I was looking on Apple's site at the Magic Keyboards, and I was interested to see such a large markup on the version with the numeric keypad. This got me thinking, how many people are still actually using their number pads? I used to use mine quite frequently, when I was doing checkbooks and Excel spreadsheets, but I don't find myself needing one anymore. I actually find it easier to do calculations with the 1-0 keys up top now.
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Do you still use a number pad on your keyboard?
- Thread starter retta283
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Learned keyboarding on a manual typewriter, so I began with numbers in the top row (and I for one and o for zero). But when I had an HP with a numeric keypad, that fit right in with the calculator. With the MacBook Air I am back to the top row. Biggest difficulty is remembering where "1" is!
I intentionally get keyboards without a numberpad. Having my mouse hand closer to the center of my body helps with back pain significantly that and I also learned to type on a typewriter so I've always used the 1-0 at the top of my keyboard - even as I've programmed over the last 10+ years.
Gotta have my arrow keys though. Durgod Taurus 320.
Gotta have my arrow keys though. Durgod Taurus 320.
I’m adept at both number pads and number rows, though if I’m doing a lot of number entry I prefer having the pad there. I keep a keyboard around in my classroom with a pad on it for use around exams and grade entry time, though most of the time I use the old small wired keyboard.
For any programming I generally use the number row, simply because I learned much of my coding knowledge in college on my PowerBook. No number pad there, unless you count the funky integrated thing in the main keyboard (you shouldn’t
)
For any programming I generally use the number row, simply because I learned much of my coding knowledge in college on my PowerBook. No number pad there, unless you count the funky integrated thing in the main keyboard (you shouldn’t
)
Yup; hate not having a numeric pad; so sold the Magic Keyboard and bought the full QWERTY/numeric Magic keyboard; never looked back
I'm in the same boat, sort of. I use the numpad if I have it, but it forces me to move the mouse further away which gives me shoulder pain, so I don't. I prefer the smaller keyboard without numpad from a comfort standpoint.
My only problem with them are:
- I absolutely HATE the stupid "fn" key being in the lower-left corner. I've spent 30+ years on Macs and NEVER used that key. But my fingers are trained for that spot to be taken up by the Control key.
- There are only a select few small keyboards like Apple's own Magic Keyboard out there... and most are made for use with iPads & Macs at the same time. This means that the stupid fn key is in the lower left, and many times the standard F-keys are replaced with their own idea of what I want (like three F-keys taken up with "switching" keys to quickly go from Mac to iPad, or removing an F-key for some stupid power indicator light.
- The arrow keys (even on Apple's own Magic Keyboard) are rarely the standard inverted-T setup. They're always some janky configuration that makes using them without looking difficult... and they're usually tiny.
- Different manufacturers make stupid decisions. Such as making the Shift key on the right side larger, and the Return key on the right-side smaller or moved over to accommodate it. Sometimes they move the / key, or make the Delete key smaller or larger. It seems like every manufacturer is different, and none are standardized like a full-sized keyboard.
Ah, that points out one of the advantages of being left handed.
For me, I prefer keyboards with numberpads, but being left handed I place the number section of the keyboard centered on the monitor and my chair. The mouse is to the left of the keyboard (where is belongs
) and the numberpad is displaced to the right of my "centered" hands.
I use the numeric keypad constantly as well. In fact I purchased the extended keyboard a couple of years ago, to replace the standard keyboard that came with my iMac, for this exact reason.
Sounds like a lot of others here feel the same way.
Sounds like a lot of others here feel the same way.
I don't do a lot of stuff that needs me using numbers all the time, so I have a keyboard without the numeric pad. Don't miss it either!