While I've used laptops as a DM's tool, I've long tried to use something like a PDA to track my character, roll dice and store PDF copies of the rules, but the PDA never quite worked out. I once tried to take the stand off an LCD to turn it into a "battlemat", but withdrew that idea when one of the gamers near spilled their drink on it in the first session (the drink splattered on the box I built for it, luckily). I've also seen people use projectors to project a battlemat or dungeon onto the game table.
Other things I've seen that I'd love to try out are the Kindle - a document reader that you don't have to squint to see the screen.
Also, the Microsoft Surface. If you could get an application that could display a dungeon, perhaps being able to activate traps, swing open doors with a touch or "walk" your miniature with your fingers, it'd be pretty sweet.
I've also seen an app on the iphone that lets you "throw" dice, though they are all 6-sided.
Netbooks with the view of the pdf rotated are actually really nice. As for the LCD screen bit, what many people who go that route do is enclose it in a case larger than the screen to prevent just such spillage ruination.
I did encase it (Thank goodness), but it was too close for comfort.
I'd also like to see the Mage Knight Battle Arena.
Ive used the projector with great success for a couple of years now.. but we moved the game to another house where setting up the projector is impractical. So I Just got a 37inch LCD now to replace that system. Gonna set that up in a week or so.
I'd really like to see an add on app, that will alllow you to play a character from the character generator., (track HP, mark of powers as used. short and extended rest buttons to reset abilities. even a die roller, altho id still use real dice..)
Personally, somethings are "sacred" and i doubt i would ever give them up.. I dont mind electronic character sheets, but you can pry my d20 from my cold undead hands... I dont mind using electronically displayed maps, but we use real minis on them. electronic tokens and markes just arnt the same.
I like to think we have a good balance between automating the game, yet still keep what makes it fun for us.
Laptops can be useful.
one of my players has an iphone which he uses somewhat at the table. I thought it would be terrific if it were possible to have a character sheet on it, but I don't know if it's possible.
We (1 DM and 5 players) play face to face once a week. I bring my laptop and use that behind the DM's screen. I use Maptool as my Digital Game Table and at first, I connected it to a 60 inch HD TV. That worked like a charm but we decided that it would be better if the players all brought their own laptops, mainly so that the players can take advantage of vision (like if the party splits up, they cannot see each other). So now, each player loads up Maptool and connects to me, the DM. I load up my maps, and the players control their own character token. I prefer playing this way vs. using a rubber battle mat. I hated using rubber since we had to draw each room as we went. heck with that - now I make the whole dungeon before game and let the players play, instead of drawing lines.
The players prefer rolling real dice but I prefer using macros to speed up the DM's portion of the game. It makes battle go much quicker and fluid like.
In addition to Maptool, I also use RPGSoundmixer to play my music during session. While it has a steep learning curve, it is the most powerful music tool available for gaming. I can make epic soundscapes that fit accordingly to certain areas of the map. Great program but unfortunately it doesn't support Vista at this point.. What I do is extract all the music from the video games I own and use that in RPGSoundmixer.
I also use DDI to make the character sheets. Can't wait for the level 3 limit to go away.
Final thoughts:
Believe it or not, 6 laptops on the table does not take any more room than a rubber battle mat so we are not cramped at all. We have never had liquid spills or computer failures due to snacks of any kind - and we have lots of snacks! The game has gone to a new level using electronics.
he keeps it on his phone.
Ive been meaning to start collecting good theme music from various movies.
But, Thats another thread
1) Music: mounting some computer speakers under your table (and connecting them to your laptop) is pretty easy, as is accumulating a bunch of soundtrack music from movies, games etc.. Players loved it, but ultimately I found it too distracting as a DM and so stopped using it.
2) Computer dice rollers: easy to find. I used "DM's Familiar" in 3.5 to excellent effect. However, I've found that using average damage instead (i.e. just roll the d20's) speeds play more, while keeping a low-tech feel.
3) Digital character sheets: definitely a priority for me, but they are still printed out for table use. WotC's 4th Edition Character Builder is the bomb.
4) On line user groups: managing my groups (between sessions) via Yahoo-groups is an organizational boon. A must.
5) PDF books: useful for searching, but they are rarely used at the table.
6) Hypertext rules: I used d20srd.org all the time in 3.5, especially during games (I had a local copy), but sadly there is no 4e equivalent... the DDI rules compendium does not suffice for this sort of use.
7) Lighting: I purchased a remote control color changing light (here) which I have high hopes for... but I can't use it until I change my current set-up.