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663

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6

I recently, at the order of my chiropractor, bought a laptop stand to elevate my screen. A result of this is that I need a standalone keyboard. Normal keyboards have numeric keypads on the right side, which moves my mouse further to the right... not an optimal position chiropractically speaking.

I don't use the numeric keypad, but all the compact keyboards I can find use some random placement algorithm on the arrow, page up/down, and most importantly -- the insert,delete,home and end keys. Those misplaced keys are crippling my code entry.

Does anyone know of a keyboard that is minus the keypad, but places those VERY IMPORTANT keys in a more standard position?

+3  A: 

The Happy Hacking keyboard. Small footprint, Ctrl and Esc in The Right Place. Also, the Home, PgUp, etc. keys are one the actual QWERTY part of the keyboard, not off somewhere else. You just use a function key to activate them.

EDIT: You can see the layout here.

EDIT: Also, the function keys are on the row of numbers, which cuts down on space.

Denis Bueno
Except I'd have to hit an extra Function key for home and end...
Yup. You wanted a small footprint for the mouse, so you have to sacrifice some key space. Seriously, the thing is really small.
Denis Bueno
I will have to respectfully disagree about the Ctrl being in "The Right Place" - when 99% of the computers you encounter on a daily basis have it some where else. Yes, yes, I know the old Sun keyboards had them there, but how many computers do you see with them these days? (but I didn't downvote)
Matt
Matt, "right" is not the same as "usual". Whenever possible I remap caps-lock keys to control.
dmckee
Matt, I encounter, in the sense of type on, exactly two computers on a daily basis. Do you really switch workstations all the time?
Denis Bueno
Matt, also, thanks for not downvoting, as your complaint isn't that relevant to the OP. =]
Denis Bueno
It's the "right place" if you hit Control-key combinations a lot, because its up on the home row where your pinkie can get to it. If I'm not using my Happy Hacking keyboard, I xmodmap the CapsLock to be another Control anyway.
Sharkey
Does anyone actually *use* CapsLock?
Adam Jaskiewicz
A: 

The wireless one would be perfect, but it's mac, probably work under windows, but you need bluetooth.

pmlarocque
Where are the home and end keys?
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Dana
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Sharkey
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boskom
A: 

I have been looking for the same thing. The sidewinder posted above is the only one I've found that is still in production. The HP KU-0412, and IBM Trackpoint Space Saver Keyboard are discontinued but can sometimes be found for sale.

Bare URL's since I'm not allowed to post images or links as a new user:
www.geeks.com/largePic_All.asp?InvtId=KU-0412&Pic=KU-0412-unit.jpg
www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-4WKSWX.html