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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."

2 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Just switch to left handed mousing! by brianmf · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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...

  2. Try a laptop! by aquarian · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I switched to a laptop, and I'm never going back. Thinkpads have the best keyboards ever.