Number Pads on ThinkPads?
Lately I have been seeing some competitive machines in the 15″ wide aspect ratio category adding a dedicated number pad. Not sure if they are doing this because they are trying to fill up the negative space, or if they think there is a true user benefit. Adding one increases cost, and adds some weight, but it also changes the typing experience. The dedicated pad moves the home row further to the left than normal, perhaps as much as 50mm. We included one on the W700 because our research indicated the target users of this type of machine like them. We also had plenty of room for it : )
Comparison of home row position relative to screen
I wrote a blog about our embeded number pad quite some time ago and even posted a poll on the topic. Seems like the time is right to ask similar questions about a dedicated number pad being added to 15″ or larger ThinkPads. Take the poll and lets see where people stand on this. As always, thanks for the feedback.
David Hill
The Lenovo IdeaPad U160
The Lenovo IdeaPad V460
The Lenovo IdeaCentre K320
Lenovo Meet the Modder Dean Liou
June 10th, 2009 5:40 pm
A number pad can be trivially added via USB and so a builtin one wouldn’t add any value for me. What would add value is bigger normal keys (some of us are 6′4″
, as well as nicer placement of the arrow keys and the insert/home/pgup etc block – level with the other rows of keys.
In terms of best use of the real estate available, the bigger the touchpad the better, especially if it has the same aspect ratio as the screen and includes a dedicated vertical scrolling border.
Finally something I really like is decent speakers. The ones included with the T61 15 inch wide are noticeably better than the T16 14 inch 4:3 which seems to be due to placement and area available for them. A few years back I had a Toshiba with builtin subwoofer which sounded even better.
June 10th, 2009 5:49 pm
for 17″ is ok, but not for 15 or less, is too bulk, and in any case if we want a full keyboard for a desktop-like laptop we can use one via bluetooth or usb.
June 10th, 2009 6:09 pm
I will predict the outcome of this poll right now: a resounding ‘NO’. The 14″/15″ thinkpad keyboard is just perfect the way it is. Why change it all? A lot of people disliked adding the windows key – now a whole number pad?
Please do not mess with the keyboard, key layout, color of the keys, trackpoint – ie anything related to the keyboard. It is one of the few things that people identify thinkpads with.
Looking at all these polls, I have a looking fea in my head: one day in the future, I am going to see a thinkpad and not even recognize it anymore.
June 10th, 2009 7:49 pm
I have never had a chance to try W700, but I am afraid that shifting the center of keyboard to left would spoil its usability. I believe that the center of keyboard and that of display should be positioned as near as possible.
June 10th, 2009 8:51 pm
For those of you who use the number pad, what do you use it for?
June 10th, 2009 10:08 pm
I think a bit differently. I prefer number pad inclusion but also center typical keys placement and standard button size. It’ll be great for me if the additional number pad located near the right corner of the notebook or just beside the right of touchpad (avoid palm-rest area). For me the additional number pad will just utilized occasionally so it can be a little bit smaller than standard key size if the real estate is limited.
June 10th, 2009 10:31 pm
Ok, a number pad on notebooks is terrible, for the reasons you’ve stated. Moving the home row to the left is a bad thing. Normally on a desktop you can at least move the keyboard.
As someone who does a lot of number crunching, well, the number pad is used to quickly enter numbers! From account numbers to postal codes to revenue figures, the numpad is still faster (and frees up one hand).
June 10th, 2009 10:53 pm
If you’re running apps in windows, then the relationship between home position and text entry could be off anyway. If you’re running full-screen, then entering left-to-right text will be mostly on the left hand of the screen, in the direction the keyboard is shifted in the number-pad models.
So I don’t think it matters.
June 10th, 2009 11:20 pm
The Thinkpad keyboard is legendary. The current layout is perfect. Please, please don’t change it.
June 10th, 2009 11:23 pm
I love number Pads on large Notebooks only like the W700
June 11th, 2009 12:08 am
There’s not enough room on 380 mm laptops for a number pad. Shrinking the keyboard to make room for it would be painful (and while it’s really useful for those who need it, for the rest of us it’s wasted space).
I think a USB number pad that’s designed to sit (or clip) to just the right place next to the main keyboard is a better way. Carry it if/when you need it, leave it at home if you don’t.
June 11th, 2009 1:10 am
uh, hard to answer to your poll.
My button would be: I desperately want one, but please don’t move or shrink the keyboard. As the notebook of my dreams is 4:3, weighs less than one kg and the like, i would say: don’t include a dedicated number pad. But never use it? I surely would do!
In my opinion it would be best to further optimize the switching to the ‘hidden’ number pad and it’s position on the keyboard. If it is like holding shift with the let hand and typing with the right one just like on a standard number pad, i would be fine. But this collides with the skewed position of the keys in the letters area. So no solution from me…
but again: I use the number pad quite regularly on my desktop and am very distracted every time i have to type longer numbers on my lap at home. This is then more like the eagle way of typing: spotting and attacking each key from way above…
cheers
Hecke
June 11th, 2009 1:48 am
what I always was wondering about is: why is the Fn key used to toggle numlock to switch the extra layer for numpad; why can’t Fn also just be a modifier to enable the numpad keys right from the start.
Example.
how it is now: hit Fn-ScrLk, type k to get a 2, hit Fn-ScrLk to return to normal keyboard operation
why is it not: hit Fn-k to get a 2 ; done.
June 11th, 2009 2:19 am
The ThinkPad keyboard is great as is. I think there is no need for a numpad. Shifting the center of the keyboard to the left feels really awkward.
I use a number of computers with different keyboards and I have a strong dislike for numpads. Even though you can push them to the left for desktops, the center of the screen is no longer aligned; align the keyboard with the center and now the mouse feels very far to the right. For this reason I use a Apple Mini Wireless keyboard, gladly sacrificing the page-up/down, home/end, insert/delete keys.
I use a Microsoft Ergo keyboard at work and sometimes catch myself using the numpad in Excel, but for the most part the numpad feels rudimentary and unnecessary.
Certainly, the integrated keypad on a ThinkPad works well. Don’t lower ThinkPads to the level of those distasteful HPs and Acers.
June 11th, 2009 4:44 am
The outline of the questions is kind of loaded, as I can certainly imagine a use for a numpad, but I think the drawbacks outweigh the convenience. But I voted what I thought was the spirit of the query.
I have also been irked by the issue low above takes up. I would greatly appreciate quicker access to the virtual numpad.
June 11th, 2009 6:37 am
We use the number pad not only for the number. As hardcore spreadsheet junkies (in accountancy) we also use the + and – keys, ’stand alone’ and in combination with the control key.
Working with the Fn key is a disaster (and the combination with Ctrl stopped working for us with the introduction of the A31).
Although I would like to have a number pad, I can only see enough space for 2 to 3 key on my T500 and I would certainly not like to see the main keyboard shrink or lose quality.
June 11th, 2009 8:26 am
I agree totally with what low said (post #10)
If that could work that way then there would be no need for a separate numpad on the 14″/15″ thinkpads. I for sure wouldn’t need one anyway.
Now i use an external USB-Numpad and it’s okay but again, if you guys could make it work like low said then i would be even happier.
From what i know you have designed already a lot of additional stuff for Thinkpads (like the external HDD with the passkey protection)… what about a ThinkNumPad?
June 11th, 2009 9:09 am
Oh, and to answer your question (Post #5)
I use the numpad mostly for programming (C++) and mathematical applications (like data input and calculations in Excel and OOmath).
June 11th, 2009 9:26 am
I don’t even use a number pad on a desktop system, so I really would not want to lose the space on my laptop keyboard for one.
June 11th, 2009 11:08 am
@ hurt – “I don’t even use a number pad on a desktop system, so I really would not want to lose the space on my laptop keyboard for one”
I agree 100%. I switched to an IBM PS/2 Space Saver II keyboard (w/ TrackPoint, w/o NumPad) about a year ago on my desktop.
I appreciate the smaller footprint and the ability to place the keyboard more at the center of the screen (rather than shifted far to the left). The only downside of the SpaceSaver II is the lack of a proper Windows 7 64-bit driver as it is a fairly old design (I can’t get the middle button scroll to work properly).
Interesting read on the Space Saver II (and lack of numPads in general) – http://davidbau.com/archives/2.....board.html
June 11th, 2009 11:15 am
Ruined keyboard layout of T400s !
This review http://www.superonsdag.no/blog......no/?p=257 has revealed that Lenovo has changed the keyboard layout of new T series. The Ins/Del keys change is unacceptable, annoying and pointless. Unfortunately it seems that the keyboard can not be replaced by the older models. Please …. WHY ?
June 11th, 2009 1:26 pm
Bring back a numeric keypad option for the UltraBay Slim, and make it comparably priced to a USB numeric keypad! I’ll bet users are willing to swap optical drive out for a number pad since many spreadsheet users e-mail files to each other rather than burning them to CD-R.
June 11th, 2009 1:37 pm
Off-topic:
Thanks for the pointer in #18 on the T400s. I’ll have to re-think as I was going out in a couple of hours to buy the new MacBook 13″ that came out this week. I like using laptops as desktop replacements with an external 30″ monitor and booting from a fast external drive (yes, it *can* be faster than a puny internal.) The clincher for the MacBook was the addition of Firewire800 and the clincher for the T400s would be the inclusion of DisplayPort and eSATA, provided I am able hack OSX on it and the price is right.
On-topic:
On my desktop setup I have always used a keyboard without a numpad (and have been known to hacksaw numpads off of some keyboards) but I find it useful to have a USB numpad for the occasional entry. On the road, I find that I can do without the numpad entirely. It would be convenient though to have a portable numpad that was really portable and wireless (bluetooth, not anything else.) The current Lenovo USB numpad is disastrously big and clumsy. Perhaps you should re-visit the UltrabayPlus Device Carrier idea. There, you basically replaced the optical drive with the carrier. The carrier held either a PDA or a numpad in a drawer. Open the drawer to use the device. I’m sure something more functional can be done along those lines. What is clear though, is that extending a keyboard on a small form factor machine by shrinking and moving keys is not acceptable.
June 11th, 2009 1:40 pm
I see someone just beat me on the comment about the
UltraBay device carrier thing… Glad that great minds think alike…
June 11th, 2009 2:14 pm
@ David Hill #5: I use the number pad mainly for extended character entry (e.g. ALT+0181 for µ). I use this a lot, so some access to number-pad functionality is critical, since ALT+xxxx doesn’t work with the top row digits. I’ll also use when doing extensive numerical work, but that’s pretty rare for me.
Where there is plenty of room (as on a 17″ laptop), a standalone number pad should *always* be included. It’s much more convenient than the Fn overlay, and letting all that space go to waste is silly. But on a smaller laptop, it should not be crammed in. The size and layout of the keyboards on my A31p and T60p are perfect. Don’t compromise that.
low in #10 has an excellent suggestion. Toggling number pad mode is a pain. If I could quickly get to my extended characters with Fn+ALT+xxxx without having to toggle in and out of numpad mode, that would be wonderful.
@Puppy #18: I also saw that earlier at http://www.engadget.com/2009/0.....n-officia/ . That’s not a US keyboard. I assume (hope) the US keyboards will have the \ in the proper place above the Enter key and no extra # key, leaving the main 5 rows unchanged. *Maybe* the function-key row is market specific as well, but I suspect not. It’s close enough that I could learn to live with it, but the traditional layout is better. Insert belongs with Delete (the traditional 6-key cluster at the top-right is perfect), and there’s no reason for Esc to be so huge. I also noticed that the TrackPoint buttons have changed. Can’t say if they’re better or worse, though, without trying them.
June 11th, 2009 3:06 pm
It slightly de-centers the keyboard (which is far more important) for the benefit of rapid numeric entry for those trained in using numeric pads (perhaps 2-20% of your customers).
For me, I would prefer to trade it for lighter weight and lower cost as well as a perfectly centered keyboard.
If you’re going to use a fullsize keyboard on all your ThinkPads now, you might as well go to the next step and make it the *same* keyboard on them all (i.e. no numeric pad on any, see Apple). If you produce a slimmer future version, the extra space vacated on the sides would be ideal for squeezing ports and related components into.
June 11th, 2009 4:54 pm
The UltraBay Number Pad was maybe the best device for the old series.
I wish I could get a Number Pad for the Ultrabay slim (for the T4x and T6x series as well)
And hey,
the keyboard layout for the T400s is PERFECT! Finally a great escape and delete key!
Good job!
June 11th, 2009 5:57 pm
While I occasionally use numpad on my desktop and sometimes wish for it on the notebook, I think that pushing the main keyboard to the side would significantly reduce the general usability of the notebook.
Also, I dislike the T400s keyboard.
June 11th, 2009 6:16 pm
Re the T400s, why on earth would a company screw around with the signature feature that has kept users coming back for years? I’ve been asking that question for months every time David Hill puts up another one of his useless keyboard polls on the blog and have never gotten an answer. Are you just trying to drive away your existing customers and fanbase?
The newer ThinkPads have enough flaws that need to be fixed without breaking something that wasn’t broken. The resources wasted redesigning the keyboard could have put to better use.
Jane
June 11th, 2009 7:27 pm
Re T400s keyboard layout:
Dear keyboard manufacturers,
Please stop screwing around with the insert/delete keys on the home row.
Thank you.
Regards,
YS
June 11th, 2009 7:29 pm
Whoops, I meant, “navigation row”, not home row!
June 12th, 2009 12:01 am
Re: T400s
It is very clear that the escape key was redesigned to accommodate those who are used to using traditional 6 row laptop keyboards. Even on these blogs many of them complained about hitting f1 instead of escape.
While the move in understandable, would you please consider an introduction of classic thinkpad keyboard layout as an option?
Maybe you will even offer at least one build that would be a normal thinkpad, with good screen, good keyboard, good materials used?
June 12th, 2009 12:24 am
There is the new shots with the screen, looks like it’s still awful.
http://jkontherun.com/2009/06/.....t-14-inch/
June 12th, 2009 8:11 am
For 17″ only.
June 12th, 2009 3:50 pm
Dear David Hill
I am very glad you finally hit my main issue with my ThinkPad. Therefore I sincerely hope that you can afford the time to read all this… Thankyou if you do!
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
I am using a T43 laptop. Mostly, I love it. But I have one big problem. It’s all about this “hidden” version of the essential numpad.
Writing a lot of text I don’t want a sacrifice of the letter keyboard. I have yet to try the W700, but I have few guesses. I think I would hate to not have the letter keyboard in center… eh, no. With 1920 pixels of screen width I think I can afford that. Using Windows 7 it’s not at all hard to position your windows where you want them. And I sure would love to have that dedicated numpad. But I would hate the distance to the rest, especially the TrackPoint. Please, a duplicate TrackPoint and Esc key in the numpad on the W700 and the external keyboards. Please!
But I do not use my T43 because it is big and powerful – it aint. It’s portable, and that matters to me although I’m a CAD user. I would like a W300 – it ain’t gonna happen… back to topic.
Right now I’m rather angry with my “hidden” numpad. I’m often writing some special characters using Alt-#### and as said by a few others here using Fn to access the numbers directly as with some other laptops would be a good solution.
I do write a lot of numbers, but even more often I write equations. This is where I get really mad. Num lock is good here but means that I can’t access some other important characters, as parentheses (they’re really hard to reach and I write them all the time) and the all-important dot! May be a regional thing, using american software that don’t accepts comma as fraction mark is a pain!
Another important thing here is that using my left hand with a 3D-mouse I don’t want to let go of that one to reach any doublehanded key commands, thereby some of my frustration.
All-in-all, I would like:
1: Parentheses and dot on primary keys in the numpad (mode), and an esc key and a TrackPoint (in dedicated numpad).
2: Both Fn-# and NumLock
3: When in NumLock, use Fn key to reach the standard function of the key.
4: Easier NumLock switching.
Back to original topic, I polled doesn’t matter to me since I will use a smaller laptop, but I would like a big keyboard with dedicated numpad at home. And on the 15” size it would need to involve some kind of size compromise, but still may be useful for users like me. So I would say optional is the best alternative – as always.
Thankyou if anyone of you read all this
/O8h7w
“ The nice effect of being pessimistic is that everything turns out better than expected! ”
June 12th, 2009 3:57 pm
Forgot one smaller point of interest.
On the W700, there is an area the size of six function keys just above the numpad. Use it!
And you maybe can’t find out what for, but I have a bunch of commands I would love to place there – plus parentheses and escape!
I would love to have some freely assignable keys…
June 12th, 2009 11:47 pm
given kohut’s recent blog about 16:9 displays being the future norm (whether we want them or not), i can only imagine this question is an outreach to solve the issue of having an immense amount of unused space around upcoming models.
not to be all “doom and gloom,” but why do i get the feeling that notebook design across the board is going down the toilet?
June 13th, 2009 2:01 am
To David Hill.
As an accountant, I use numpad heavily. We use third party USB numpad.
Integrate the numpad into the keyboard i think is a good idea, but as other have said, please dont change the key size on 14 inch model. The size is perfect.
Btw, my company uses Thinkpad, mostly R series and X series. Currently we have acquired some R400 and X200.
June 13th, 2009 10:08 pm
@ erik
I fear you may be right.
My 12.1″ x200 Tablet is very nearly as wide as my old 14.1″ T40. This isn’t a huge problem as I loved the form factor of my T40 (and it gives the x200T a true full keyboard), but it makes the T400/T500 ridiculous due to their extreme widths and wasted space around the keyboard.
June 14th, 2009 2:11 am
I actually do not like the size of the X200. What made the X40/X60 series great was the way IBM/Lenovo pared down the size of the notebook to an absolute minimum. Barely any wasted space around the screen and the keyboard. I’m happy to take the slightly shrunken keyboard in exchange; my X61 is actually not much bigger than most netbooks, and in fact less wide or even smaller than the recent 10-12″ netbooks!
June 14th, 2009 11:18 am
Nice topic, David!
I voted a resounding no. I used the number pad during my extensive number crunching days, when 90% of my work was done on Excel. I used an external number pad through the USB. Those days are gone, and not a moment too soon, I might add.
I found very little use for the number pad while on the go. And when I was seated at my station, the number was useful only during those extreme number crunching sessions, and not during the light calculations typically done during a normal work day.
I agree that the shifting of the center would be an issue and a big one at that.
Perhaps an option for a number pad that docks into the body? On second though, perhaps not.
June 14th, 2009 12:30 pm
Gotta agree with some of the other people that a number pad is only suitable on a 17″ normally – on a 15″ notebook either the keyboard suffers or the number pad is reduced and made less usable.
I loved the ultrabay plus – i thought it was a perfect solution for a number pad user and, using a WorkPad at the time, I also loved the palm cradle – bring it back but with options for storying iphones etc in the slot with a connection.
I personally dont care about the keyboard layout changes on the T400s, functionally the delete will still work as it has and I certainly don’t use Esc or Insert enough for it to be an issue and the function keys are not generally something i’d press when touch typing; i am liking the new TrackPoint buttons though (to look at anyway).
June 14th, 2009 12:47 pm
Don’t want numpads on mobile-to-be Thinkpads.
Want 4:3 Flexview!
Another thought:
Maybe you start thinking about an integrated power brick and cable. That would be one less thing to carry around and therefore it would be a noticeable, innovative benefit.
Besides full ACK @YS.
June 14th, 2009 5:54 pm
Yes, me again.
Missed out on the whole ultrabay-numpad thing. I haven’t used one of those (I’m not old enough) but I think it’s a good idea, perhaps spoiled again by the distance to the TrackPoint. When cadding I use my 3D-mouse in my left hand and the numpad and TrackPoint in my right hand. I love that those are near each other on my T43, hate that I have trouble with reaching parentheses and the dot. On my recent 3D-mouse I have buttons to solve my escape issue, but I wont have on my next one.
And I agree with #42 that the power is a far bigger issue.
June 15th, 2009 1:45 am
The idea of the integrated power supply sounds great. In reality though it is not feasible due to increased heat dissipation requirements in the chassis and the fact that it adds a lot of weight. (If only manufacturers would quote combined laptop and power brick/wall wart weight!) Come to think of it I’ve owned some Toshiba laptops with built-in power supply. These were heavy and noisy machines even in comparison with the standards of that era.
Another thing, 4:3 Flexview for me too!
June 15th, 2009 3:03 am
Please don’t add number pad for 15″ ThinkPad, you might consider add it for 16″ ThinkPad or above. But, are there going to have 16″ ThinkPad?
June 15th, 2009 8:20 am
I used to have a Compaq Armada with an integrated power supply. It made the notebook heavier and much hotter which far outweighed the convenience. I much prefer having it laying on the floor and not be forced to carry it wherever I go.
June 15th, 2009 8:40 am
Another reason to keep the AC adapter separate, especially on lightweight X-series is that when you’re traveling and solely on battery power you don’t need to carry the weight of the AC adapter at all.
Perhaps if the AC adapter could snap onto the back or bottom (also tilts the keyboard) of the ThinkPad…
June 15th, 2009 4:04 pm
I can understand having a number block on the W700, it being a mobile workstation and the acreage is there, but trying to squeeze it into smaller format systems will mean reducing the size of the other keys or increasing the size of the sytem as a whole making them look less compact than they are.
Which leads me to the T400s keyboard discussion;
Jane Loyless in post #29 sums it up pretty well for me.
By all means increase sales by creating a BIOS fix for a possible Fn and Ctrl button switch which would very highly likely retain, gain customers and sales for Lenovo. Those crying about this are not asking for alot, but it seems Lenovo are keeping the buttons as they are and changing the buttons that NOBODY is, has or would have been* complaining about. (* read soon will be).
Is this from the same design team that is responsible for the “trampoline” keyboard? If it is, they don’t know what ThinkPad means. Someone needs to educate them as to the meanings of product consistancy, loyalty and CULT before we end up with the ThunkPad.
Integrated power supplies will just add unecessary weight and probably result in ThinkPads being the opposite to what they are; namely cumbersome.
June 15th, 2009 4:55 pm
I used the pop-out numeric keypad option on my A31p extensively – in fact, the A series offering of this option was the deciding factor for my purchase. As an accountant I need to use a keypad often – and bringing an external keyboard on business trips isn’t the best use of space.
As everyone went away from 3 spindle systems I was left high and dry, but have looked for an attractive alternative since.
Since I don’t like the size of 17″ machines I’m stuck using external USB keypads, but I’d love to see a variation of the slide out or a bluetooth keypad to use with my Thinkpad.
June 15th, 2009 9:06 pm
Well, I’ve asked for this before, and I’ll ask it again: Don’t mess with the keyboard. Please remove the Windows keys, and please bring back the grey keys.
Is there any reason why you cant do that?
Also, X series user here, a numpad would (or should) never fit.
June 15th, 2009 9:30 pm
O8h7w, thanks for making me feel old
(
Bryan, imho the A31p was the pinacle for ThinkPads, it still bemuses my why a similar 2 optical drive system has not been produced yet – i used to love the options for disc duplication or hard drive addition but using both slots and the number pad/workpad cradle just added to this flexibility.
Bob, unfortunately some of us like the Windows Key and I can see our numbers increasing a lot with Windows 7. Also, its part of the Windows Logo program so if it wasn’t there then the systems would cost a bit more. I personally prefer without the gray keys – they were more a sort of recent ThinkPad tradition and I never quite understood their place on my black box, same goes for the hideous blue enter key.
June 16th, 2009 1:04 pm
How about creating a bluetooth number pad as an option. Nobody likes wires on usb numpads, so bt number pad at affordable price in thinkpad design would be right on the spot. Bluetooth chips are so cheap these days, and BT laser mouse works like a charm and does not consume a lot of battery.
June 17th, 2009 8:10 am
This is a left-of-center comment (pun intended, as you’ll see why). The traditional placement of the numpad on the right of a desktop keyboard is, I guess, on the assumption that it is more convenient for people to access it with their right hand than with their left. I don’t know if there’s been a study on whether southpaws (like me) find it more more difficult than right-handers, but I’ve become accustomed to it, as well as holding the mouse in my right hand. But if it’s possible to design a modular numpad that can be placed on either side of the main keyboard, that might make southpaws who use external numpads located on the left side happy.
June 18th, 2009 4:30 am
I think that dedicated number pad is not necessary for the most thinkpad users. But you can improve embeded number pad – every competitor has it better.
I like writing numbers on embeded pad without switching numlock only by pressing Fn key. Business models from Toshiba, ASUS, DELL and HP support this. This is what I really miss on ThinkPad keyboard.
June 19th, 2009 9:10 pm
Not on a 15″ – too much of a squeeze.
June 19th, 2009 9:18 pm
BTW, if the number pad seems to push the mouse too far to the right, try using the mouse with your left hand. I’ve done it (forget why) and it became natural in less than a day.
What I want is easy access (ie, single key near edge) to: Home, End, PgUp, PgDn, Delete, and cursor keys – no extra Fn key, no missed stabs.
I had to remap my Lenovo PgUp, PgDn, and Delete keys to achieve this.
June 24th, 2009 7:17 am
The Thinkpad T30 and R40 already “had” one. A numeric keypad ultrabay replacing the Optical drive. It would slide out and be ideal for accountants and auditors doing field work. Unfortunately, that bay is hard to find and was discontiued with the slimmer Ultrabays in the T4x and later models.
June 28th, 2009 5:19 am
I agree with what Maccess says. Just like how W700 has a slide-out screen, a slide-out numeric will be useful. I find the numeric keypad that’s permanently fixed beside the qwerty a bother, for you type most of the time with your hands in front of you and your eyes looking forward. Yes, a slide out numeric on the T series will be a fantastic idea.
June 28th, 2009 5:25 am
Sorry for posting 2 comments, this is an afterthought. Those who think a USB numeric can do probably lacks experience with it. I have a USB numeric that’s highly portable, but it being so lightweight that when I crunch my numbers (especially with a USB wire), it slides out of position for me. Very irritating. That’s another reason why I advocate a slide-out keypad, you press a button to release from the laptop frame, and key in numbers on the right of the keyboard while your eyes remains fixated on the screen. Maybe a bluetooth one can be nice, but it can never be as convenient when you wanna work on the go.
June 28th, 2009 2:08 pm
The addition of a number pad although sounging like a good idea on a 15 inch notebook runs into too many space constraingts pushing the keys too far left and reducitng usbaility and then the question of where do the speakers than currently grace the elft and right sides of a 15w thinkpad go? the readoption of a numberpad in the ultrabay or creation of a 16 inch thinkpad with similar weight constraingts of the ideapad y650 would be an ideal solution
July 9th, 2009 11:28 am
A number pad on a Thinkpad? YES! PLEASE! Anyone who needs to access accented characters and symbols a lot knows that the most efficient way to do it is using alt-codes.
On my Thinkpad it is a major problem to have to turn the embedded number pad on and off, sometimes three times in a single word. I bought an external number pad but it works only for — you guessed it — numbers.
Having a number pad available all the time would make my life immeasurably easier.
July 28th, 2009 3:02 am
[...] sektoru. Však se sta?í podívat na blog designér? z Lenova. Ti už p?emýšlí, zda p?idat na ThinkPady NumPad. 17″ model už jej má, takže musí jít o n?co menšího. Sta?í jednoduchá matematika, [...]
July 31st, 2009 10:57 am
as i just mentioned in /designmatters/?p=158 : no real need for a real numpad, as long as the one integrated in the main keyboard is accessible by only pressing (and holding) [fn]. that i would really appreciate, as many typographic special chars (quotes, hyphens, ligatures etc.) i use are only available that way.
July 31st, 2009 10:17 pm
one^H^H^Htwo^H^H^Hthree more additions, as it is (in opposite to my last post) not showing up around here:
i would trade in the page-right (above [->]) or a slice of right shift for that.
it’s not only number crunchers that heavily use numpad, but pixel- and sample crunchers as well. for me being one of those, a discrete numpad isn’t that essential, but essential is to have quick one-hand access to any keyboard shortcut.
having [ctrl] on either side is great, two [fn]’s would be even more (actually, those media controls are impossible to do one-handed
oh, well… swappable buttons for left [fn] and [ctrl] (to have that one to the very left) would be… genious.
October 16th, 2009 3:43 pm
Dear David,
as you know almost all business schools use Thinkpads now (think of Harvard, Tuck, Columbia, etc.). That means typing in endless excel sheets.
Make a Ultrabay Num pad and it will sell like hot cake! There hardly is a use of the DVD drive (except installing software), but the number pad in the ultrabay slim would be like from heaven!
Francois
December 9th, 2009 7:51 am
I use the numeric keypad a lot. So the easy solution is to get a USB numeric keypad. Or so I thought. Turns out that on the Thinkpad X40, the numlock function controls both the integrated keyboard and the USB keypad. So when numlock is on the USB keypad works as numerics while the numerals on the integrated keyboad works too. With Numlock off, the integrated keyboard returns to alpha, while the USB keypad becomes cursor keys, PgUp, PgDn, Home and End. Anyone experienced this, as the problem seems to be limited to the X40?
December 9th, 2009 12:05 pm
RE-INTRODUCE THE ULTRABAY NUMPAD!!
For us Excel junkies it would be a god-send.
And folks who don’t need it, can save money by not buying it. How uses CD-ROMs in the office anyway. Nobody. But an ultrabay numpad like on the T23 would be fantastic!
And it would not change the basic Thinkpad design at all.
Hope, somebody at Lenovo reads this customer feedback!