For (my) casual number-pad use and to send number-pad code when it's needed, the embedded pad works fine. If I were working on spreadsheets, I'd have number pad alongside my 87U. For me, a number pad is easier to use when keying a lot of numbers into a document and going back and forth between numbers and text; remember, you don't have to hit Num Lock to switch between using this TKL's alpha/numeric functions. The 87U's embedded number pad is a convenience and important for sending the number-pad code when needed; but for a lot of numeric input, I'd rather use an accessory number pad.