4 ms·
> How am I supposed to write code... You write code... using the numpad? > There should be plenty of space in front of it for a full size keyboard. That's no
by TacticalCoder 3y ago
> How am I supposed to write code...
You write code... using the numpad?
> There should be plenty of space in front of it for a full size keyboard.
That's not the reason. Most people are right handed and most keyboard have the numpad at the left. Most people also put their mouse at the right of their keyboard. This makes reaching for the mouse a major nuisance. Without a numpad or with a numpad on the side where you don't have your mouse, that problem disappears.
Now of course there are other pointing devices (trackpoint, trackpad, etc.) and some are located in the middle.
But the undisputable fact is this: most people are right handed and most people have a regular mouse and that mouse is located at the right of the keyboard.
Numpad sucks in that case.
Back in the days I didn't know about keyboards with numpads on the left of the keyboard and 60% keyboards weren't really a thing yet so although I'm right-handed I started using my mouse as a leftie (and still do to this day).
60% keyboard like the HHKB (one of the "OG" 60%) aren't about the lack of space in front of the monitor. It's about grabbing the mouse and coming back to the keyboard with less hand travel.
- slily 3y agoI have never seen a keyboard with a number pad on the left-hand side in my life and I have never bought a keyboard without a number pad. I also don't have coordination issues with my right hand and have never heard anyone complain about not being able to reach their mouse because of a number pad. Go figure.
- pathartl 3y agoBoards with number pads on the left are called south paws. I'm a lefty and I've always thought the numpad is in a more convenient location on the right, but what do I know.
- thot_experiment 3y agoIt depends on how you use your mouse, I tend to keep one hand on the mouse and one on the keyboard for a lot of the day and it's frustrating not having space to swing left when there's a numpad. I've been using a tenkeyless and an external numpad for many years now and find it much preferable to a full-size keeb.