Thinkpads Forum

I am coming from laptops that all have centered keyboards. The newer laptops have theirs keyboards shifted to the left (due to the numpad). Now when you type with the keyboard, and when using the trackpoint, your arms are slightly slanted. How is everyone's experience with these newer laptop keyboards? I am considering not getting a new 15" ThinkPad just because of this. Coming from a 15" MacBook Pro that has a centered keyboard I can't understand why ThinkPad had to change their keyboard for the worse.

For the past hour I have been typing on my not-so-new HP EliteBook 8740w, and I didn't notice its offset keyboard until your post reminded me of it! Thus, I think it's something that might be bothersome only when one pays attention to it.

But I do find the numpad virtually useless, because I type numbers faster on the main keyboard's numbers row anyway.

With the exception of the 15" MacBook Pro (which BTW now costs $2449) most laptop keyboards are offset (because of the numpad).


Bad:

http://i.imgur.com/KWO4mXl.jpg


Good:

http://i.nextmedia.com.au/Reviews/macbo ... tina-2.jpg


With the offset keyboard, the computer is harder to use on my lap because my arms will slightly slanted to the left. It is just awkward. I don't know if I can get used to it.

I really don't want to pay $2449 for a laptop but it seems like Apple is the only company in the world that can make a computer right. 16:10 screens and centered keyboards. Retina screens, IPS screens. Excellent design. Excellent OS. Excellent glass trackpad. This is just off the top of my head. I guess I have no choice but to pay the $2449 for a new laptop, it is a shame because I really wanted to get a 15" ThinkPad but the keyboard is so bad.

Dell Latitudes and refreshed Vostros still have centered keyboards.

pianowizard wrote:For the past hour I have been typing on my not-so-new HP EliteBook 8740w, and I didn't notice its offset keyboard until your post reminded me of it! Thus, I think it's something that might be bothersome only when one pays attention to it.

But I do find the numpad virtually useless, because I type numbers faster on the main keyboard's numbers row anyway.

Your keyboard is only tiny bit offset http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/publ ... 030602.jpg

The problem I am talking about are the keyboards iwth the numpads, they are offset by much more.

Erare wrote:Your keyboard is only tiny bit offset

Having owned over 80 laptops, I should know a little bit about numpads and off-centered keyboards, shouldn't I? That photo you found isn't the EliteBook 8740w. Here's a correct photo:

https://guruv.files.wordpress.com/2011/ ... op_001.jpg

Keep in mind that standard desktop keyboards are all offset, with the number pad on the right; so if you've adapted to that, you'll likely adapt to your notebook computer having a number pad on the right.

but on a desk, you can move the keyboard in relation to the screen. This is not a luxury you have on a laptop, especially when used on your lap.

Personally i hated the offset keyboard. This was the biggest thing i dislike about the W701ds.