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In Search of Compact Keyboard That Doesn't Suck?
dlaur asks: "I am a right-handed programmer who doesn't use the numeric keypad. While some may appreciate it, I find that it forces me to place my mouse too far away and I would prefer a more compact keyboard. I depend upon easy access to the navigation keys (arrows/ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdn) while programming, and I find that, while compact keyboard layouts do eliminate the numeric keypad, they also cram the navigation keys into unnatural places. Does anyone manufacture a 'standard layout' keyboard sans keypad? Tip for entrepreneurs: I'll pay a lot for one."
You have short arms, like a T-Rex.
I've bought this one 2 months ago, for exactly the same reason.I like it a lot although it could have been better if it had been in the natural design. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /NL/EN,CRID=2158,CONTENTID=10777
Behold. The Happy Hacking Lite 2 keyboard at the bottom of that page may be your best bet.
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2B1ASK1
Don't those keyboards that they make for laptops usually come sans numpad? I thought they did...
Show this to your friends and family that don't know what a real hacker is
Did you try switching your mouse to the LHS of your keyboard?
I did this about six months ago, and havent looked back since. Typical setups put too many common functions on the RHS. Having the arrow keys, pgUp, pgDown, numeric keypad, del and mouse all in a small area is crazy. Switching the mouse to the LHS (and reversing the buttons) is the way to go. It allows you to use the mouse and the keyboard at the same time.
Just takes about a week to get used to it...
Dude, I use the IBM Model M Space Saver keyboard, and it's totally awesome. It's just like a regular Model M high-durability buckling-spring keyboard, except minus the numeric keypad. Here's a page with a picture comparing the Space Saver to a full M and a Happy Hacking. This other page depicts the more typical beige Model M Space Saver, albeit retrofitted for Dvorak. BitchKapoor, over and out!
I like the IBM Trackpoint SpaceSaver. In addition to being a nice compact keyboard, the Trackpoint is great for people who don't like to reach for the mouse all the time.
Software development is not just writing code -- a substantial portion of the development process involves numerical analysis, and tools (spreadsheets for example) are essential for many kinds of analytics. Using an analytics tool without a numeric keypad is a bit like writing software on... a blackberry. There are mini (85-90 key) keyboards out there without embedded numpads, but even an embedded numpad can be awkward to use regularly. Something to consider in your search anyway. A handful of my colleagues have solved this problem by training themselves to use the mouse left-handed.
That's what I did, I have my SUN Type6 (Because I keep forgetting to order the Type5 USB adaptor) and my laptop keyboard equidistant, and in front of them is my huge (30x48cm IIRC) mousepad with my laser mouse on it, works brilliantly.
/* FUCK - The F-word is here so that you can grep for it */
I love the tactile and auditory feedback of the Model M, however in my cubicle environment they are too loud - neighbors complain.
Does anyone know of a buckling spring design that has exactly the same feel of the model M without the loud sound. I would dealy love to get rid of the dome keyboard I am using now.
...cut if off. I did and it's GREAT. took a little while to re-center my typing. I was hunting to the left for a but it's OK now. You need the right kb for this: a membrane one. I found an old compaq [160648-202] and you can fold the membrane of the num-pad under the remaining kb after you saw off the num-pad and bolt it back together.
Easy, more room for gimpish mousing and it just looks better.
Think Geek has this: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/77ba/ A keyboard where you can tile the keys however you feel like. It's for gamers but I'm sure you could make it work for your purposes.
[signature]
6 Cherry-Burrell compact keyboards sitting in my basement. Essentially they are laptop keyboards, and all they need is a nice connector and a base to put them on. I use them for servers, etc.
I switched to a laptop, and I'm never going back. Thinkpads have the best keyboards ever.
Images courtesy of Google
(the enter keys are on the right side too...)
;).
I switched some years back when I got a bit of RSI on right hand. So it's not for the same reason, but there's no real disadvantage.
Now I can use the mouse with both hands, but left hand is more for normal desktop mousing, right hand is for games - FPS etc
Some of my colleagues thought I was left handed...
Oh yeah, I suggest you don't change the mouse button settings, that way you can use most people's mouse configs with either hand.
They have a removable keypad that can also be used as a calculator.
Or as most would have it, paperweight.
Comes in two varieties, the desktop version (for $270) or the laptop wireless version with USB dongle (for $120). I'm seriously considering getting one for myself, but they seem to have no idea where the enter exactly is and the left shift button is mangled, so I'm not sure I'm going to mispress a few keys. Seeing the wear on my current keyboard I'm pressing the enter button in the middle so I'd regularly have a \ at the end of my lines.
Also, they appear to have misplaced the insert button.
Of course, I'm a touch typist who worries too much about those things.
I've been using a TypeMatrix for a little over a year. The points I like are the non staggered keys, and, on the model I use, a Dvorak switch and labels. It took a little getting used to, but I find it well worth it. The arrow keys are easily reached with the right hand. The price isn't bad either at around $100.
The only drawback I've found are the insert, home, end, page up and page down keys as they are function shifted from the F8 through F12 keys. Hardly a problem, I just remapped them.
TypeMatrix
Jon
I quite like my Logitech Mouseman Traveler M-BJ79, but it doesn't seem to be available any more (except in Russia?), and I need another (full size) mouse at work.
thanks...
You could always just chop off the num pad... http://www.tlb.org/keyboardchop.html
Does anyone know where I can buy a microswitch USB keyboard? Everything I find seems to be membrane (which I hate). Personally I like microswitch better than buckling spring (though Type Ms are still quite fun). In line with the topic, it'd probably be nice if it didn't have the numeric pad as well (though for gaming, that's pretty great!)
You could convert a laptop keyboard for use with desktop computers. The person in that article made it harder on himself by not matchnig up the rows and columns of the keyboard with the controller.
Install Ubuntu in Android
My wife recently asked me about getting her a smaller keyboard - basically, she wants a full set of keys (number pad and all - she knows 10 keying, and uses it all the time), just a smaller keyboard, to help save space and to fit her hands better as they are smaller than average. If they made a keyboard where all the keys were 2/3s to 3/4s the size of the keys on a regular keyboard, it would probably be perfect. I tend to wonder if such a keyboard would be good for younger kids? Anyhow, I told her I would look into it, but I am not expecting a revelation - and if I find something, it will likely be very expensive (same as her other request - she would seriously like to get an LCD monitor for her computer smaller than 15" - while such monitors exist, they are for niche applications, like point-of-sale terminals. As such they are very expensive).
I am also looking for a wireless keyboard for an HTPC-type application. Ideally, it would be small (no keypad needed), with a built in mouse pointing system (no separate mouse). It would also be nice if there was a separate wireless remote control-like controller included (for times where you just want to point-n-click, no typing needed). I don't hold out much hope finding that, either...
Reason is the Path to God - Anon
ThinkPlus USB Travel Keyboard with UltraNav http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P roductDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&lang Id=-1&dualCurrId=1000073&categoryId=2581898&produc tId=8717673
This is basically the ThinkPad keyboard. It's great--pointing stick and trackpad.
William F. Garrity Director of Biomedical Libraries Dartmouth College/Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchco
I know the poster said he was right-handed, but for lefties, you might want to consider using your mouse on the left side of your keyboard. Access to the numeric keypad is amazing, and you can program the bejesus out of it for FPS games (0 = jump, Enter = secondary fire, Plus = zoom, etc.).
I've been using my mouse left handed for close to 9 years now, and other than bugging the shit out of people who sit down to use my computer (which can be a tremendous advantage itself), it works out great.
A keyboard/LCD combination in the same form-factor as a laptop, with all the laptop trimmings like a trackpad, speakers, DVD-Rom, USB ports, etc, but without the motherboard, battery, harddrive.. I do most of my work on a laptop on the couch, but I really could use the power of a real desktop. VNC and a normal laptop would be an option, but would restrict the use of video, 3D acceleration. Tethered using real DVI & USB connections would be much better, or multiple video signals could even be multiplexed over a signal to do picture-in-picture (i.e.: watching an inset HD HDMI video from a cable box while).
There would be other uses as well: Network and server facility engineers could use it for a portable console while working on equipment. It may have field use. It could also be useful for folks confined to a wheelchair.
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2B1ASK1
I wanted for a long time to get a compact keyboard, and was hoping to find somewhere a happy hacking lite keyboard. Not much chance to get one in Germany, but I've found out that cherry released a line of compact and slim keyboard. I'm using a G84-4100 since 2/3 years, and they are great (you can even wash them in the dishwasher):n e_g84-4100.htm
...o n-line_cymotion_pro_wireless_desktop.htm
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/compact/slim-li
I've noticed that they've released some compact wireless version a couple of weeks ago and Im wondering if I should try one for the other computer
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/wireless/cymoti
Cheers,
Guillaume
FrogPad's iPad Bluetooth thing is really cool - except that if you are a programmer no good access the [ ( ] ) { } ' s
-- Eric
Maybe this is what you're looking for?
But yeah, it is stupid that the standard keyboard contains a numeric keypad. Only useful for people who have to enter a lot of numbers. Which I'm sure there are, but 95% of us don't.
I use a Goldtouch keyboard. Which not only uses less space, but is split down the middle to allow you to position your hands naturally. Right now, I'm using one on a tiny keyboard shelf that would barely have room for a 103 keyboard, but has plenty of room for both a Goldtouch and a mouse.
Not sure which compact keyboards you're complaining about that have unnatural cursor keys. There are some, but most are good enough, including the Goldtouch.
Who needs arrow keys when you've got vi?
HJKL to the rescue - you will never look back (and you will never get those random escape-[ strings inserted into your document that you sometimes get with arrow keys in an xterm either).
When information is power, privacy is freedom.
The only problem is I never found one with the exact layout that I like (wide backspace, tall enter with a backslash nestled up to it.)
Fuck the system? Nah, you might catch something.
http://www.pckeyboard.com/surfer.html the space saver from unicomp looks like a nice model it also comes with a built in fuzzy nipple mouse and ps/2 mouse port
Snowden and Manning are heroes.
what, you mean like h, j, k, and l?
or do you mean the ever more popular w-asd setup?
I had the same problem, i wanted the narrower keyboard so it would leave more room for making those deft mouse moves in Quake. I was looking for a good one for a long time but found it totally by accident. I was at Circuit City looking for something else entirely, when I happened to stroll through the console games area. There it was on the shelf, a tiny keyboard made by logitech for the Playstation 2. It has a standard usb cable and works perfectly on my pc. It even has the WIN key, which has a picture of the Logitech logo instead of the windows emblem, but it works the same in Windows. Here's the website: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /CA/EN,CRID=2282,CONTENTID=6636
or do a google search on "logitech playstation keyboard". It's the first search result. The website or the box doesn't say anything about it working with a pc, but I can assure you it works 100% like any other keyboard on a pc. I've been using mine for about a year without a single problem. Plus it's cheap, ~$20, a lot cheaper than most of the previous suggestions. See: http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-Logitech_LOGITECH_9671 99_0100_USB_KEYBOARD_FOR_PS2 Give it a try, it's a real gem.
I'm posting this from my brand new Kinesis keyboard. It's not really compact, and whether the arrow keys are located someplace sane is debatable, you can have the mouse nice and close to your right hand. I do admit they've got some really cool ideas for keyboard & mouse input, they just take a little bit to retrain your hands to the different layout. Fortunately, you're already prepared to pay a lot for the keyboard. Their products are not cheap: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/
Looking for a computer support specialist for your small business? Check out
I had a similar problem at work... made worse by the fact that our lovely office has these "ergonomic" desktops with a center that lowers for the keyboard. Well to keep the mouse there, you have to place the keyboard to the left...
I may still look at a narrower keyboard, but in the meantime I have a logitech media keyboard that cost me about $30 and has excellent feel.
And I bought a Mouse Bridge. The link is jsut an example, do a search on google to find others. It's a small platform which sits over the numeric keypad on which you can place your mouse.
It's nice because it raise the mouse up to the same level as your hands. The main problem is that it's a small surface. I use a Microsoft wireless laptop mouse, which helps with the size issue. the other issue then is if you use a laser/optical mouse, the surface is smooth plastic and doesn't work well. I cut a 3M Precise Mousing Surface down to size and glued it on top.
The result works pretty well.
Anyway, it's a thought.
While they don't immediately come to mind when `not expensive' is mentioned, Sony makes some good small-sized laptops that feature small keyboards (both keycaps and spacing), and nice-quality small screens. While the latest and greatest Sony Vaois are pretty expensive, you can often find previous generations at affordable prices, and many of these devices are good travelling DVD players as well.
For both your needs and the OP, there are a number of `media keyboards' seemingly designed for living room use that might serve well -- these typically have many extra keys for navigation, program-hotkeys, etc. Even if these keys aren't labelled ins/del/pgup/pgdown/etc, that should be an easy problem to solve.
Finally, an alternative approach from my own experience: at a prior job where my desk had a good keyboard tray, I took an old buckling-spring keyboard with trackpoint (mine was from Lexmark, but I hear that UniComp owns that line now), removed the keycaps from the numeric keypad, and mounted my Logitech TrackMan Marble in that space.
It's not for everyone, but for me, clicky-keys+trackpoint+trackball-numkeys was nearly perfect.
It's essentially a tablet pc without the pc. Crappy resolution, but it works wirelessly. The biggest problem though: it's about the same heft and thickness as a normal tablet pc.
What I'd like is one that works wirelessly, 1280x1024 or greater res., has a detachable keybord/touchpad, and is at least as light and thin as a good laptop. Of course, it would probably cost as much as a real laptop as the lcd alone is more than half the price.
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I was looking for the perfect keyboard for the longest time and I found one that I now absolutely love. Two of my friends loved it so much they got one for themselves. It's made by Kensington and I got it at Newegg. I was looking down their list of keyboards and saw that it had 34 reviews. I figured any keyboard that was worth writing a review for had to be good. It uses the scissor-switch laptop like keys so it's really responsive. I find it really strange and slow typing on a normal keyboard now. It has the keypad which you said you don't need but it still is a very narrow keyboard. It also has multimedia keys at the top which I'll find useful when playing CDs. All in all for 30 dollars it's quite decent. Here's the link:
2 E16823155003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N8
Good luck with your search!
Two days late, but it was the weekend. You might check out dvortyboards.com. forTheir order page is here and they are switchable boards labeled dvorak and qwerty boards and qwerty only, but take a look at the 2030. The nav buttons are to the right of the spacebar where the Alt, Windows, and Control buttons would be. If you need the numpad, hit the numlock button at the top right, and the grey keys become your numpad. The enter and backspace keys are now in the middle of the keyboard where you can hit them with your index fingers, the caps lock is out of the way in the top center, and there is an extra shift key next to the Ctrl and Alt buttons to aid in executing keyboard commands. I don't see a windows key, but maybe that's what the start button is for.
I was looking for the same thing you were, except also cheap. I found http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2282,CONTENTID=6636 this Logitech NetPlay Gkeyboard at a Gamerz store, and finally bought one when I saw it at a Best Buy for 19.95. It recognizes as a standard USB HID keyboard, feels like a laptop KB, and has an 8 foot cord. Most of the keys are normal sized, except for the top 2 rows (number keys and Function keys). Also, not being a "windows" keyboard, there is no "menu" button between the right hand Alt & Ctrl. The most important feature for me is a native Delete key, for getting into BIOSs.
aaaand...whee!
I have a Happy Hacking Keyboard lite 2 to have the mouse close and all keys within finger reach. I like the place of the Control-key as its easy to reach. But if I get very tired, I sometimes press both ctrl and A together. The next keypress then replaces everything. When this happen I know its time to get some sleep.
right here (saw link on fark)
Sig: I stole this sig.