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New 17" with Number Pad...when??

post #1 of 23
5/22/06 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone have any idea if a new chassis is coming anytime soon with a number pad built in for any 17"?

The M90 is nice, but would be even nicer with a full keyboard!!
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post #2 of 23
5/22/06 at 3:50pm
I don't think I've ever seen a laptop w/ full number keypad....

Just buy a usb one?
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post #3 of 23
5/22/06 at 3:55pm
umm most other brands of notebooks that are 17" that full keyboards with number pads. i dont know why dell doesnt do this.. i just dont see the point in getting a 17" NB when it wont even have a full keyboard
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post #4 of 23
5/22/06 at 3:57pm
Most 17' laptops have full keyboards. The new Toshiba, the Alienware, the Sager/Clevo's. *shrugs* No full keyboard on the dells is kind of disappointing.
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post #5 of 23
5/22/06 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by merkyworks
umm most other brands of notebooks that are 17" that full keyboards with number pads. i dont know why dell doesnt do this.. i just dont see the point in getting a 17" NB when it wont even have a full keyboard

I wouldn't say most, Dell, Toshiba and Sony don't. I would rather have my keyboard/Touchpad centered than have a num pad. I bet all these companies do market research and build based off of that data. I know this topic comes up all the time on this forum and there are plenty who would rather have the current design.

Edit: it looks like a new Toshiba might but I have never seen a Toshiba with a num pad.
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post #6 of 23
5/22/06 at 4:07pm
I agree (with the disappointing part)... though it's strange. I've heard complaints rom quite a few friends of mine that have laptops with numpads (like the HP's) that it's actually uncomfortable to use that kind of a setup if you do a lot of typing since you will be offset from your screen for most of your work (and unlike a normalkeyboard, you can't just shift it over to center it as neded).

Dunno as I haven't used one of those extensively, but seems kinda logical.

But I definitely wouldn't mind the extra keys.

- DH
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post #7 of 23
5/22/06 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yellowlt4
Edit: it looks like a new Toshiba might but I have never seen a Toshiba with a num pad.

I had a Toshiba (M60) about six months ago and it had a numpad. It was awful, though. The arrow keys were all squished together and many of the keys were in completely the wrong place e.g. backslash. The Dell keyboard is far better, in fact it's the best laptop keyboard I've used by a mile. I'd say it's actually a very serious error to put a numpad on a 17" laptop just because there's room to do so.
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post #8 of 23
5/22/06 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by merkyworks
umm most other brands of notebooks that are 17" that full keyboards with number pads. i dont know why dell doesnt do this.. i just dont see the point in getting a 17" NB when it wont even have a full keyboard

By dropping the number pad you can have a centred keyboard and additional cooling at the side of the laptop (where the XPS has vents), I'd much rather those two than a number pad.

John
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post #9 of 23
5/22/06 at 6:01pm
I have to agree with those that don't want one. I use my laptop for typing too much and if the keyboard had a num pad it would shit the main part to the left. I don't know about you, but even when I use a desktop, the main pard of the key board ends up center to the monitor (the 7 key about the middle of the monitor). If the keyboard was shifed on the laptop my whole body would have to be shifted to the left to compensate....now try putting it on your lap and typing..that would be horrible!. I do miss the num pad, but when I really need to use one I just use the keyboad I have hooked to the docking station for that.

just my $.02
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post #10 of 23
5/22/06 at 6:03pm
Ah, so I guess it is indeed a comfort thing for some.

Well, given the amount of typing I do, it's probably a good thing that I got a notebook minus numpad... besides I've kinda gotten used to using the num keys at the top of the keyboard for my numbers anyway (through the use of my trusty old Inspiron 8k).

- DH
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post #11 of 23
5/22/06 at 6:46pm
Good to know, never knew why Dells didn't sport the num pad, good info
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post #12 of 23
5/22/06 at 7:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnmcl7
By dropping the number pad you can have a centred keyboard and additional cooling at the side of the laptop (where the XPS has vents), I'd much rather those two than a number pad.

John


Plus, I can't remember ever using them number pad, what does it do that you can't do otherwise?
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post #13 of 23
5/22/06 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by K9387
Plus, I can't remember ever using them number pad, what does it do that you can't do otherwise?

I use one a lot for when I am in quicken doing my finances or just using the calculator. I became really good at using an accountant style calculator when I took accounting in high school and have done so ever since.

Though like I said in my other post, I personally don't want one on my laptop. That's why I have a keyboard hooked up to my dock.
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post #14 of 23
5/22/06 at 7:22pm
I use it at work alot(accountant), and if I'm to visit client's office w/ laptops, I always bring the USB number pad. I also think adding full number keys to a laptop is somewhat a overkill.
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post #15 of 23
5/22/06 at 7:24pm
You NEED a number pad to play Civilization! That's why I purchased a USB one. What good is having a laptop if you can't play CIV?
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post #16 of 23
5/22/06 at 7:55pm
Same here. I need a Numpad to fly in in Battlefield 2. I just can't use the mouse to fly.
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post #17 of 23
5/22/06 at 8:01pm
Gawd, I can never fly one of those things. LOL.
When I start to fly them, it's a guarantee that I'll hear "GJ jackass" from teammates after I blow full chopper w/ poor controls.
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post #18 of 23
5/22/06 at 8:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thaddyusmaximus
Same here. I need a Numpad to fly in in Battlefield 2. I just can't use the mouse to fly.

How well do the arrow keys work for that sort of thing?

PS: I use a mouse to fly. Especially helicopters (in some cases I actually prefer it).

- DH
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post #19 of 23
5/22/06 at 9:13pm
It works really well with me. The problems i have with the mouse is the little increments trying to target something. I can fly just fine with a mouse it's just trying to shoot something that's hard for me. When i use the keyboard 1 little tap on up or down in aiming makes a difference. I need the numpad for the secondary weapon in aircrafts. And yes I tried to map that to a key before. But I just got so use to flying with a desktop keyboard
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post #20 of 23
5/23/06 at 9:02am
I don't think I would like a numpad integrated into the chassis, that would offset the keyboard to an uncomfortable degree to the left. I have missed the numpad but have just gotten used to other methods..
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