I've grown too dependent on the number pad to use anything but a full keyboard.
Of course, my work tends to involve a ton of equations, so I get that not everyone needs it. I also use alt codes for various symbols and using the number bar for that feels unnatural.
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I hear you. Couldn't you have a numpad in a different layer and not have to move your hand as much!
Ya, I also am a numpad addict. Not a fan of 40%s for sure. Glad for the people who do like them though
I just have a numpad on a layer, but yeah, it's definitely not for everyone. The reason I switched to a blank 40% (and Colemak-DH) was to force myself to learn to type correctly, that worked and now I love it
If it's not a full sized Model M with the extra row of function keys. I feel like I'm typing on a chocolate bar.
Recently wanted to buy my self a wireless mechanical keyboard for programing on the coach. Took fucking ages to find one that didn't have half the keys missing. And when I ask people why the keys are missing, they start ranting about the sin that the existence of these keys is and that you don't even need them. Well tough shit, I quite actively use the F row and Home/End, and not just when programing, but in games and regular operation too.
Yeah. I'm cool with people using whichever form factor they feel like, even supremely obscure ones, but sometimes it's annoying when the feature set I'm looking for is only available in either a full 105-key battleship or something cut down like a 60% or less. A TKL would be perfect but that form factor is surprisingly unpopular these days.
I'm trying out a slightly-less-than-TKL "80%" next; that has almost all of the keys I need and with some remapping I should be able to make it work.