90% 96 key form factor experience?

[Lysrin]

After @sswilson linked the RK keyboard in the Hot Deals thread, I looked around some more and saw this one.

Amazon.ca - RK96 RGB Limited Ed, 90% 96 keys

I was intrigued by this form factor, as I was with the Hot Deals linked one, but this one gets you the numpad back, sacrificing a couple of the other keys. Only thing I think I might miss in this one is a dedicated home key as I use that frequently when working on code.

Anyone used this size/layout of keyboard? Any other downsides of it I'm not thinking of?

 

[Bond007]

Interesting. I can't say I have ever used one of these, but most of the removed keys I don't really use. For me the things I would consider before purchasing (for your decision) would be on the moved delete key, smaller enter key, no spacing above the numbers to function keys, shrunk right side control/shift keys...I think those are the main ones.

I am generally a keep it simple person, so I either use full size or TKL...I don't like things to move That said I wouldn't mind test driving one of these to see how the minor adjustments affect my use.

 

[Lysrin]

Yes I did contemplate those, good points! I think the moved Del key would be okay for me. I definitely want a dedicated key for that though. I don't mind the reduced right side keys. The right Shift and Ctrl I honestly don't use that much. Likely an artifact of my bastardized touch typing! lol And I think the reduction of the Enter key is minor enough that it would work.

But of course that's a bit of guessing without actually trying it. I've also never used the yellow switches.

Aesthetically, I like the look of the linked one, but I think I'd still prefer a black one. However the black version has only blue blacklight it seems rather than RGB. I don't mind a single colour, but blue doesn't work for me.

 

[Vittra]

This was originally referred to as the 1800 layout, due to the first model of keyboard that employed them. This has less keys than the traditional layout though, but the main difference with this specific one is it's very compact vertically, with the F-row sitting immediately and inline above the numrow.

The most important thing I'd say is that if you use the numpad a lot, consider that this layout almost always has a small 0 numpad key - it almost never has the typical larger one without being physically larger or having a differnt compromise. Think about if that'd be a problem for you - a lot of people have tried and hate this compromise once they've used it awhile.

Besides that, I'd suggest considering a board that is instead remappable. That way you can think about what key you could repurpose outright, or for a function layer key - like the capslock. From there you could use Capslock (now FN) + 'wasd' or some variation for your Home, End, Pgup, Pgdown, etc.

 

[Lysrin]

It's definitely a tricky one. I was just working in some formulas in a spreadsheet was was reminded how much I use that Home cluster of buttons. Always compromises and options

Perhaps the best option still remains keeping my current TKL and adding a standalone numpad.