How Many Use Tenkeyless & Why?

I worked in accounting for several years and I can fly on a ten key number pad. I'd feel lost without it and definitely prefer the standard size keyboard. Also, I write novels/fiction now for a living and for some reason it just feels better having it there even for my writing.

My 2 cents, Prozac
 
r3awak3n said:
I dunno how you guys do it. I love the numpad. I use it every single time I have to input numbers and that happens a lot. I also prefer the look, I kind of hate the look of a 10 keyless. looks cramped and a keyboard made for midgets aka small people.
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LOL
 
I have a USB Ten Key pad, so when I need to enter data, I can. The rest of the time, I get my space back :)
 
I'm actually thinking about going with a Quickfire or Quickfire TK for the desk real estate advantages.

I'm wondering what people are actually using for a stand alone number pad though? Are their mechanical versions of these at a somewhat reasonable price (I think I found one for ~$60, but that seems to much for the limited use I'd get out of it)? I figure this would be useful to pair with a laptop as well.
 
I prefer TKL because of the size, and it allows me to place my keyboard in a more comfortable location for my hands.

limitedaccess said:
I'm actually thinking about going with a Quickfire or Quickfire TK for the desk real estate advantages.

I'm wondering what people are actually using for a stand alone number pad though? Are their mechanical versions of these at a somewhat reasonable price (I think I found one for ~$60, but that seems to much for the limited use I'd get out of it)? I figure this would be useful to pair with a laptop as well.
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I am using the Cherry G80-3700 which has vintage black switches. They are a little more expensive and sometimes hard to get. There is a seller on eBay currently selling it. But Filco also has a numpad with brown switches. You can also find some cheap GoldTouch numpads on eBay for around $20-$30. I believe the 2 models that use Cherry brown switches are GTC-0077 and GTC-0033.
 
Less space and more stylish.
Not to mention Keycap Group Buys and replacement cap sets are much cheaper. 86 vs 104.

I have a full-size board now, only because I got in on the $25 Rosewill deal.
 
limitedaccess said:
I'm actually thinking about going with a Quickfire or Quickfire TK for the desk real estate advantages.

I'm wondering what people are actually using for a stand alone number pad though? Are their mechanical versions of these at a somewhat reasonable price (I think I found one for ~$60, but that seems to much for the limited use I'd get out of it)? I figure this would be useful to pair with a laptop as well.
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I bought the TK recently, should have it in a few days. like others i prefer the size of TKL and see losing the numpad as an acceptable sacrifice. But I like how CM kept the size factor and combined those command keys and numpad as it makes a lot of sense, I wonder if that form factor will take over?
 
Yea the form factor does seem very interesting. At the moment I can't see myself needing both the arrow keys and numpad at the same time. Nor do I extensively use the numpad but the option of it being there is a plus.

Ovoxo said:
I am using the Cherry G80-3700 which has vintage black switches. They are a little more expensive and sometimes hard to get. There is a seller on eBay currently selling it. But Filco also has a numpad with brown switches. You can also find some cheap GoldTouch numpads on eBay for around $20-$30. I believe the 2 models that use Cherry brown switches are GTC-0077 and GTC-0033.
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It does seem like their are options then in case I do need one. Although the problem is availability up north here, seems like it takes more than the cost of the items for shipping to here from the US :p
 
I recently picked up the QuickFire Rapid and have been thoroughly enjoying it. The form factor really is ideal given my space and I no longer have my mouse nudging the edge of the desk. On the other hand, I do miss the keypad. Number entry is so much easier on it and I used it for everything, even when inputting ZIP codes for online forms or checking the weather. I think I'll pick up an external pad and see how that goes. It's not too big a deal for me if it's not mechanical as I don't do so much data entry, as just occasional number entry or the occasional game that benefits.

As for ergonomics, yeah, I'm a small with narrow shoulders. I'm around 167 cm tall and 55 kg and the mouse and keyboard are ideally spaced with the TKL. That new QuickFire TK looks neat, and it's great they still offer choices of switches, but it is disappointing to see that the white backlight is paired with browns, as I'd love blue switches instead with that color backlight as I'm sick of blue LEDs.
 
When you go TKL you never go back.

Full size boards are just awkward. With a TKL, you can have both your arms straight out - they will naturally fit on wasd/asdf and your mouse. With a full-size board, your mouse hand will awkwardly be out to the side a bit, or you have to spread both arms out a bit.

If you dont use a TKL, you wouldn't notice, but now anytime I use a full size board, it's incredibly awkward and uncomfortable for me. I'm not a small guy by any means either (im not fat, im just not some short kid is what i mean). If you use a full size board, you'll just say 'why cant you just move your shoulders a bit' or 'it doesn't matter'. But it does.

Just like people who say they never used a mechanical keyboard can't understand why anyone would pay $100 for a keyboard (anyone who pays more than $5 for a non-mechanical keyboard is getting ripped off).

You just have to try it to realize it.

Obviously, for work, numpad is important. That's why I always get mechanical keyboard with embedded numpads, or I'll use a specific, mechanical switch numpad (cherry blue + cherry black 10 key = win).

|_| vs |_/ or \_| or \_/

It's so much more comfortable when you can have both arms straight out. It gives you more control. Plus a full size board is just too big, you'll love the smaller form factor of a tkl real quick.
 
I use a Ducky Shine II Red switch TKL at home and Dell full size membrane for work. I like TKL a little more. Desk space is a premium and I am a minimalist at heart.
 
I use a TKL for the superior mouse-keyboard alignment. My mouse wasn't close enough to actually interfere with my keyboard, but my fairly large mousepad forced me to either have one side of the KB raised up on the mouse pad, or into a very wide hand/arm position to reach WASD and my mouse at the same time. With my TKL, I can just extend both arms pretty much straight ahead to reach my mouse and WASD. I do have a second wireless KB with a numpad on it for when I have to do data entry, I'm about 20x faster punching numbers/calculations into a numpad than being forced to use the top row numbers.

I was not aware of the CM Quickfire TK's existence. Now I want one...badly. It looks like the best of both worlds, size and functionality, and I've been nothing but impressed with my current Quickfire's build quality. I don't suppose they make a backlit compact TK version? That would be too perfect.
 
Kueller said:
I don't suppose they make a backlit compact TK version? That would be too perfect.
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Not sure what you mean by compact but all the TKs are backlit. Can find more info at http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfiretk/ I "think" I read some where that the US version of the brown actually has a white back plate with white leds instead of a brown back plate as listed on that website but I'm not 100% sure on that.
 
I think TKL has grown in popularity over the years mostly because of laptops. Most laptops are well TKL and people have become used to it. I on the other hand always selected laptops based on if they DID have a numpad so could not like TKL. The better deal to me is what they call compact keyboards. nearly the exact same space but with a number pad they are typically only 0.5 inches bigger than a TKL and they have all the keys.
 
Yeah my co-worker just got a CM tkl brown, but then they have been OOS since.
 
The elusive TK Brown! I've been hunting for one for the past month.
 
Goomz said:
I have a QuickFire TK red atm and love it. Best of both worlds imo.
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Quick question about the QFTK, can you please clarify how the Page Up/Down, Home, End keys work in association with the numberpad? What does NumLock do? Due to the color difference between the Home/End/etc keys and the number keys, I'm not sure what's associated with what.

I guess I would like to know how easy is it to switch from function+arrows to numbers, and what keys function in what mode. Thanks!

Goomz said:
I'm honestly not sure if the browns have made it to the US yet. If they have it looks like they blew thru the stock pretty quick because even the CM store is OOS. More info from Carter a CM rep here http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36137.msg714616#msg714616
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Thank you for the link. I knew it was sold in other regions I just didn't understand why not the US. Makes more sense now.

NickJames said:
The elusive TK Brown! I've been hunting for one for the past month.
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Ditto. Well, I've been looking since the beginning of December-ish. I would love to get me some QFTK browns.
 
Well it got brought up as a "shorter than normal keyboard" option.
 
I quite like the Apple Wireless keyboard - it's a brilliant keyboard for typing on and a ten-keyless.

I do prefer a heavier keyboard for games and such though, still rocking my Logitech G15 although it doesn't look like it's going to survive much longer.

The extra desk space save by going for a ten-keyless keyboard isn't anything to scoff at either.
 
crazjayz said:
Quick question about the QFTK, can you please clarify how the Page Up/Down, Home, End keys work in association with the numberpad? What does NumLock do? Due to the color difference between the Home/End/etc keys and the number keys, I'm not sure what's associated with what.
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To swap between TK and Function keys just turn Numllk on or off. Not sure if that was the clarification you were looking for.
 
Goomz said:
I'm honestly not sure if the browns have made it to the US yet. If they have it looks like they blew thru the stock pretty quick because even the CM store is OOS. More info from Carter a CM rep here http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36137.msg714616#msg714616
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Was wondering why I couldn't seem to find those. I think I would prefer the white back plate as well. Just haven't decided if I want to go with red or browns and whether I want the Rapid instead (slightly less wide, PS/2).
 
Chrjz said:
The best compromise for people that want to retain the numpad but also enjoy the size and aesthetics of a TKL: CM Storm QuickFire TK.

I'm using it right now and can't find a single thing to complain about.
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I love the minimilistic design of this keyboard. Are there other keyboards like this that have different switches (not blue)?

Edit: NVM they offer more switches on their website.
 
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Goomz said:
To swap between TK and Function keys just turn Numllk on or off. Not sure if that was the clarification you were looking for.
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So when NumLock is on, you get 1-9, 0, 00, decimal, /, *, and -. When NumLock is off, you get function keys Insert, Home, Pgup, Delete, End, Pgdn, arrow keys, Printscreen, Scrollock, and Pause? The "+" and Return always function as + and Return, correct?

Pretty much, I wanted to know if Numlock only affects the numbers, or if it also affects the backslash, asterisk, and minus keys. I was watching a review video of the keyboard, and they mentioned that not only does NumLock turn on/off numbers, but the FN key can also enable/disable what the keypad performs.
 
After finally getting tired of shitty logitech keyboards(gone through several in the past year or two) I have decided to go with a Filco Magestouch II TKL with brown switches.

And because I actually 10key better with my left hand(I am right handed), its being paired with Filco's 10key pad.

Hopefully its worth it. It will be my first mechanical and my first TKL. But I know I'll like the 10key on the left. Hopefully I like the brown switches.

They get here sometime later this week/early next week.
 
limitedaccess said:
Was wondering why I couldn't seem to find those. I think I would prefer the white back plate as well. Just haven't decided if I want to go with red or browns and whether I want the Rapid instead (slightly less wide, PS/2).
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The CM Quickfire TK with browns is no longer showing as out of stock at cmstore-usa.com if you're still interested. I was going to get a Quickfire Rapid with Browns but I figured that the backlighting and numpad were worth the extra $20.
 
Pretty obvious why. The size is much smaller, making it easier to fit on a desk, in a keyboard drawer, and to carry. I'm tempted by them, but I once had a job that required a lot of numeric entry, and ever since, I've much preferred having a 10key. If not for that, the smaller size is really appealing.
 
With your left hand on WASD and your right on the mouse, there is no way you have an actually ergonomically correct arm position with a regular size keyboard and a regular size body. Tenkeyless helps.
 
kevral said:
With your left hand on WASD and your right on the mouse, there is no way you have an actually ergonomically correct arm position with a regular size keyboard and a regular size body. Tenkeyless helps.
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True, and why i switched to 'YGHJ' for gaming a long time ago. My Ducky Shine II TKL arrives today, my first tenkeyless, and I may end up going back to WASD. If only so I don't have to remap my movement keys in every game I play.:cool:
 
I use on on my laptop XD. But on my normal desktop I've gota filco full sized keyboard. I myself have enough deskspace so I wouldn't go tenkeyless.
 
I have a Filco Majestouch 2 Tekeyless and like it for several reasons.

-Allows me to keep my mouse closer and my hand does not have to reach as far.
-Small footprint leaves large deskspace
-Enjoy the simplistic design of the keyboard without the numpad.
 
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