Key Takeaways
- Controllers provide a better range of motion and a more ergonomic design than trackpads or mice.
- Controllers offer immersive features like feedback and are more versatile, making them better for playing across multiple platforms including console and mobile.
- Using both a controller and mouse together is the best-case scenario, providing maneuverability and precision with the freedom to move between both.
There’s no shortage of laptop accessories on the market today for laptop gamers. These range from headsets, and external battery packs to screen extenders and cooling pads. My favorite accessory, though, is the humble gaming controller.
Controllers Offer More to Gamers Than a Trackpad or Mouse
Even with a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, you won’t get far on your adventures without an effective input device. Though a trackpad is fine for some titles, like Stardew Valley, that are mostly point-and-click, using a touch input is a less than ideal solution.
Trackpads lack the necessary range of motion, input options, and response times needed for slaying a hoard of monsters, countering swift attacks, or accurately aiming weapons. Their simplicity and stationary position also make them a poor ergonomic option for gamers.
This brings us back to the classic “mouse or controller” debate. Both gamepads and gaming mice offer modern considerations like specialized button designs, lightning-fast polling rates and response times, ergonomic designs, and both wired and wireless connection options. Yet for me, gaming mice are still miles behind controllers.
One of the most obvious differences is the lack of physical feedback. This refers to the rumble effect of your controller during hard-hitting in-game moments like smashing through a wall. Though not all gamers will find this feature useful, most do appreciate the level of immersion that it offers.
Mice also lag behind in versatility. With my Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, I can effortlessly go from gaming on my laptop or Switch to playing on my phone, tablet, or TV. Not only are mice incompatible with consoles and phones, they’re also cumbersome to set up on a TV compared to the ease of a Bluetooth controller.
Compatibility doesn’t stop with physical devices either. There are plenty of emulators that are geared towards PCs, consoles, and handheld systems, and a controller is necessary to make the most of them.
Despite the small size and light weight of both controllers and mice, controllers also reign supreme in portability. As cloud gaming platforms slowly take off, even a standard laptop can become a compact gaming station, making this aspect all the more important to consider.
Modern computer mice use optic and laser sensors to send input data from the mouse to your computer. Because of this, mice require a flat, stable surface which may not always be readily available to you. Imagine trying to play a game with a mouse and keyboard while sitting in those little airport chairs. I can tell you from experience, it’s not a great way to kick off your trip. Even something as simple as gaming on the couch can become a whole ordeal with a mouse.
Controllers and Mice Make a Great Team
For all of the arguments there are in favor of controllers over mice, there are nearly as many reasons to choose a mouse over a controller. While I suggest laptop gamers start with a controller if faced with choosing between the two, the best PC setup has both.
This configuration is especially ideal for gamers who work from home. Having a controller as a dedicated gaming accessory creates a mental distinction between work and play. Even though I occasionally use my mouse for certain games, my controller is still the only accessory that I associate with game time, helping me focus when it’s time to get down to business.
A controller and mouse also make a dream team in-game. Regardless of which side of the debate you fall on, it’s well-known that controllers offer better maneuverability while gaming mice provide increased precision.
The easiest way to get the best of both worlds is to switch between the two depending on which skill is prioritized in the game you’re playing. That said, many games will allow you to switch from one input to another mid-game, and some of them are capable of processing both inputs simultaneously.
Regardless of how advanced accessories and peripherals become, game controllers will always be an important part of my setup. Not only are they one of the basic hardware components for gaming, but they’re also more practical for laptop use and a fun way to show off your style.
If you don’t already have a controller in your arsenal, check out our top PC controller recommendations and experience true gaming freedom for yourself.
