I saw a post recently proposing an alternate compact layout for keyboards, trying to find a compromise between saving space but retaining functionality, which is something I like since I've been interested in the idea for a while but don't like the layout on anything I've seen before. To that end, this is what I would propose:
My thought process was this:
- Strip all the extra crap from the numpad that isn't numbers. Does anyone even use the secondary functions anyway?
- Take the arrow keys and "6 key block" and simply shift them over as-is with no rearrangement and drop them on top as secondaries. By retaining the layout, usability is (I think) preserved.
Only getting to actually use this creation for a while would allow me to know if I truly like it for day to day operation, but short of that, I think it's the best I can come up with. What do you think?
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That's actually very similar to what Dell & Steelseries did for the G7 7588's keyboard layout.
Except, y'know, yours is for full-fledged desktops. The fact that it's a standalone keyboard might be enough to evade lawsuits.
I would also check Drop.com to see if anyone's already made this exact layout.
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Hm, well I guess it's a matter of opinion when it comes to how similar two layouts are. Like mine, this has the numpad right next to the main keys while forgoing/moving the other ones, as opposed to many small desktop boards which keep those others and remove the numpad, but other than that it seems very different to what I proposed. Additionally, it looks like a very typical laptop layout - my HP from 2011 has something nearly exactly like it. It certainly works, particularly in the long term, but getting used to where each manufacturer has chosen to put home/end/etc. is always a slight pain at first. That's one area where I think my layout is superior. Additionally, laptops always seem to settle for these squished arrow keys, or worse, the ones like Razer have used before that genuinely interfere with typing. This is another area where I think my layout is better because it retains full normal arrow keys without sacrificing anything outside their footprint - that is, with one exception. If you only need one set or the other at any given time, mine is great, but where it falls flat is if your task requires alternating between typing numbers and navigating with arrows or home/end constantly. For that, this laptop layout would be clearly more convenient.
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Personally I've never actually found a full width to be inconvenient or encroaching on the mouse so this is more of a thought experiment than a practical desire but I like it all the same
And with that, how about this to address the above issue? Keep in mind the arrow keys could go there, or over to the right by "1", with other keys like 0, ., and enter changing/moving as necessary if that worked better.
The more I think about it the more I realize that layout is (unless you simply retain full standard layout) a compromise and how you do that kind of needs to be tailored to each person. What might be a priority to some would not be for others and so there probably is no ideal method or objective better or worse, just things that are better or worse for a specific task.
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I use home/end/page up/page down/delete keys far too often. Wouldn't want them combined with the numpad.
I'd probably hate it. But I'd still like to give it a try and see.
- TopHatProductions115 and Eschew
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I don't think I'd ever want to go back to having to actually toggle num lock off again. Few things ever make me more angry than using a number pad and hitting those secondary functions. Plus the 6/9+4 blocks is crazy conveniently compressed relative to their individual goals, so I happen to like both of them a lot.
Num pad on the left is definitely something I'd grow to love though. Except that some stupid ass games don't like numpad numbers. I forget how or why that's an issue, but someday I need to just strip the second layer and make the num pad always on in truth.
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Yeah I really don't understand why there is even a second layer on a traditional fullsized board. Everything it offers with numlock off is just a less convenient duplication of other buttons that already exist.
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