing to find a decent pair, considering all of the gimmicks and marketing that companies try to use to trick people, typically by preying on the fact that people automatically assume "more" is "better". 7.1 emulation is not better than 5.1 emulation. Multiple speakers in the earcups is not better than 1 speaker in each earcup. Flashy colored LED's do not make a better-sounding headset (only one that drains more battery power).

- Can only be used on a computer, because they are USB.

Dedicated stereo headphones

+ Can be used anywhere that accepts a 3.5mm plug, such as MP3 players and laptops.

+ Can provide much better sound quality than surround headphones, if you are willing to spend $100+ dollars on stereo headphones. This only matters if you care about sound quality for music / movies. In gaming, the ability to provide convincing surround effects is slightly more important than sound quality.

- Cannot natively provide surround effects. You will either need to use software/drivers on your computer, a dedicated sound card (e.g. Sound Blaster X-Fi 5.1 USB SB1090 is a great choice) that can provide surround sound emulation, or a dedicated breakout box (e.g. Turtle Beach EarForce DSS, Astro MixAmp).



It is worth noting that all surround sound on headphones is all done through software processing. (I can describe why in more detail, if you want). ALL surround sound in headphones relies on software processing. There is no such thing as "true" surround sound on headphones, regardless of how many speakers they put in the headphone cups, or the the brand/manufacturer of the surround headphones. So don't be fooled into buying one set of headphones over another, just because they crammed more speakers into the headphone cups. It is NOT true surround no matter how much they advertise it as such, and it is NOT better surround experience than a solution that uses just one speaker in each headphone cup.

 

I understand completely why surround sound on headphones can only be emulated through software. Thank you for the extremely in depth replies, I figured a lot of it was marketing bs and of course LED's do not make anything better.

Do you have any recommendations for high quality transportable stereo and surround sound headphones? Anywhere from $40 to $150.

 

Here is a short list for you. All of the headphones I will recommend will be earbuds / in-ear headphones, because I personally feel that the noise isolation and portability of those headphones are very desirable factors for a gaming laptop that gets moved around a lot.

- $35-$40 stereo headphones Sennheiser CX-300B - by far the best earbuds / headphones I have used in that price range (and I have used 12+ different models, because my wife keeps losing them).

- Stereo gaming headset - Sennheiser PC300 - price is variable. I got mine for $50. I've seen them go for up to $90. Stereo earbuds / headphones that are equivalent in sound quality to the Sennheiser CX-300B's, but also comes with a mic. FAR FAR superior sound quality than the Razer Moray+ headphones/headset

- $130 - Stereo earphones, high quality - Etymotic HF-5. Highly portable, excellent sound quality, especially in mid-to-high-frequency details. The high emphasis to detail is fantastic for detecting and listening to sound cues in surround sound processing (if you have a driver package / sound card / breakout box that does surround processing).

$100 – Surround headset, wired – Logitech G35. Highly regarded as providing excellent surround effects and pretty-good sound. A bit larger than the dedicated stereo headphones I recommended, because they are full-sized headphones.

$160 – Surround headset, wireless – Logitech G930. Wireless version of the Logitech G35’s Highly regarded as providing excellent surround effects and pretty-good sound. A bit larger than the dedicated stereo headphones I recommended, because they are full-sized headphones.


I personally own an Alienware M11x R2 + Sound Blaster X-Fi 5.1 USB SB1090 Sound Card (for the CMSS3D Headphone surround processing) + Etymotic ER-4P (earlier model line from Etymotic). And the surround effects, sound quality, and portability of this combination is FANTASTIC.

 

G930 are not fragile and you can tell they are well built... but for on the go... I would say just keep some good sound dampening ear buds with you. Picking up a USB sound card would be a good idea, like above mentioned. I personally use some higher quality Sony Earbuds on the go and keep my 930's safe and sound at home.

 

I use the Kabuto to but I never put it in between my m11x. Even though it's super thin don't you think it puts extra pressure on the hinges?