Diagonal keyboard for netbook or notebook chassis

One of the reasons some folks avoid netbooks is the smallish keyboard. I wonder why no manufacturer ever made a diagonal framed keyboard, moving some of the non-core keys to the top or bottom of the core keys. A diagonal case orientation allows more space for keys although the screen hinge would have to be replaced with a semi-detachable screen on a fold-down swivel rod mount of some sort.

With a 9"x9" square chassis shape, the screen resolution could also increase to a more typical 1024x768 size instead of the non-standard 1024x600. By increasing length (but decreasing width) a square shaped notebook would also provide extra space for flatter batteries, decreasing overall height.

Assuming that a normal netbook keyboard requires 20% greater chassis width than a diagonal frame netbook:

The new ASUS EEE 1002HA netbook:
-- 10.4 x 7.1 inches - surface area 73.8 square inches

A diagonal keyboard netbook with the same relative key size:
-- 8.7 x 8.7 inches - surface area 75.7 square inches (less with rounded off edges)

While surface area is similar, the deeper diagonal unit could easily accomodate a 1024x768 screen whereas the 1002HA is limited to non-standard 1024x600 resolution.



This is obviously just a concept. I'm sure there are practical fold down or slide out alternatives to the double hinge design of a standard notebook. I can even imagine a non-detachable sliding hinge on a rail (along the rear right edge) concept. [Dammit, Scottie, I'm a programmer, not an engineer. ] Since I prefer using a USB mouse to a touchpad, the side cutaway design actually provides more practical space for mouse movement for me and more convenient access to ports, SD memory slots, etc.

Since the rotated square design provides ample room for 1024x768 screen dimensions, the pointed edges of a square design could be easily rounded (preferred) or chopped off as shown below.

 

Where does the screen go?

 

When not in use, the screen would be placed over the keyboard part of the chassis. When in use, the screen would either slide up (possibly along a rail of some sort) on a vertical mount or be semi-detached but tethered to sit on a swivel mount located at the rear part of the chassis.

 

The diagonal keyboard looks awkward. It looks not comfortable for your arms when you lie them on your netbook, netbooks often have a widescreen aspect ratio (just look at the Vaio P ), placing a netbook somewhere would need too much space (diagonal), and arrow keys, home, ... are often used keys. So it's a no go.

Why not something like a FrogPad?

replaces a full QWERTY keyboard, needs less space, you can type with one hand, has normal sized key and and you can achieve 60-over 100 WPM, and all this with a single hand. So you could type while you're walking or holding the netbook with one hand, ...

Why does everyone want a OWERTY keyboard?