External keyboard advise please

[Cyn]

I have been using a laptop for years and shunned my external 
keyboards until recently. I bought a 17" PB that doesn't fit on the 
lower keyboard tray like the TiBook did. Now when at the desk, I put 
the Albook on the top of the desk and an external Apple keyboard on 
the tray. Holy Cow this keyboard is killing me!! Not only do I have 
to work harder at lifting the fingers higher, I then have to push 
further down to get the keys to respond! Also, everything seems to 
take longer as I am not use to reaching over to the mouse 
(trackball). With the laptop I didn't have to lift my hand all the 
time as the track pad was right there. Nothing like what I am use to 
with the laptop keyboard. Not only that, the clicking, clacking noise 
of the keys is terrible!

Here are my choices:

1) Someone recommends a firmer, less noisy keyboard that more 
resembles the laptop keyboard.

2) I put the 17" PB on the desk keyboard tray to use the laptop 
keyboard (it will fit but the viewing angle stinks) and hook then 
hook up a LCD to it.

2a) If I put a lcd with the PB, do I lose anything in the process, 
like any speed, etc. of the pb?

2c) What other things should I consider regarding hooking up a 20" LCD?