How to turn your laptop into a gaming console for your living room. What you need for a full-fledged retro console

Modern gaming laptops make a strong impression. The very fact that today's models like Dell Alienware or Acer Aspire The V Nitro can offer levels of performance that supercomputers of the previous decade could not have dreamed of, while in a chassis weighing up to 3 kg, it is impressive to say the least. At the same time, we must recognize that portability comes at a price, and very often it comes in the form of sacrificing some ergonomics. Simply put, play on a laptop, especially without a mouse, keyboard and/or game controller not very comfortable. If you are constantly on the move, then yes, undoubtedly, a laptop is a great compromise that will allow you to enjoy your favorite video games almost anywhere and anytime. But if you are at home? Why sit hunched over a modest (by modern standards) 15- or 17-inch mobile computer display while trying to play a “fast” first-person shooter like Call of Duty?

If this strange form of masochism doesn't appeal to you, today I'll offer an alternative - some tips on how to easily, quickly and relatively inexpensively turn your laptop into game console.

Project: computer in the living room

No, I will not offer you to sell a laptop and buy Xbox One or PlayStation 4. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons, and it will also deprive you of the opportunity to play “mobile.” Instead, we'll talk about how you can install laptop computer in the living room. This idea has many obvious advantages, including the ability to play big screen widescreen TV, sitting in a comfortable chair or on a sofa a few meters from the screen, while controlling games using a gamepad instead of the classic computer “keyboard plus mouse” combination. Sounds good, doesn't it? Here's what you need to complete this home project.

Control

Let's start with the simplest thing - the controls. It is clear that if the laptop is under the TV in the living room, and you are sitting in a chair or on the sofa several places from the screen, then the built-in keyboard will not be of any use. The touchpad isn't even worth mentioning. Remains wireless keyboard and a mouse. If you prefer this control option, I recommend turning Special attention for kits that allow you to simultaneously connect both a keyboard and a mouse to one USB receiver. This way, you only need one of the laptop's few USB ports, and the rest can be used for other types of connections as needed. peripheral devices.

Many gamers, especially fans of shooters and strategy games, prefer a keyboard and mouse. Unfortunately, this type The controls cannot be considered comfortable when it comes to using them while sitting in a chair or lying on the sofa. And here another type of input device comes to the rescue - gamepads.

Gamepads have long gained popularity among computer games shackles, because many modern games were originally developed for consoles and then ported to PC. That is, they are inherently designed specifically for gamepad control.

The industry offers two main types of such controllers - wired and wireless. The former are cheaper and work without an independent power source. However, if you are going to take just such a controller, be sure to make sure that the distance from the chair or sofa to the laptop does not exceed the length of the gamepad wire. Cordless ones offer greater independence due to the absence of cables, but they tend to be more expensive and require recharging (or replacing) batteries.

For my part, I can recommend one of the Xbox controllers for Windows. They are designed by Microsoft, and therefore provide high level compatibility and support at the software level (drivers, operating system, video games).

There is another, quite interesting alternative - the so-called Steam Controller. This gamepad was developed by Valve for gaming Steam computers Machines, but is compatible with any PC.

In terms of design and construction, the Steam Controller differs from its competitors in that during its development, Valve tried to bring the control concept as close as possible to the familiar “mouse + keyboard” combination. The result is an interesting gamepad that, unlike traditional analog controllers, allows you to easily play typical computer games optimized for mouse control.

Connection

There are two options here: wired and wireless. Honestly, wireless means Audio-video signal transmission leaves much to be desired. Even now it takes darling Wi-Fi network, capable of providing very high speed data transmission. But even in the conditions of modern, fast home network you are unlikely to be able to enjoy the highest quality immersion in the game, because when wireless transmission The audio-video stream may experience interruptions, delays or image deterioration.

The most reliable, inexpensive and high-quality method of connecting a laptop to a TV is still the good old HDMI cable. High quality, well shielded hdmi cable can easily provide signal transmission with excellent quality at a distance of about 8-10 meters - enough to fit within a typical room or living room. And if you plan to place the laptop directly under the TV, then the problem can be solved even easier - any standard HDMI cable 1-2 meters long is ideal.

HDMI is also good because it allows you to simultaneously transmit both image and sound. The audio system built into the TV will certainly be better speakers laptop, but if you want truly high-quality multi-channel sound, then you should consider purchasing headphones or an external audio system.

Headphones - great alternative if you want inexpensive and high quality sound without turning the room into a complex maze of wires. Any modern laptop has a built-in Bluetooth module, so buy a quality one wireless headset, and you'll get wonderful sound quality at a reasonable price.

Interface

Latest Windows versions are well optimized for living room use, but for most functions of the operating system you will still need at least a mouse (or better yet, both a mouse and a keyboard). However, if you intend to use the laptop solely as a gaming console, I can offer you one very simple way to organize the controls.

In particular, Steam client, which is very popular among fans of computer games, combines a special interface mode called Big Picture. It was designed precisely with the idea of ​​turning any computer into an easy-to-use “game console” at the touch of a button.

In other words, Big Picture is an alternative Steam interface, optimized for use and control with a gamepad. You can even configure Steam to start immediately in this mode. And if you combine this option with the function automatic download Steam together with Windows, the system will launch a “console” interface after clicking Power buttons On on laptop.

By the way, Valve offers one more interesting solution. It's about about their own Linux distribution– Steam OS, which is created specifically for games. It allows you to completely remove Windows from the equation (and our makeshift project) and thereby reduce the overall cost of turning your laptop into a gaming console.

A few words in conclusion

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to some of the undeniable advantages our unusual project before purchasing, say, a game console. Firstly, there is the cost of games. PC versions of even the newest games often cost 1.5-2 times less than console alternatives. And this is not to mention the fact that the rapidly growing digital distribution market for computer games constantly offers very attractive promotions, discounts and sales. In stores like Steam, Origin, GOG, UPlay almost every day you can find dozens cool games outrageously low prices.

Secondly, mobility. This important advantage laptop not only in front of the game console, but also in front of the desktop PC. You can carry your laptop with you anywhere if necessary, and all those peripheral add-ons and accessories that are needed to turn it into an impromptu “living room gaming console” can always be kept ready and connected to mobile computer when used at home. No other gaming console or desktop computer.

Have a great day!

The console table is a shallow structure with shelves and drawers or without them. Similar furnishings in
In particular, it is intended for spacious rooms, but you can also find a place for it in small rooms. In the office, you can place souvenirs on such a stand, in the bathroom - cosmetics, in the living room - decorative elements, in the bedroom - use as a dressing table. They can also look different, for example, decorated with mosaics, painted or made of stone. Consoles are installed near the wall; they are ideal for zoning rooms. This article will describe how to make a console table with your own hands.

Making a durable and massive console table with your own hands

A DIY console table is completed in several stages after purchasing all necessary materials, fasteners and tools. The work process itself includes the following processes.

Making legs

Since our table is quite voluminous, it will need massive and large legs. It is better to purchase blanks at a hardware store.

Important! Of course, if you have a machine at home, you can make them yourself, but this will also require certain skills.

Preparation of boards:

1. To arrange the top and bottom of the table, take a board 3 m long, 20 cm wide, 10 cm thick.
2. Cut it into pieces using a circular saw. You should have four boards to make a table 150 cm long.
3. We will also need four boards 145 cm long and 10 cm thick. We will install them vertically on ready-made boards.
4. Four squares are needed along the edges so that their sides are 10 cm.

Connecting table parts

Take two square blanks 10 cm wide and 10 cm long, place a 145 cm long board on top of their ends, screw them into the end with two screws. Repeat this manipulation again, make two more blanks to make the upper and lower parts of the structure.

Screwing the legs:

1. Place three legs on a board 150 cm long and 10 cm thick, measuring their locations.
2. Screw them at these marked points.
3. Use wooden plugs to cover the holes so that you end up with a piece that can stand on its own.

Top formation:

1. Step back 2.5 cm from the edge, place the resulting workpiece on top of the board and generously coat it with wood glue on both sides.
2. Place another board on top of it.
3. Screw the end piece from below near the outer legs on the right and left using screws.

Making the lower part

Repeat the procedure described above with the bottom of the boards to end up with a table ready for painting. It's better to clean it further sandpaper.

Processing of the finished structure

Paint the table in the way that suits you best.

As a result of the work done, you will receive a durable, original, stylish console table with your own hands. The master class given in this section will allow you to do everything clearly and without the help of professionals.

What are balusters and their types?

We previously looked at how to make a cantilever structure using store-bought pre-made legs, but it can look more attractive if you make the supports yourself. Next, we will look in detail at how to make table legs from balusters. But first, let's figure out what it is. Why exactly from baluster?

The fact is that these carved columns have a very original shape, thanks to which they were previously widely used in architecture by the ancient Romans and Greeks. Modern architecture does not require the presence of such decorations, but, nevertheless, balusters are often used to decorate stairs, balconies and pieces of furniture. They themselves are functional due to their unusual shape. Depending on the this parameter, balusters are divided into three types:

1. In the form of bodies of rotation. Outwardly, they resemble a regular cylinder or a flowerpot of any shape. They are made on lathes, thanks to which each post has a finished look. This form is considered the most popular.
2. Slotted. They are made from boards, so they are mainly used in attics, that is, technical stairs. They are decorated with through figured holes.
3. Sculptural. Such balusters have a more complex free form, in fact, that’s why they are made exclusively by hand or using a machine with big amount axes.

Important! Today they are produced from the most different materials- it can be stone, concrete, wood, polymer compounds.

How to make a console for a hallway with balusters with your own hands?

Now we will learn how to make a table with legs from balusters with our own hands. The most important thing is that you can use an old regular table for this. Or just take an old tabletop and buy beautiful baluster legs.

Important! This is a great opportunity to save money and get a new, high-quality, original decorative element. This furniture is ideal for narrow hallways. Do you have little space in your hallway, do you adore miniature things, or do you like classic style? Then you will definitely like this idea.

To work you will need:

• Rectangular table or countertop.
• Two baluster legs.
• A piece of fabric is 30 cm, width 1.2 m.
• Aerosol adhesive for fabrics.
• Jigsaw.
• Screwdriver.
• Scissors.
• Pencil.
• Roulette.
• Self-tapping screws.
• Sandpaper.
• Metal corner.
• Masking tape.

You can make such a console table with your own hands without legs or with them according to the following scheme:

1. If you use a table for work, cut it lengthwise into two parts. Use a pencil and tape measure for marking. Sand the edges with sandpaper to avoid scratches.
2. Attach baluster legs to the base on both sides.
3. WITH reverse side Attach metal corners to our tabletop so that one is located clearly in the center, the other two - at the edges.
4. Cover the edges of the table with masking tape. Prepare a piece of fabric and spray glue over the surface of the table.
5. Apply the cloth to the tabletop, being careful not to create bubbles. Trim the remaining fabric around the edges.
6. After the glue has dried, remove the tape.
7. Attach the free part of our mounting angle to the wall so that there are no gaps between the console and the wall.

Perhaps many have old laptop or an obsolete computer. It’s a pity to throw away such a unit, and you won’t get any money from it on the private classifieds site.

Instead of leaving the old man collecting dust in the far corner of the closet, it can be perfectly adapted to a retro console. In this article I will talk about own experience turning a well-worn laptop into an excellent simulator for Sega, Dendy and PS1.

What you need for a full-fledged retro console

First of all, let's decide on the list of necessary peripherals, software and everything that is needed to bring a “second life” to an old piece of hardware.

- Actually, the laptop or PC itself. Of course, a worker, with ancient Windows XP or a tired “Seven”. The power of the device practically does not matter. If Windows XP runs on it, at least one USB port works and there is an output to external monitor, the candidate is ready for reincarnation.

- USB flash drive. The volume here directly affects the number of games that you can install. If native toys from Sega or Dendy take up 100 - 200 KB, then with CD images from Sony PlayStation the first generation is a little more serious. Distributions take up from 300 MB to 700 – 800 MB. In a word, than more memory with a flash drive, so much the better.

- Gamepad, or better yet two. Absolutely any controller with a USB port will do: even from a renowned manufacturer, even from Auchan for a couple of hundred rubles. If you want to have a real battle, buy a couple at once.

- External monitor or TV + appropriate cable and adapter. Everything here is strictly individual. If you have HDMI, you need an appropriate cable that fits your TV. DVI or VGA - it doesn’t matter, the main thing is to get the picture from the laptop to be displayed on the TV screen.

However, having an external monitor is not necessary, although it is highly desirable. It's much more pleasant to experience a feeling of nostalgia on the big screen.

Preparing the image

Launch our retro games we will be in a specially designed operating system Recalbox, built on Linux based. But instead of the usual Linux, there is a well-prepared interface, tailored to the gaming component.

Well, a flash drive in your hands, an adequate laptop or PC based on it (it’s not necessary to create a distribution kit on an old one), let’s start preparing the drive.

1. Download the Recalbox image by selecting PC 32 bit (preferably) or PC 64 bit (depending on your PC). The distribution kit is possible

2. Now we need to install the downloaded image onto the flash drive, making it bootable. Insert the flash drive into your laptop or PC and load it special utility Etcher[Download] and install it.

With the help of Etcher, in just a few minutes you can prepare the flash drive we need without delving into the nuances of creating bootable drives.

In Etcher, select the downloaded image -> Select the flash drive -> Click Flash. We are waiting for the copying to finish.

3. Now it's time to download Recalbox on your old PC or laptop. Insert the USB flash drive, restart the computer and select the USB flash drive as the boot source.

For this:

- on Mac computers : hold down the key Option until the Apple logo appears and select a flash drive from the list;

- on Windows-compatible PCs or laptops: go to Bios and in the list of settings find the item "First Boot Device". There must be a USB drive installed there.

How to get into Bios depends on specific model laptop or motherboard. The most commonly used keys to press when booting are: Del (Delete), F10, F2. One of them will definitely suit you.

After a couple of minutes you will see the Recalbox logo and you can consider most of the work done.

Necessarily connect a gamepad because the controls are optimized for this type using the Recalbox manipulator from the keyboard is still torture.

Where to get games and how to install them

The games shown in the screenshot were installed independently

By default, Recalbox comes with a few old-school toys included. Of the presented consoles: Super Nintendo, Sega, Gameboy Advanced and the classic shooter game Doom.

I’ll say right away that the preinstalled set of games will disappoint you, to put it mildly. Therefore, we need to download what we played at the dawn of consoles.

Fortunately, the network has almost the entire collection, which in the early 90s would have taken up a couple of rooms littered with glitchy and hated cartridges.

You cannot install games in Recalbox by simply copying them to a flash drive. Don't even try. To do this, you need to connect your PC or laptop to the network.

You can download games from the following sites:

• Emu-Land is a Russian-language site where dozens of consoles are presented;

In fact, there are hundreds of sites and if you want you can find anything you want. Google to the rescue.

Each game is presented in ZIP archive. We need it to upload to Recalbox. As I wrote above, you won’t be able to copy the game to a flash drive. We need to connect our PC or laptop to the network.

Ideally, use the built-in Ethernet port, since you don't need to connect to it. additional settings. Pasted twisted pair into our makeshift console and you're done.

Do you want Wi-Fi? Then open the settings in Recalbox (Start button on the gamepad) -> Network settings -> Enable WiFi -> set network settings and password.

When the connection is successfully established, you will see the IP address issued to our “console”. You remember it and enter it into the address of your main laptop (not the ancient one). In my case it is 192.168.0.1

Advice: For loading big games use an FTP manager. The games that can be downloaded from the Recalbox web interface are limited in size.

The Recalbox interface will open. To download games in the sidebar, open ROM's and select the required platform. Then click Upload ROM's and upload the downloaded archive.

After the download is complete, you need to restart Recalbox on your laptop. Installed game will immediately appear in the list.

Feel free to click Start and enjoy the gameplay from 10 to 30 years ago. Good game!

This article will focus on the console in Counter-Strike Global Offensive. Any gamer who played SC 1.6 or Source could easily open the console by pressing the Tilde key to view the error log and enter commands for cheats. Kidding.

The console is indeed a very convenient feature of the game. Using the console, you can change sight settings, give yourself the necessary weapons, find out fps and much more that is not shown standard menu"Options\Options". To open the console in previous versions CS, you had to press the tilde key (~\е). But no matter how much you press the tilde in CS GO, the console will not appear.

Here the developers got smart and hid the command in the menu.

The key to call the console is the tilde “~”. But in CS: GO, by default, the ability to call the console by pressing a key is disabled. In order to enable a console call you need:

1. Go to the game -> Settings -> Game options.

2. Next, put “Yes” next to the “Enable developer console” item.

3. Then go to Settings -> Keyboard / Mouse.

4. There you can select the key responsible for calling the console. In my case it is the “\” key. Before you set a specific key to call the console, think about whether you have chosen a convenient key? Will you accidentally hit it in the middle of a firefight? Believe me, a console crashing to the floor of the screen will not help you at all during a tense moment in MatchMaking. Customize the game for yourself. This will help you.

I did everything according to the manual, but I still can’t open the console. What to do?

The most common mistake: the user forgets to switch the keyboard layout. If the Russian language is activated, then nothing can be written in the console. If you can't switch the language in a standard way, you should go to the “Language Options” tab and delete all languages ​​except English.

If the above instructions did not help, you should go to the CFG folder and find the Toogleconsole item. The f5 key, which is set by default, will be written in quotes. Change to the “~” symbol.

Why do you need a console in CS:GO?

The console may be needed for:

• Input