How useful is the numpad?

Upfront disclaimer: This topic has sort of come up in the past, but I can't seem to find any threads that address this for current models, or from my particular point of view. Still with me? I appreciate it.

I'm in the market for a 15.6" laptop, which will be my first widescreen, and therefore my first laptop with a numpad (or 10-key, if you prefer). I do a fair amount of data entry (personal accounting, home science projects, etc), so I was excited about having a numpad until I realized that just about all manufacturers make some big concessions to cram one in. Clevo's non-backlit keyboard (used on most of the 2011 and 2012 models) seems to be one of the worst offenders, with the -, +, Enter, and decimal point keys moved to non-standard places.

I'm a bit of a keyboard snob, so the obvious solution is to just get a P150EM, right? That's probably the best laptop keyboard I've seen, but alas that machine is overkill for my needs, my budget is a little tight, and I'm not a fan of rubberized coatings. I think I'm really looking more in the W150ER range. That means if I want a Clevo/Sager then I'm stuck with the aforementioned keyboard layout.

I'm sure I can get used to it, but I thought it might be worthwhile to gather some opinions from the forums. Is anybody out there using the numpad extensively on a non-backlit Clevo/Sager keyboard? What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

 

You ask: "Is anybody out there using the numpad extensively on a non-backlit Clevo/Sager keyboard?"

Can't answer for the Clevo/Sager users, but I use the numpad on my Gateway P7805u exclusively for my accounting programs like Quickbooks. Also used for Spreadsheet work. If you do any number crunching at all, you will appreciate the numpad.

I don't use it for games.

 

I've had the numpad in both 15 inch and 17 inch laptops. Never used it, never will. That's not to say I don't like it to be there.

 

Depends on what your plans for your laptop are really.
I use the numpad in World of Warcraft for keybinding more abilities so I don't have to click on them.
As Treetops has stated, there are others that will use it for accounting.

 

I use my numpad often. I see what you mean about keys being moved around, but you do get used to it quickly. If you do number entry it's a must.

 

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I guess my OP does need some clarification. I was just trying not to avoid tl;dr. Let's add some bullet points to explain myself better:
- At work, I do number crunching all day on a typical desktop keyboard. Couldn't live without the numpad on that one really, and I'm well practiced with it.
- At home, my primary computer is a laptop without a numpad, and that has always been a thorn in my side, especially when doing my projects at home.
- My concern is that trying to replace a standard numpad (which I use at work) with a non-standard numpad (like those on most laptops) will be just as annoying as not having one, or maybe even worse. Some part of me thinks that upgrading all the way to a P150EM might be worth it just to avoid that headache, but another part of me thinks that first part is crazy.

Overall I'm hearing that yes it's different, but it's still worth having once you get used to it. I thought that might be the verdict, but it's helpful to hear from someone else. Thanks again guys!

 

You know, the numpad is not only a "num"pad. You can use it for all kinds of purposes.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-N3...DKQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335305350&sr=8-1

??

Cheaper than an upgrade to a P150 from a W150

 

True, that's easy to forget when I never turn NumLock off on my desktop. I also noticed that these keyboards often don't have dedicated PgUp/PgDn/Home/End keys either, so turning off NumLock would help there.

Indeed it is. I didn't mention the external options because I used a full external keyboard in the past when I had the desk space. Unfortunately my den got turned into a nursery last year, so I'm making a feeble effort to stay as portable as possible now.

 

It's useful allright On a 15incher I wouldn't be so sure though.

 

Pgup/Pgdn etc you can get from turning off numlock, also by using arrow keys with fn. I use either depending on what I'm doing.

 

I am a big fan of number pads on laptops. Not having one is a pain any time you need to enter more than maybe 2 or 3 numbers. Also using any type of calculator or math program without a number pad is terrible.

 

I'm pretty sure I'm with you on this one, or at least I will be after an adjustment period. It's been quite some time since I had to get used to a new laptop keyboard, so I guess I'm just going to have to get over it.

 

Who the heck invented num pad on the right side of the keyboard? Was it lefty??..... I'd use it if it was on the left...

 

Yup, it's actually a conspiracy we lefties have to thwart the right-handers and make them like us. Soon we southpaws will control the world.

 

Is the keyboard cramped at all when typing on the 15 inchers like the p150em? I have a 15 incher right now, but no num pad. That's why I wonder if it'll be an uncomfortable switch to typing long papers on a p150em.

Sent from my HTC Vivid

 

If I could, I would put the trackpad where the numpad is, like how Razer did it, since I don't use the numpad that much.

 

I have a couple of lefty co-workers who have forced themselves to learn to use a computer right-handed (mouse on the right). That's either a score for the righties, or the lefties are adapting and becoming more powerful. Interpret as you will.

Somebody feel free correct me if I'm wrong here, but from my observations, the majority of the main keyboard is pretty standard now. All of the letter rows and the horizontal number rows seem to be about the same size/spacing you'd expect from a full-size keyboard. The cramping comes in on the F keys (short, but standard width) and in the right side (Backspace/Backslash/Enter/RShift/RCtrl/Win, etc). Those keys often get shortened, sometimes by a lot, to make room for the numpad and arrows (that doesn't bother me, but it's a problem for some).

Of course, there area wide variety of modifications being made to the numpad. In my opinion, the worst version for cramping is on some ASUS keyboards, with the numpad keys actually narrower than standard. I don't see how that wouldn't drive me mad.