Computers/Laptops at the gaming table?

[johnsemlak]

So my group has recently become more of a laptop group. Three of us have laptops (out of a group of about 5) and it future games we may see all of htem at the game table.

Previously I and others in the group had resisted this a bit, and our previous DM didn't really like all the players having laptops on during the sessions.

So I was just wondering how other groups are on this?

 

[pogre]

What do players use the laptops for?

 

[johnsemlak]

What do players use the laptops for?

Well, in my case, I have my character sheet there. I print it out for use duriong hte session, but I still soemtimes refer to the digitial version. I could see myself only having a digital char sheet, if the DM didn't have a problem with that (I would understand a DM who didn't like that).

Also, I use my the SRD for reference a lot. I have all the core books, but sometimes another player is using mine (not everyone has a PHB). So if I want to look up a spell or such, I look in my computer. Plus, looking up such things can be faster on the computer.

 

[Jdvn1]

I don't know how to vote. One character uses a PDA, another character uses a laptop. DM doesn't use either. Rest of the players dont' use one.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I keep my house rules document online, and have a number of PDFs that I'll use, but for the most part, we play with pencil and paper and dice.

If more of us had laptops, I'd welcome their usage. It would improve record-keeping and speed up several game processes.

 

[pogre]

Well, in my case, I have my character sheet there. I print it out for use duriong hte session, but I still soemtimes refer to the digitial version. I could see myself only having a digital char sheet, if the DM didn't have a problem with that (I would understand a DM who didn't like that).

Also, I use my the SRD for reference a lot. I have all the core books, but sometimes another player is using mine (not everyone has a PHB). So if I want to look up a spell or such, I look in my computer. Plus, looking up such things can be faster on the computer.

That sounds reasonable. I could see the benefits of checking spells very quickly in the SRD. Another possible benefit I thought of myself is to add combat and skill modifiers into a sheet on the fly. You could put in modifiers for spells, rage, powerattack, and so on.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I have and use a laptop at my sessions for map display via overhead projector.

All my players but one have a laptop. One now uses a tablet PC, which I must say is terribly cool for .pdf display and making quick notes.

Most players use them to display their character sheets in game and sometimes to view .pdfs at the table.

We are moving to networking via 802.1g lately as well. These can be used for secret notes, though we yet to take any real advantage of this so far in my sessions (as I tend not to use that approach in my game although we may experiment with this as time goes on).

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Only I(the DM) use a laptop at the table, and even then, I keep it off on a side table so as not to crowd things or distract me. Its mostly used for combat reference and a few stats, while I prefer to have the actual books and other things if I can.

 

[Algolei]

I have wanted a laptop for so long but I just can't afford one.

My campaign notes fill up megs on my HD. My books are stuffed full of printouts. And my 2E CD contains all the books I lug to my 2E games--feels like several hundred pounds. I have to keep switching arms when I carry my book bag; my right arm used to be more than an inch longer than my left because I always carried it right-handed during the 90s.

Ugh. "Life would be perfect if only I had a laptop." It's safe for me to believe that, isn't it, because I never will have one will I God/Fate/Destiny/Tony Randall/Whoever Runs Things?

 

[Southern Oracle]

I'm the only one in my group with a laptop. I have my character sheet on it, and I also use the SRD while my wife uses our Player's Handbook. The DM has also sent me .wav files for certain situations, which I keep queued up to play when he signals.

I also use the laptop when I DM our Star Wars d20 game. I keep everything on the computer except for combat matrixes, which I have on a notepad. I've got pics bookmarked for scenes and notable NPCs, and I also have sound files for my game. I also have integrated equipment tables, a feat document, and a skills document, all of which are way too large to print.