TKL keyboards are a lot more ergonomic. Getting a separate mechanical numpad and putting it on the left side of the board also boosts productivity considerably
It took a little while to get used to the smooshed layout. For the first week or two I kept hitting numlock when reaching for backspace. But I did get used to it and I enjoy having nearly all the keys (no print screen, FYI) with a footprint about the same as my old TKL board.
Exactly! I have tried 40%(which is utter hell on earth), 60%, and TKL and it never lasts more than a day where I get so frustrated at the lack of numpad and calculation keys.
The keyboard I brought to work is a Royal Kludge RK920 with reds(nothing special) because no one here likes hearing blues.
Try putting the numpad on a layer underneath the homerow (456 being SDF) and the layer key being something easy to reach that has no business being on the base layer (I’m looking at you, Capslock).
It’s a game changer for me. Not having to move my left hand from home row and being able to input numbers while using the mouse
Numpads feel like a keyboard wearing a padded bra. Like I get it why you would want it, but its clearly redundant and largely pointless. No shame in having just what you need and needing just what you have.
Like unless you’ve got a job that requires 10 key (and at that point, like brah, why even?), I fail to understand the keypad on a modern key board
Some people wear a padded bra for comfort, not looks. Ironic that you use the word “pointless”, because the padding helps with… points. So it can actually be quite practical.
Likewise, the numpad can be more about comfort, even for a little ol admin/service person. I use both sets of number keys depending on - well, I’m not sure, just whatever feels right.
Spoken like someone who clearly doesn’t work in finance.
The numpad is essential for my work. You’re not seeing it from the perspective of myself who uses it as a calculator with automatic text entry while producing documents and estimations. That is my job, and it requires the numpad/calculator layout.
Thinking of your needs, it’d be cool if there were keyboards that could attach/detach. Like say you want something for gaming it can be 60% or TKL. But then you want a full keyboard for work. You would just be able to connect it together and boom, just works right away.
However, I agree with the others. I think you get the best build quality using a standalone mechanical numpad. If I was going to get a split design, I’d probably get an Ergodox or Keychron Q11 QMK or something similar.
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TKL keyboards are a lot more ergonomic. Getting a separate mechanical numpad and putting it on the left side of the board also boosts productivity considerably
You can also get a side number pad
https://www.keychron.com/pages/keychron-q0-customizable-mechanical-number-pad
its not the most convenient but it is still good for saving space if you have a smaller form factor board.
And keychron also has some nice keyboards with numpad.
Or just get a side numpad?
Any suggestion on a smaller form factor wireless?
I’m running the Keychron K4: https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k4-wireless-mechanical-keyboard-version-2
It took a little while to get used to the smooshed layout. For the first week or two I kept hitting numlock when reaching for backspace. But I did get used to it and I enjoy having nearly all the keys (no print screen, FYI) with a footprint about the same as my old TKL board.
I like my Keychron K4
Exactly! I have tried 40%(which is utter hell on earth), 60%, and TKL and it never lasts more than a day where I get so frustrated at the lack of numpad and calculation keys.
The keyboard I brought to work is a Royal Kludge RK920 with reds(nothing special) because no one here likes hearing blues.
Aren’t there USB numpads you can get?
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Try putting the numpad on a layer underneath the homerow (456 being SDF) and the layer key being something easy to reach that has no business being on the base layer (I’m looking at you, Capslock). It’s a game changer for me. Not having to move my left hand from home row and being able to input numbers while using the mouse
I think its great.
Numpads feel like a keyboard wearing a padded bra. Like I get it why you would want it, but its clearly redundant and largely pointless. No shame in having just what you need and needing just what you have.
Like unless you’ve got a job that requires 10 key (and at that point, like brah, why even?), I fail to understand the keypad on a modern key board
Some people wear a padded bra for comfort, not looks. Ironic that you use the word “pointless”, because the padding helps with… points. So it can actually be quite practical.
Likewise, the numpad can be more about comfort, even for a little ol admin/service person. I use both sets of number keys depending on - well, I’m not sure, just whatever feels right.
Spoken like someone who clearly doesn’t work in finance.
The numpad is essential for my work. You’re not seeing it from the perspective of myself who uses it as a calculator with automatic text entry while producing documents and estimations. That is my job, and it requires the numpad/calculator layout.
Thinking of your needs, it’d be cool if there were keyboards that could attach/detach. Like say you want something for gaming it can be 60% or TKL. But then you want a full keyboard for work. You would just be able to connect it together and boom, just works right away.
This exists!
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is an 80% “optical mechanical” with a detachable numpad. Mountain also makes several TKLs and an 60% (the Everest 60) with a detachable numpad. You could also make one using the KBDcraft Kit Adam and Kit Addams.
However, I agree with the others. I think you get the best build quality using a standalone mechanical numpad. If I was going to get a split design, I’d probably get an Ergodox or Keychron Q11 QMK or something similar.