The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    poertable gamepad for my laptop

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by trvelbug, Jun 24, 2010.

  1. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    929
    Messages:
    4,007
    Likes Received:
    40
    Trophy Points:
    116
    hi

    im looking for a portable gamepad for my laptop.
    i have no knowledge whatsoever in gamepads and im willing to spend less than 40usd.
    any suggestions?
     
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    What games do you want to play?

    Wired or Wireless Gamepad?

    Do you have bluetooth on your laptop?


    Since your machine is high spec I assume it has bluetooth. Since you mention portable right in the thread title I assume that is your highest priority.

    For that combo the most portable gamepad is the Wiimote. (other than these really expensive micro bluetooth gamepads for pda's that suck)

    Here is a video I made of it in action:

    width='480' height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fllo6F-UP5o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fllo6F-UP5o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width='480' height="385"></embed></object>

    It cant be beat, small, cord free, light, easy to pack.

    However the weak point is that its not plug & play, I have some guides on how to do it buried here on the forums though.


    Next and by far the most often recommended product is a xbox 360 controller. It is plug & play but has a much larger size and a long cord to keep track off.


    A third alternative that I just started using is the Wii Classic Controller(s) and a USB adapter. They are smaller and cheaper than the 360 controller and have 1 more button to use as well as the drivers being more customizable.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
  3. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    929
    Messages:
    4,007
    Likes Received:
    40
    Trophy Points:
    116
    i have bluetooth yes.
    preferably wired so its cheaper bu i wouldnt mind a wireless one if price is right.
    ill be using it to play nba 2k10, lego star wars and force unleashed
     
  4. Hobgoblinpie

    Hobgoblinpie Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    115
    Messages:
    369
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I would really recommend the Xbox 360 wireless controller (or wired, but I find that the wire is a bit too long). Force unleashed for example has built in support for it, as do quite a few games (Mirrors Edge, GTA IV, Resident Evil 5, Crysis, Batman Arkham Asylum etc) so it really requires minimal setup.
     
  5. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    929
    Messages:
    4,007
    Likes Received:
    40
    Trophy Points:
    116
    interesting.
    i go check it out
    thanks for the recommendation
     
  6. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    I would not go wireless for the laptop you will never be far enough away to need it since the laptop screen is small.

    Even if you use an external TV or something the wired version is long enough.

    The main reason I do not recomend it though is that it will be out of your budget because the controller itself is expensive and then you have to buy the adapter seperate, and the adapter uses a cord so you still have to manage cords with your travel, so the net result is just as much space as the wired version taken up in your bag and more money out of your pocket.

    I use the wireless version at home on my desktop though and in that situation I do prefer it, but on the road I use the wired version. (back when I used the 360 controller I prefer the wii classics now)