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In Search of Compact Keyboard That Doesn't Suck?

Posted by Cliff on from the nix-the-keypad dept.

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."

3 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Many choices by eyeball · · Score: 4, Informative

    Behold. The Happy Hacking Lite 2 keyboard at the bottom of that page may be your best bet.

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  2. IBM Model M Space Saver by BitchKapoor · · Score: 4, Informative

    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!

  3. Re:Logitech dinovo laser by obi · · Score: 3, Informative

    I agree with parent.

    I've got the dinovo for a while too (with the MX900/bluetooth), and been very happy with the keyboard especially. I hardly use the keypad (the screen would be nice if only it worked under linux, and the integrated calculator is ok, but a bit limited) The MX900 mouse is a bit heavy and doesn't always recharge properly - I'll probably buy a wired mouse soon.

    But the keyboard is top notch. Feels like it's very good quality (for the price, it better be). I prefer the soft/shallow keys of this keyboard, over the typewriter heavy/deep/IBM keys, so that's something you might want to consider. And it's bluetooth, so I can use it with my laptop too, and probably even with my Nokia 770 (haven't tried this yet though)