I have been using an Avant Stellar with ALPS keys for the past few years and am now moving "up" to a Leopold 104 with Cherry Browns. We'll see how I like it. I'm mainly focused on productivity at work and that means typing. I'm a fast touch-typist.
I expect I'll like the Cherry Browns better than the ALPS, but something else about the Avant Stellar has ruined me: the 12 extra keys at the left that are programmable. (In these photos, the F1-F12 keys on the left are the "extra" keys. The SF1-SF12 across the top are the regular Function keys -- although of course one can remap all of them however they want.)
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What has me baffled, frankly, is trying to understand why this isn't an incredibly common feature in other keyboards today. Unless space is an issue for you, once you use it you will
never go back!!!
Since I want to go to a Leopold (and maybe try a RealForce later on), I have to find a way to replicate what is by now a wholly indispensible piece of equipment for me.
That means adding a programmable external keypad for the left hand.
What seems to be the best is the
X-Keys from P.I. Engineering:
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What I'm wondering, though, is whether or not it might be a better idea to get an external “numpad” for my left-hand use and program it for my custom preferences.
I realize it won't have the range of flexibility of the X-keys, which has a wide range of configuration options for both the hardware and software. And I realize that adapting an external numpad would by nature be a bit awkward given the lettering of the keys unless I can change out the caps. But I'm thinking it “may” be worth it since an external numpad would look and feel more like it was made to work with the keyboard. (And I really don't need more keys than what would be on a numpad.)
I’m thinking maybe
this programmable external numpad with Cherry switches from The Keyboard Company in the UK:
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If I get that numpad from TKC, though, would I be able to pull the caps off and replace them with caps that are either plain black with no legends or that have simple numbers so I can create my own code?
Or, for that matter, either way, should I just go for the X-keys and trust that soon enough I’ll get used to the look and feel and will love it for what it does? (I realize liking the look is subjective. I like my stuff to look businesslike and to be black or gray when possible, but I'm more concerned with feel and utility.)
Thanks!
