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Comment by civilian | Hacker News Reader

In the stackexchange thread someone pointed out that no num-pad means a shorter distance to the mouse. I really like the idea of that (I used a wireless no-numpad apple keyboard for awhile) but I also really like the functionality of the num pad. What's a good compromise?

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I use a Model M SpaceSaver: http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/paren...

The key feature is that Shift+NumLock turns the right side of the keyboard into a number pad (in hardware, no OS support required).

I was looking for a keyboard without an attached number pad that wasn't ridiculously expensive. I settled with the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile 6000. I don't need the external number pad, bluetooth, or curve but I don't mind these.

It's a solid feeling keyboard despite it's short keystrokes. I'm glad that Microsoft didn't mangle or rearrange the left control and alt keys. The home-cluster and arrow keys are squashed and partially relegated to functions, but I think this is a worthwhile trade-off. Between vim/emacs and the shell, there shouldn't be too many reasons to use these keys anyways:)

Remap capslock to control

My keyboard (Logitech DiNovo edge, I find keyboards with no tilt and short travel vastly preferential for speed and carpal tunnel) doesn't have a numpad, for those rare occasions I need one I have a dedicated number pad plugged in - it's a USB keyboard, just only the numpad part.

The MS X6 lets you move the numpad to the other side of the keyboard (or possibly leave it detached, but for mouse access those are equivalent options). I don't have one, and it's reviewed less favorably than the X4 which doesn't have the removable keypad, but it's something.

The shorter distance to the mouse is one reason I prefer laptop keyboards in general. The trackpad is centered below the keyboard, and it's always in the same place relative to the keyboard, reducing the slight time it takes to find the mouse on a conventional keyboard setup.

A separate USB number pad with a good mouse and a compact keyboard?

Or maybe an excellent trackpad and no mouse?

Left-hand mouse.

It took a long time, but I'm mouse-ambidextrous now. It actually works really well to switch several times per day.

Also, the Kinesis Classic/Advantage has a button which toggles right half to act as a 10-key.

Yes. I did that too. Extra advantage: you can use the mouse and write something down on paper with your right hand at the same time.

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