Keyboard/Monitor Solution Wanted (notebook expansion)

[Canelek]

I have pretty much trashed the idea of building a new PC until next year so want to make the most of my notebook(ASUS):

C2D T7200
2 GB RAM
512 nVidia GeForce Go 7700(DX9)
Resolution 1680 x 1050

Already have a wired Logi MX(xxxx) mouse and like it fine. What I would like to do is add a keyboard so it is easier to type (not to mention reach) and has plenty of extra buttons for macros. G-15?

Also I want a monitor that will work nicely @ 1680 x 1050. When I get around to buying a desktop, I will go big on monitor, but figured on 22" as being a nice upgrade over 15.4". 24" Is a possibility as well, but want my interim solution to be cheap. Also, I want to reduce the risk of damage to notebook by hammering keys for extended periods.

Ideas?

[Winnow]

I'm still loving my Apple keyboard. I reviewed and took some pics of it halfway down this page.

http://www.veeshanvault.org/forums/view ... &start=100

With keyboards, it all depends on what you like. Apple Keyboard is the quietest one out there and works great if you like shallow but responsive keys. Otherwise, I like the feel of the Saitek keyboard (also pictured in that thread) for full key, quietness.

Apple Keyboard is extremely easy to clean as well. (q-tip between the keys) I recommend actually testing any keyboard before purchase.

[Canelek]

Ah yeah, I remember your thread now. Although I think the Apple is pretty nice, I really want something that is extra big to hold programmable keys. I will look at the Saitek too. Ever use the G15 by Logi?

[Winnow]

Ah yeah, I remember your thread now. Although I think the Apple is pretty nice, I really want something that is extra big to hold programmable keys. I will look at the Saitek too. Ever use the G15 by Logi?

Yep! Have that one as well. I think I got rid of that one when I added the custom gamer keypad which I've also since dumped to make room for the Bamboo Tablet.

G15 is nice if you have the space for it. It's only average for key "feel". A little noisy, especially the space bar. The 18 Macro keys work great though. The backlighting is there but doesn't really light the keys well. The Saitek's illuminated keys are probably the best atm if you play in the dark but it has no macro keys which is why I used the specialized gamer pad with it.

The Apple keybpard has 20 F Keys and a normal PC has 12 so there's 8 F keys you can program. I have my multimedia keys programmed on the extra F keys.

Lots of people have the G15 on VV and there's a big thread on it somewhere here if you want more info.

Actually, the long G15 thread was lost (like a lot of nice computer review threads were during the database conversion)

This is a little info

http://www.veeshanvault.org/forums/view ... 25&t=18689

[Aardor]

I really love my g15, but I used random non-branded keyboards till I got it. The LCD screen is useless except that I can have the time up when playing a fullscreen game.

[Syenye]

For a regular keyboard with shallow keys, I like the Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000. They're around $15 at Office Depot.

They make a non-LCD version of the G15, the G11.

I have a Samsung 216BW, and I love it. I picked it up at Best Buy a few months ago for $200. I'm partial to the Samsung monitors because they're more aesthetically pleasing, but this one definitely displays a better picture than the lower end Dell 24" that I have at school.

[Canelek]

I am definately going for the G15 now, after talking with a guildie last night. She uses it and loves it. Also, EQ2 fully supports it and has extra options. Plus, it works well with A.C.T. for parsing.

Think I will go by Best Buy today and see what their pricing is. Also, going to check the monitors and see what kind of deals they have. I am parital to Samsung as well, and I know the 22" models are pretty cheap at the moment. I also have a 19" Samsung monitor and 42" Samsung plasma TV so I like their shit.

[Canelek]

So the go7700 can provide higher resolutions right? My 15.4" display on the notebook is 1680x1050, but that is just the max resolution of the display? I would like to go higher res if the external monitor supports it....I just don't want to degrade video performance.

[Canelek]

Ended up buying a Samsung 24" monitor and Logi G-15 keyboard. Now to find drivers for the nVidia go7700. I think notebook settings only take it to 1680x1050, but I am sure the card itself can do at least 1920x1200.

Any ideas on the driver/resolution front?

Here is the monitor:

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/deta ... KIEEFV/XAA

[Winnow]

Ended up buying a Samsung 24" monitor and Logi G-15 keyboard. Now to find drivers for the nVidia go7700. I think notebook settings only take it to 1680x1050, but I am sure the card itself can do at least 1920x1200.

Any ideas on the driver/resolution front?

Here is the monitor:

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/deta ... KIEEFV/XAA

Be sure you can use 1920x1200 resolution. LCD's don't look good at all if not set to their native resolution.

If your card can't handle it, you might want to take it back for a 22" 1680X1050. I think the go7700 should be fine for non gaming stuff at 1920x1200...don't know it's stats though.

[Canelek]

I sure hope it works at 1920x1200....already bought the thing. =/.

[Canelek]

The nVidia tech says the go7700 supports 1920x1200 so I should be fine....may still need updated driver, but that should be easy enough to round up.

[Canelek]

Well, I did not have to change the driver, although I will do some research to see if I can get a performance gain soon.

The display is fantastic! It runs great in 1920x1200 with no performance loss. It is quite odd seeing EQ2 at such a scale--that and the keyboard is very different than what I am used to. As for that, the LCD display is cool as shit, if a bit cramped in the keys.

One thing that I was not able to do is the following:

Although I can run both monitors (notebook and external) at their native resolutions (1680x1050, 1920x1200), I cannot switch the primary display to my external. It will only let me have the notebook as primary and external as extended desktop. Rt-Clicking on the monitor icon in video properties has the Set Primary option grayed out for the external. However, I am able to run the external alone, with the notebook display not active.

Is this a driver issue or am I SOL for switching primary display? Anyone else have this issue?

thanks!

[Fash]

I have that issue at work, how I fix it is doing it in reverse. I enable the external monitor by itself, then enable the laptop monitor as extended desktop.

[Canelek]

That makes sense. I thought I tried that, but was really just clicking around. Think I will take a more scientific (and slower) approach tonight. Thanks!

So in your situation, the dropdown had set as primary grayed out when both were enabled?

[Fash]

It would let me try to set it primary, but when applying the change, it doesn't actually take effect.