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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 07:57:01

Title: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 07:57:01

Noob here so if it has been asked before please point me in the right direction. Search was not my friend on this one.

So I use my computer for a lot of different things. Most of the time I do not use the number pad so it is kind of in the way and would love to have the mouse close by.

But every once in a while I do use it and would like to have it (data entry). Being left handed, I also love the idea of having it on the correct side.  ;D

Here is the analogy I have in mind:
I have a vision of the number pad being a trailer to a car. I am not hauling gravel daily so I really do not need a pickup truck, don't want to park a second vehicle and drive the extra weight. A trailer allows me to be flexible when I do need to haul gravel.

Question: Is it possible to have a 60% keyboard for 95% of the time and then use a separate number pad just when needed (5% of the time)? How does it work in terms of USB ports.

Thoughts? Pros/Cons?
Any of you have this setup?
Pictures?

Thanks!

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: Bucake on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:09:28

is this a joke?
of course this is possible!

i immediately thought of the HHKB because it's a 60% keyboard with a USB hub.
if the hub can provide enough power, you could just plug it into the keyboard whenever you want to use your pad.

i've thought of it myself, but i realized that i don't use the numpad enough to justify buying one.

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:21:26

Not a joke, just a noob question. Sorry if this was a stupid question.

I was just not sure if most OS recognize 2 "keyboards" at the same time and how it is handled. I use both Windows and Linux (several distros).

So would you plug the keypad in the computer itself (assuming there are enough USB ports) or in the keyboard USB port (if there is one)?

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: xondat on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:49:01

Quote from: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:21:26

Not a joke, just a noob question. Sorry if this was a stupid question.

I was just not sure if most OS recognize 2 "keyboards" at the same time and how it is handled. I use both Windows and Linux (several distros).

So would you plug the keypad in the computer itself (assuming there are enough USB ports) or in the keyboard USB port (if there is one)?

I have two boards plugged in at once and it's fine. Pressing caps lock on one makes the other turn on as well and it's funny to me, I'm easily entertained.

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: Bucake on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:56:21

Quote from: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 08:21:26

I was just not sure if most OS recognize 2 "keyboards" at the same time and how it is handled. I use both Windows and Linux (several distros).

So would you plug the keypad in the computer itself (assuming there are enough USB ports) or in the keyboard USB port (if there is one)?

i don't know about Linux, but in windows i've never had issues with multiple USB keyboards being connected to the same PC. even stuff like num lock and caps lock work fine (including LEDs), like xondat mentioned.
though, i suppose that if you install software for your keyboard, like logitech / razer / steelseries etc, then i can imagine that problems could arise.

in the case of a USB hub on the keyboard, i would just find out if the hub provides enough power to support whatever you want to stick in there. if it provides enough power, then i would just use the hub on the keyboard :)

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 10:03:29

Thank you all for the great answers! Really helpful!  :)

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: mobbo on Mon, 25 January 2016, 10:07:40

I'm using a 60% Pok3r and a Topre numberpad on the left side!

Your dream, it is real!

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: PieterGen on Mon, 25 January 2016, 10:58:35

In Linux you can also use multiple keyboards, as far as I kow you can even write sophisticated rules so that each keyboard does different things.

The idea of a small KB plus seperate numpad is a sound one. I'vee seen pictures of it. Plus, they sell those seperate numpads for a reason..... :-)

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: user 18 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 11:11:58

I don't know what particular distros you're talking about, but I've never had any trouble with multiple boards on Debian-based distros. I've had 5 different boards plugged into my main rig using a combination of PS/2, USB, and USB-PS/2 adaptors, and everything seemed to work as intended.

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Mon, 25 January 2016, 11:12:59

(http://i.imgur.com/TwdKO5w.jpg)

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: 1f525 on Mon, 25 January 2016, 11:46:13

Quote from: GL1TCH3D on Mon, 25 January 2016, 11:12:59

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/TwdKO5w.jpg)

I like it!

Thank you all for the confirmation regarding Windows and Linux!

Title: Re: 60% Keyboard + Number Pad
Post by: Macsmasher on Mon, 25 January 2016, 18:10:08

I've used a separate numpad for years. My accountant loved my setup so much he bought a TKL Filco and numpad, and he's a guy who lives on his numpad. I'll never go back to a full sized keyboard.