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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: killermax on Fri, 15 February 2019, 03:35:50

Title: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: killermax on Fri, 15 February 2019, 03:35:50: Im coming from a fullsize keyboard ducky zero with media keys. Its been my bread and butter for 4-5 years now. I've changed keycaps and i've painted it. Even though I really love this keyboard I think its time for a new one.

Im a regular user for the numpad (i input a LOT of numbers), media keys and the function keys.

I love the look of a 65% but do you think the jump from a fullsize is too sudden for me? Would the layers be suffice?

Or should I start with TKL to smooth out the transition?
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: HotRoderX on Fri, 15 February 2019, 03:42:40: This is simply my opinion but if your inputting a lot of numbers then downsizing to a 65/75 or even TKL is going to be a really bad move. Layers are ok but there no replacement for something you use regularly. Specially something that require so many key's. What I would personally recommend if your looking for something new and compact, perhaps a 1800 style board. That would be something like this https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3565 its a compact fullsize.

I am sure someone will say just get a numpad, but have read numpads can be nice but also a PITA cause of muscle memory.
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: hieuuk on Fri, 15 February 2019, 04:06:48: 1 more vote for 1800. I have been using FC980C and the size is perfect, just as big as TKL but also with full number.

I don't need to input number a lot so, I'm ok with 60%, but my friend who needs data input can't leave with it.
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 15 February 2019, 04:16:32: I'll give another vote for a 980M/C layout, leopold boards typically come with good keycaps as well.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: killyou on Fri, 15 February 2019, 07:31:26: I went from fullsize to TKL for a short period and then to 60% Pok3r. The only thing missing was arrow cluster which I quickly adapted to and now my preference is to have it under Fn + ijkl. I'm happy now and standard 60% is my "endgame" layout. I'm using that keyboard for gaming and working which consists of writing lenghty documentations, excel spreadsheets, network configuration and programming. Not once I though about going back to tkl/fullsize once I got used to the new arrow cluster setup (took about two weeks).
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: Kyi195 on Fri, 15 February 2019, 09:41:17: I went from full size and a standard mouse at work to a custom JD40/trackball because of space at work. That said, not having a dedicated numberpad is a bummer. I get the directions using fn+asdf (kinda like a flipped VIM nav layout). At home I use a 65% (MD R1 Whitefox) and the only thing that would make it an endgame for me is a split spacebar which the 40% has really got me onto.

If you're doing a lot of data entry but, like, in spurts or something you might be able to get a 65% and then a detached num pad and put a mouse/trackball/trackpad in between the keeb/pad. Otherwise like HotRoder said, an 1800-style setup would probably work better.
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: sncbraxsc2 on Fri, 15 February 2019, 09:56:55: Number cruncher with compact desk space here. I went from CM Storm TK to Duck Lightsaver to "southpaw" 65% with left hand numpad layout.

(https://i.imgur.com/9eZEaOf.png)

This has been great for being able to keep my mouse hand active and punch numbers with my left hand at the same time.

I've gotten used to this layout now but I used to accidentally start the "magnifyer" tool by pressing alt + "+" when trying to alt tab :))
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: killermax on Sat, 16 February 2019, 04:38:51: Quote from: sncbraxsc2 on Fri, 15 February 2019, 09:56:55
Number cruncher with compact desk space here. I went from CM Storm TK to Duck Lightsaver to "southpaw" 65% with left hand numpad layout.

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/9eZEaOf.png)

This has been great for being able to keep my mouse hand active and punch numbers with my left hand at the same time.

I've gotten used to this layout now but I used to accidentally start the "magnifyer" tool by pressing alt + "+" when trying to alt tab :))

wow this setup looks really nice. is there one where the numpad is located on the right.

Im really leaning towards a 65% setup plus a numpad
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: mike-y on Sat, 16 February 2019, 20:54:16: There is a 96 key which is a compact full size keyboard. basically like the southpaw above, but it has a Function row and the numberpad is on the right. this is what I use for work.

looks like this
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/red-scarf-iii-ver-a-96-key-custom-keyboard-kit (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/red-scarf-iii-ver-a-96-key-custom-keyboard-kit)
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: GrzlyG on Sun, 17 February 2019, 20:10:06: Check out the Vortex ViBe!
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: Polymer on Tue, 19 February 2019, 09:35:47: TKL + Numberpad is a good idea...

The numberpad will let you experiment with smaller layouts as well if you want..but IMO, the big space gain is going TKL...the rest feels less significant (even if the amount of space is the same).

I would consider what using the numberpad means..

For some people, they just prefer to put in numbers that way even though they're not doing heavy numbers work (big extensive spreadsheets for example). Eg. If you're doing it because you enter in some IP addresses, learning to use the normal number row, IMO, is more than fine (and just as fast given no hand swapping).

If you're really crunching out heavy number use...dedicated numberpad...easy decision..
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: chyros on Tue, 19 February 2019, 10:32:57: Personally I'd say it makes absolutely NO SENSE to downscale for a work keyboard. If anything, you should be scaling UP!
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: abrahamstechnology on Sat, 23 February 2019, 13:07:44: I carry a 60% keyboard in my laptop bag. I don't even like 60% but linear Alps are still much better than the filthy, mushy rubber domes at my university. My board isn't even that loud compared to them, since they squeak and rattle so much.
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 23 February 2019, 13:36:39: I used an HHKB most of this past week and while I kept reaching for my numberpad and never got really comfortable with which fingers to press F8 it really wasn't that bad. I'm planning for a future move to a difference workspace where I think having a smaller (wireless in my case) board will be very useful.
Title: Re: Can you downsize your KBD for work?
Post by: livewirerc on Mon, 25 February 2019, 16:29:05: Quote from: SpAmRaY on Sat, 23 February 2019, 13:36:39
I used an HHKB most of this past week and while I kept reaching for my numberpad and never got really comfortable with which fingers to press F8 it really wasn't that bad. I'm planning for a future move to a difference workspace where I think having a smaller (wireless in my case) board will be very useful.

I exclusively use HHKB or modified 60% layout at both home and work. I started with fullsize, then TKL, then a Vortex Race 3, then the HHKB and never looked back. Now I own four HHKBs, three MX HHKB clones, a few weirdo ortholinears I never got the hang of, and three other Realforce/Topre boards for the hell of it, but the others all collect dust as my HHKBs get used.

HHKB is the one true layout.