Hello everyone and as you can from the tittle, i am a new pc gamer. I just recently made the switch from xbox to my new laptop i just bought for just skyrim.
I was wondering how pc games work. Do i have to install them and if so will it take a long time? Also i am buying a physical copy from gamestop. And also how are the controls, as for xbox left and right buttons use the corresponing hand moves.
I imagine this might be a little bit confusing for me having to use a mice since i generally use the left clicker.

For me, the jump from console controls to computer controls has been too steep a curve to climb. Good luck.

It takes minutes to install, at the most about 20.
You can play with your home X box 360 controller if you'd like, but you'll need a receiver which costs about 10-15 bucks from amazon.com.
PC controls are superior usually for first person games, the mouse gives you pin point accuracy when aiming, while you move with your keyboard hand and cast spells.
I am left handed and have been PC gaming since the early 1990s, what button you click doesn't matter, you can reset them to anything you want.

Then buy a controller for your pc.

Well... uh... welcome aboard.

Anyways, first off you need to install Steam on your notebook because it's required to play the game. Just insert the disc and it will basically install itself, you just have to click NEXT till it's finished.

As for the controls, they will be fully customizable on PC so you can map the keys however you want.

As a left hander, I use the mouse with my left hand, and the directional arrows to walk.

Insert, home, page up, delte, end, and page down are all mapped to inventory and abilities, as is the numpad, and R control, R shift, enter, \, and backspace. Spacebar as well.
Don't be intimidated by the keyboard.

You will have colors that are about ten times as brilliant and bright than any TV could hope to display, if you're using a computer display. Resolution will make textures smooth and your eye will see no pixelation if you have the power for it.

Play some first person games, fps oblivion bioshock etc etc, until your used to keyboard/mouse. It took me a while to get over the learning curve, but once I did I would never go back to consoles. Never.

It has never even occured to me that there could be gamers out there who have never played a PC game. Surreal.
Yes, you have to install it. No, it probably won't take a long time.
Default controls: WASD for moving, left mouse button for attacking with your main hand, right mouse button for blocking/attacking with your off-hand, etc.

PC gaming is the best thing that will ever happen to you, I guarantee it. Mouse and keyboard can take some getting used to (or so I'm told, I'm a native PCer, gamepads feel weird to me), but once you get accustomed to it you'll never want to go back to the imprecise joystick controls of consoles. I hope you got a pretty decent (aka pricey) laptop, as they aren't usually very game friendly. Hopefully you'll be able to run Skyrim decently, it'd be a shame if you couldn't Also, be prepared to be amazed by the large assortment of mods that will be available for Skyrim, it'll be like playing an entirely different game. Welcome to the PC, enjoy your stay.

Yeah, that's what I'll do!

Sure, let me just get my "money" and go buy something I don't need! You know what? I think I'll ride over to Best Buy in my "car" right now!

No, even better. I'll take my magic carpet, or maybe my unicorn! It's fun to pretend!

:rolleyes:

Thanks everybody for the fast replies!

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of laptop did you get?

If you've already got an Xbox360, you can plug any wired controller into your computer (as long as you get the drivers for free from the Microsoft site) and use that. No purchase necessary, unless you don't have a 360, in which case what the hell have you been gaming on? (PS3/Wii? >.>)

if uve decent system its the real type of gaming i agree however also far more addictive so beware!!
i dont find the time anymore life gets busy however
game like skyrim its kinda hard to miss
im going for this one like a grandmother going for pancakes

I have a wireless controller, which you can't use with the computer.

It may be a steep learning curve but once you start enjoying mods, you'll be hooked.

Ah, then yeah not much help to you there. Unless you feel like buying a bluetooth adapter..

The best part about the controls of most PC games is that you can configure them however the heck you want.

Start from Windows basic...

I have a dell with a nvidia 435m

i Have a dell laptop with a nvidia 435m video card
What graphics setting should i be able to play in?

What is PC gaming like? I think that one of the PC Gamer writers (from the UK version of the mag) put it nicely in their latest podcast while talking about Skyrim or something, he received a quest or something and then

"I turned around and went in the exactly opposite direction, which is very much the PC Gamer way"

Freedom and choices! :thumbsup:

I think some games, when installed, are set to certain settings depending upon your PC specifications.

You can also check out this, though it's not always reliable: http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx