For me personally a centred keyboard is much more important than a separate number block. When touch typing I don't need the number block, but typing text on a

For me personally a centred keyboard is much more important than a separate number block. When touch typing I don't need the number block, but typing text on a left-aligned keyboard "hurts". For me it was even the criteria for having bought a 14" laptop instead of a 15" (ThinkPad). But then I have special requirements. I can understand that for people using arrow keys a lot or entering tons of numbers the extra number block is important. I have seen several times that accountants bought external number blocks because their laptops didn't have it (and I think because in France entering numbers is extra difficult due to the AZERTY layout - you have to press SHIFT for the digits). So it's really about ergonomy due to habits. I think the best would be if vendors would provide several keyboard options - centred, with or without trackpoint, different layouts even in non-US countries (this is something that Lenovo provides for ThinkPads and I am very happy about).