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Ask HN: Are there any keyboard extensions easily attachable on a laptop?
I don't mean external numeric keypads, my laptop already has that (and never used it). I mean just a few extra modifier keys (control, alt, super, etc) which can be easily attached on a laptop and reachable by thumbs.
Take a look at the thumb keys of keyboard.io and you know exactly what I mean.
This would be very useful for programming especially in editors such as Emacs, where you want your fingers to stay on the home row for faster typing but avoid using the small fingers to prevent RSI (Repeated Strain Injury).
I've tried remapping the keys to move all the modifier keys closer to the thumbs, have tried some hacks with input-remapper [1] to redefine the keys for short-presses, long-presses, hold etc. and have tried Emacs key-chords. But I think nothing would beat having just a couple of extra keys reachable by the thumbs.
Alternatively, are there any laptops which have such keyboards with extra modifier keys?
[1] https://github.com/sezanzeb/input-remapper
- thecrumb 4y agoI'm not aware of any laptops with layouts like this. An external keyboard is the answer - ZSA is another option: https://www.zsa.io/ https://www.zsa.io/
- seansh 4y agothat looks very interesting, kind of like keyboard.io and if I had a desktop setup I'd definitely try it out, for now I can just dream of having a laptop with such a keyboard
- jaclaz 4y agoTry searching for "programmable keypad" or "macro pad", if I get it right, you want something loosely like the Falcon 8 (example only): https://www.maxkeyboard.com/shop/keyboards/mechanical-keyboards/ https://www.maxkeyboard.com/shop/keyboards/mechanical-keyboa... https://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-custom-programmable-mini-macropad-mechanical-keyboard-assembled.html https://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-custom-programm...
- seansh 4y agooh yes that's the keyword, I tried googling for an hour but didn't come across that. thanks, but those ones are really big, I'm sure they'd go really well with an external keyboard for the desktop, but I was hoping to find something smaller, like one of those thin, foldable, flexible keyboards and just attach it on my laptop: https://www.amazon.com/Foldable-Silicone-Keyboard-Waterproof-Notebook/dp/B07ZGYVXML/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=flexible+keyboard&sr=8-4 https://www.amazon.com/Foldable-Silicone-Keyboard-Waterproof...
- jaclaz 4y agoIf you look around there are smaller 2/3/4/5 keys ones (which are obviously smaller), other examples: https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Keys-Programmable-Mechanical-Keyboard-Macro-Keypad-Red-Shaft-Switch-Usb-Diy/838052186?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101094691 https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Keys-Programmable-Mechanical-Ke... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hatatit-Mini-4-Keys-Macro-Mechanical-Keyboard-Gaming-Keypad-with-USB-Data-Cable-for-Windows-Mac-OSU-etc-HID-Standard-Keyboard/494687119 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hatatit-Mini-4-Keys-Macro-Mechani... but I have never seen one like the silicon keyboard, if you are into DIY there are n projects/kits to make one, and of course in these cases you can choose tiny buttons instead of keys, but a minimal size is needed because the thingy should be programmable, though nothing prevents from getting the controller from any el-cheapo USB keyboard and connect to it the keys/buttons like the original ones on the larger "normal" keyboard. Try searching also for "osu keypad".
- mmphosis 4y agoNo. The PC keyboard is stuck in the 1980s. The only innovation being the upside down T arrangement of the arrow keys. A few years ago when I started using windows, I was told that I would quickly get used to the keyboard arrangement, but I have not. Outside of work, I use Linux with AutoKey and xmodmap which is still painful but an improvement over the total inflexibility on win10. Things that are broken: Inconsistent hot keys. Function keys. Numlock. Caps lock. Shift key xor. FIrst two letters often get capitalized. Over strike mode. Useless keys: scroll lock, insert, super. An easy way to create your own layouts for multiple keyboards that get plugged in and out. We should be able to physically rearrange keys and the key code moves with the key.
- seansh 4y agoinput-mapper solved a lot of these problems in Linux for me, moving around the keys in any way I want and even scripting the keys, very easy to use and haven't had any problems yet. But there's so much you can do on the software side when the physical keyboard itself is limited to how the majority of people use it, and not necessary programmers.
- BMc2020 4y agoyou could try 'stream decks' on amazon - basically a box of buttons that are keyboard macros. Made for youtubers and live streamers so they can not have to talk and type complex commands at the same time. Xah Lee's site: http://xahlee.info/kbd/programable_keyboards_with_onboard_memory.html http://xahlee.info/kbd/programable_keyboards_with_onboard_me... probably covers every alternative input device there is. Poke around, there is a lot of interesting content there.
- seansh 4y agoah wouldn't this be cool: http://xahlee.info/kbd/kinesis_laptop.html http://xahlee.info/kbd/kinesis_laptop.html
- seansh 4y agocool, didn't know streamers got their own hardware now. I'll take a deeper look at that website for sure, lots of interesting stuff, but judging by what I've seen so far there's nothing that matches what I'm looking for, that is something small and thin enough to be placed on the laptop, as an extension to the keyboard.
- TacticalCoder 4y ago> Alternatively, are there any laptops which have such keyboards with extra modifier keys? 3 days old thread but in case you read this... Simply buy a japanese laptop and remap it as you fancy. The advantage is you'll get a tiny (narrow) spacebar (make sure to pick a laptop with a very narrow spacebar). Then you'll have several modifiers which can easily be reached with the thumbs. Source: I'm rocking a HHKB Pro JP japanese keyboard since years and years and years for my desktop (even though I don't speak japanese).
- seansh 4y agoNice, didn't think of that, I'll try that for my next laptop. The solution I came up with for now is to shift all the right-hand keys one key to the right, that way my right thumb can easily reach for the extra modifier keys next to the spacebar. Now I have alt, ctrl, shift, super and hyper.