Sure. And don’t stop there.
I’ve been there. Adapting to a new keyboard, especially after years of being attached to a comfortable ergonomic one, can be a pain. I often avoid using the keyboard on smaller laptops because they don’t work well for my large hands.
External USB keyboards are the way to go.
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Laptops and keyboards
Struggling with your laptop’s keyboard? Plug in your favorite USB keyboard. Consider disabling the touchpad and even covering the laptop’s built-in keyboard. Add a stand for more comfort and you’ve got a setup that feels more like home.
Yes, use your old keyboard
In most cases, you can absolutely use your old ergo keyboard with your laptop. Just plug it (or its wireless receiver) into a USB port on your laptop. No additional setup is usually required.
Modern laptops are designed to support external devices out of the box. When you plug a USB keyboard:
- Windows automatically recognizes the device.
- Your external keyboard just starts working.
- You no longer need to rely on the laptop’s built-in keyboard for typing.
I often connect my laptop to an external keyboard for a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience.
Multi-keyboard support
Both Windows and macOS allow the use of multiple keyboards at the same time.
The running joke is that you can use one keyboard with one hand and the other with the other hand. While certainly possible, if awkward, sometimes having access to both is useful. For example, if my laptop keyboard has volume control keys that my external doesn’t, as long as it’s within reach it’s easier to just hit those buttons on that keyboard.
What about the touchpad?
You mentioned accidentally brushing against the touchpad while typing. Most laptops allow you to deactivate the touchpad. Here’s how:
- Search Settings for Touchpad. You should be able to toggle the touchpad off.
- On some laptops, you can disable the touchpad using a specific function key (e.g., pressing Fn + a key with a touchpad icon).
Of course, you can also connect an external mouse via USB or Bluetooth. This way, you can fully ignore the laptop’s built-in touchpad. (And, yes, you can use both the touchpad and the mouse, or even additional pointing devices like trackballs or more mice, at the same time.)
Covering the built-in keyboard
If you want to avoid accidentally pressing keys, you could cover it up. While cardboard might not be the most elegant solution, you could place some kind of a keyboard cover or silicone protector (an oversized mousepad, perhaps) over the built-in keyboard.
A keyboard is a diagnostic tool
Even if you don’t plan to use your external keyboard long-term, I do recommend you keep a USB keyboard around.
If you experience a problem with the built-in keyboard, my number one recommendation is that you first see if the problem happens with an external keyboard as well. If it does, you’ll know you’re likely dealing with a software problem. But if the external keyboard works where the internal doesn’t, then you know you’re probably dealing with a hardware issue.
Bonus: add a stand
Consider elevating your laptop on a stand. This allows you to position your external keyboard exactly where you want it, keeping the built-in keyboard out of the way, while also adjusting your screen height to reduce neck strain.
This mimics the desktop experience you’re used to.
Do this
As long as you’re stationary, there’s no need to endure the discomfort of your laptop keyboard if it bugs you. When you’re traveling you might not want to carry the extra hardware with you, but at least at home or work you have comfortable options.
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I am having an issue with getting a wireless usb dongle keyboard to connect to windows 10. I Downloaded the keyboard drivers from the keyboard manf site. still no connect.
i have 2 usb ports on laptop, either port works fine with my wireless mouse.
thank you
js
ps
windows settings shows no warnings or issues with both usb ports on laptop
All I can suggest is seeing if it’ll work on a different computer, and then perhaps reaching out to the manufacturer.
I have Bluetooth keyboard too. It works great with my work Lenovo. But on my home Lenovo, it never reconnects and I have to unpair and pair again.
At home, my laptop functions the same as my desktop used to. I plug in keyboard, mouse, and monitor. My speakers connect to the monitor, and I use a matched wireless set for the mouse and keyboard so it’s only one USB device plugged in. The lid is often shut unless I have a need to use multiple screens which is not too often. So when it’s time to go, I pull the power to take with me and unplug one HDMI and I’m portable. I usually take the mouse with me. For a day, week, or two while travelling I can make do with the laptop keyboard, but I just find touchpads annoying for more than an hour or so. I have better dexterity with the mouse. So the touchpad is usually turned off all the time.
I have one of those convertible laptops where the keyboard can swivel completely around to make a tablet. But the keyboard can also swivel halfway back so that the keyboard (keys down) serves as a stand behind the screen. In this configuration the external mouse and keyboard work normally and you don’t have to cover the keyboard.
I have two laptop PCs, and I don’t use an external keyboard, but I do prefer an external wireless mouse because it’s what I use, and have used, on my desktop PC for many years. I disable the touch-pad, so it doesn’t unexpectedly interfere with anything else I’m doing.
It’s what works for me,
Ernie (Oldster)
I got a kick out of this. I did all these things and life is much easier. What do I cover my old keyboard with? An old cutting board that is the exact correct size. Someone said they have been using the same wireless mouse for ever! I’ve actually worn two out. I buy two of everything that is small.
Somewhat off topic; I keep piling stuff on top of the board over the keyboard and then I can’t see the bottom of the screen. Flat blank areas are magnets for “stuff”.