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Can I Use an External Keyboard with My Laptop?

Sure. And don’t stop there.

Go ahead. Plug it in. External keyboards are useful for many things.
Keyboard
(Image: Adobe Stock)
Question: I just got a new Lenovo laptop and I’m having the darnedest time typing on it. I’m upgrading from a PC. I used to use this wonderful Windows ergonomic keyboard, which I loved and cherished. I had no issues or problems and I knew where everything was. With all of these newly built laptops now, I’m forced to keep my palms straight and elbows in. I can’t stand it. I constantly miss keys, touching the middle pad thingy. I’m constantly misspelling words, going back and backspacing words because I’ve hit the Enter key instead of the Shift key, cursing like mad. I’m going insane. Is there any way that I can just plug my old ergonomic keyboard back into the USB port, slap cardboard over the laptop keyboard, and go about my regular carefree life? Please say there’s a way!

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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TL;DR:

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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3 comments on “Can I Use an External Keyboard with My Laptop?”

  1. 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

    Reply

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