Will using a USB keyboard on a laptop work?
By EnslinPorter
@EnslinPorter (1718)
Philippines
September 19, 2010 12:37pm CST
Hi everyone! 
I'd like to ask, will using a USB keyboard on a laptop work? I'm planning to play some games on my laptop next month and I don't want to overuse my laptop's own keyboard because it's difficult to replace/repair compared to a desktop computer. And so, I'm thinking of buying a USB keyboard, a flexible one so that it's portable too.
Thanks a bunch and have a nice week ahead of you! 
I'd like to ask, will using a USB keyboard on a laptop work? I'm planning to play some games on my laptop next month and I don't want to overuse my laptop's own keyboard because it's difficult to replace/repair compared to a desktop computer. And so, I'm thinking of buying a USB keyboard, a flexible one so that it's portable too.
Thanks a bunch and have a nice week ahead of you! 10 responses
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Cool. I was wondering about that one too because when I use my USB mouse, I still need to disable the touchpad. Good to know. Thanks for the response darkbox!
@archon309 (404)
• Philippines
22 Sep 10
I saw a laptop that has a small on-off switch for the touchpad. It was a HP laptop it think.
@archon309 (404)
• Philippines
19 Sep 10
Of course it will work. In fact, using USB keyboard, specially if you can find an ergonomic one, will be more comfortable to use than laptop keyboard in more ways than one. It's also a great idea to use an external keyboard if your planning to play games on your laptop. :)
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
That's cool! Thanks a bunch for the response archon309. 
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
20 Sep 10
I don't so much think a USB keyboard will hurt your laptop, I would rather have a USB wireless mouse. I don't like using a track pad at all, even though I have an iPhone, which it touch, I find it easier to use a mouse since that's what I'm used to. A USB keyboard will help save your keyboard in the long run, or, you could buy one now and use it when yours starts to give out.
1 person likes this
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Hi gitfiddleplayer! I see. I guess it would also be helpful to save my keyboard for a long time when I buy a new one and use it more than the laptop's. Thanks for the response!
I see. I guess it would also be helpful to save my keyboard for a long time when I buy a new one and use it more than the laptop's. Thanks for the response! 
@GemmaR (8517)
•
19 Sep 10
It will work without a doubt, but why do you think that playing games will break your laptop keypad?
I have a USB keypad for tying, as I find it much easier to type on that than I do on the smaller keys of my laptop. I also have a wireless keyboard, but I don't like that one so much as it occasionally misses out some letter when I touch them, so it means that I have to keep going back across my work and changing the letters- so it's quicker either to use my plugin one or just to type using the keyboard on my laptop.
1 person likes this
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Thanks very much for the response GemmaR!
I have played the Grand Theft Auto III series and part IV on the desktop computer I used to share with my brother, and am planning to play them again now on my laptop. I usually need to make the game character run and jump and those involve the arrow keys, shift key, and spacebar. It's still all right for the GTA III series because it allows use of gamepads but GTA IV only allows keyboard for controls unless the user has an XBOX controller, which I don't have. Because GTA games also involve much time with driving a car, I might overuse the keyboard. Before, our arrow keys and shift key broke 
Thank you too for the info between USB and wireless keyboards. I think I will opt for a USB one.
I have played the Grand Theft Auto III series and part IV on the desktop computer I used to share with my brother, and am planning to play them again now on my laptop. I usually need to make the game character run and jump and those involve the arrow keys, shift key, and spacebar. It's still all right for the GTA III series because it allows use of gamepads but GTA IV only allows keyboard for controls unless the user has an XBOX controller, which I don't have. Because GTA games also involve much time with driving a car, I might overuse the keyboard. Before, our arrow keys and shift key broke
Thank you too for the info between USB and wireless keyboards. I think I will opt for a USB one. @gideon1936 (4)
• South Africa
20 Sep 10
Hi Enslin
The answer is a Definit YES. A I am using my currwent and previously owned two laptop on my desk it not comfortable to use the built in keyboard (unless you have the screen very near to your face).At one stage I had two USB keyboards plugged in to my laptop one Enlish and one Hebrew both of them worked perfectly.
Hope this helps
1 person likes this
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Wow, two would actually work at once? Awesome info gideon1936! Thanks a bunch for the response. I find that very helpful.
@RonanDoran (201)
• Ireland
19 Sep 10
Of course it will, it will work fine, just as a usb mouse does.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
19 Sep 10
A pleasant day to you EnslinPorter,
With reference to your question, as far as I know, USB keyboard can be use on a laptop. Just check the compatibility of each other. You can also use a separate keyboard with a cable. At this point, you just need to check the port wherein, you will insert the cable.
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
A pleasant day to you too airasheila, thank you for your response. Thanks for the reminder about ports. My laptop only has USB ports, no PS2s. That info is helpful, thank you!
Thanks for the reminder about ports. My laptop only has USB ports, no PS2s. That info is helpful, thank you! 
@Combiflame (182)
• India
19 Sep 10
Well, as far a I know it works! Personally, I would recommend you to buy USB keyboards specialized for laptops. You can ask the reatiler if he has one.
@gideon1936 (4)
• South Africa
20 Sep 10
In answer to combflame:
What is a specialised keyboard for laptops? if you mean a miniature keyboard use one if you are short of space. Otherwise a normal size keyboard is more comfortable to use and has an numerical pad includet so you do not have to search for the numerals somwher in the middle of the letters.
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Thank you for your responses, Combiflame and gideon1936!
The retailer has those miniature keyboards too. I do prefer the normal size keyboards especially with the num pad. I tend to do some computations with my computer too and I want that num pad.
The retailer has those miniature keyboards too. I do prefer the normal size keyboards especially with the num pad. I tend to do some computations with my computer too and I want that num pad. 
@Devileric1 (34)
• United States
20 Sep 10
of course it will, it will work just fine like a usb mouse!
@EnslinPorter (1718)
• Philippines
21 Sep 10
Glad to know it works. Thanks for the response Devileric1!
