Hi from Australia & a few questions

[poeee]

Hello all.

I thought it was time to join after lurking on and off for a while.

I don't own a mechanical keyboard as yet, but will be looking at what would suit me at work.

I've said for 12 months that I need a number pad separate to the keyboard.  On occasions I do a large session of work that is solely on the number pad.  I think this will be my first entry in to the mechanical keyboard world.  I want something with the double length '0' button, not the '0' and '00'.  Any suggestions is welcomed.

Then I guess is the harder decision.  A full size keyboard or TKL.  For someone like me who is always using the number pad as part of their job, would it be safe to buy a TKL board and number pad?  Although the idea sounds good, I'm not completely convinced.

[Distilled]

Welcome to GH!

There are a few mechanical numpads to choose from. However, getting one in Australia is a different proposition. I don't think any of the local guys carry them any more, so you may be forced to buy overseas. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leopold-210TP-Mechanical-number-Pad-Cherry-MX-Brown-Gravy-color-/301180559219?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item461fc29f73 would not be a bad place to start. qtan has a vendor forum on here and is generally highly regarded.

You might have a much easier time getting a full size keyboard and using the numpad that way. Reasonable selection from a few sellers in Aus for these. Is there any reason that you need the numpad separate? If not I would highly recommend just going for a full size keyboard.

This is all assuming that your after an MX board. If topre is something you want then I wouldnt even bother with a separate numpad. These are very very hard to find.

[poeee]

MX is what I'm after. I actually have one of those Deck backlit samplers coming, mostly because I think it's cool, as I think Browns are what I want.

I had found that Leopold num pad and considered it. Wonder if the Leopold TKL is the same profile? It does become an expensive combination though I guess.

The reason behind wanting a separate or extra num pad is that I think I can utilise two hands better in a more ergonomic way. Hard to explain I guess!

Many on this forum suggest the gold touch/kenisis pads, as they come up second hand cheap. The postage out to aus is a killer on all those auctions, making them the same outright cost as a new Leopold pad. 

[Distilled]

Browns are a good place to start. Although it really all comes down to what you like. For most people in most situations brows tick the important boxes.

I don't personally own a numpad so I can't really comment on the differences between them. All the brands mentioned are highly regarded around here. I don't think you would go wrong with any. The Leopold numpad is likely the same profile as the tkl, but I would msg qtan and ask him if you are thinking of going that direction.

It may cost a few extra dollars, but if you think it's going to be a significant improvement then it's likely to be worth the $30 more.

[microsoft windows]

Welcome to Geekhack. Do you use Windows 95?

[poeee]

Haha! Thanks! Sadly no, but I do have a project going using old gear running 98SE to play an old game I loved back in the day!

[strafe]

The Leopold Numpad with Brown Switches would be a great choice.  Welcome to GeekHack!

[poeee]

Today at work I thought I would pay attention to how I'm actually using the keyboard. The conclusion that I've come up with for my normal day to day use is that I need a full size keyboard, as per the MS rubber dome I have there currently. I think I'll invest in a nice full size board and make the decision after that whether I actually need an additional number pad.

[Elrick]

Haha! Thanks! Sadly no, but I do have a project going using old gear running 98SE to play an old game I loved back in the day!

Because you've got 98E running I think you've found a bum-chum here with Microsoft Windows  .  The poor soul has no one else to compare notes with when using this ancient piece of software.

[poeee]

Haha! Thanks! Sadly no, but I do have a project going using old gear running 98SE to play an old game I loved back in the day!

Because you've got 98E running I think you've found a bum-chum here with Microsoft Windows  .  The poor soul has no one else to compare notes with when using this ancient piece of software.

It's a project that needs more of my time, that's for sure.  Plus I need more old hardware!

[okwchin]

Can never have enough Microsoft merchandise if you ask microsoft windows...

Welcome to GH. I'm relatively new here too. Which side of this island do you reside. I'm on the quieter side.

PCCG tends to have a few things of interest now and again, like the yellow ducky keyboard . You probably wont have much to choose from in the TKL from PCCG though.

I went the 60% route, and the concept of using function keys is actually not too bad once you get used to it. Although I say I don't need a numpad, the presence of a numpad is certainly welcome. If your use to using a full size, and use it at work, I would agree that a full size is the way to go first.

[microsoft windows]

Haha! Thanks! Sadly no, but I do have a project going using old gear running 98SE to play an old game I loved back in the day!

98 isn't a bad choice for an operating system. As a matter of fact, I use it myself!

[poeee]

Welcome to GH. I'm relatively new here too. Which side of this island do you reside. I'm on the quieter side.

I'm from Geelong. I guess you could say it's the quieter part of the noisy side?

[okwchin]

Welcome to GH. I'm relatively new here too. Which side of this island do you reside. I'm on the quieter side.

I'm from Geelong. I guess you could say it's the quieter part of the noisy side?

Hehe, at least only a drive away from the noise

I'm about 3400km to your west. Apparently 36 hours, and about 37 hours with traffic according to google maps....

[poeee]

That's an average of 93km/h.  Tough drive, better not stop for fuel!