Would it make more sense to put the number keypad on the LEFT side of the keyboard?

[ruffilb]

I can see two advantages:

a) Decrease distance from mouse to home row, and
b) Ability to use both the mouse and the Numpad at the same time

Is there an obvious downside I'm missing?

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Most people are right handed.

Honest. Try using the numberpad with your left hand (assuming you are right handed)

 

[SolMiester]

Or use your mouse with your left!!

 

[Zepper]

A4Tech has some kbds w/ the num pad on the left specifically for better ergonomics for righties. Puts the mouse closer to the home row and centers the user on the normal keys.
I've been mulling over trying one for a while now - the A4Tech kbd (rebadged under Kensington brand) I've been using for several years now has been beddy, beddy goood to me. But the ESDFC diamond and a few other heavily used keys are pretty much worn off...

.bh.

 

[eastvillager]

Better yet, get a keyboard without a numberpad. I never use numberpad for gaming and I'm not an accountant. Works for me.

 

[HN]

Originally posted by: SolMiester
Or use your mouse with your left!!

that's what i did. i figured it was easier to learn mousing than writing with my left. increased productivity by 17% by mousing with the left and writing with the right.

 

[thescreensavers]

I rarly use the numeric pad.

 

[Ika]

I've been using numpad at work all the time (number/name entry into excel; so far i've gone through ~2000 entries of 7-digit numbers, dates, and numbers)

I've found out its not as easy to use numpad with your left hand as it is with your right. assuming you're right-handed, your left hand will naturally be clumsier.

 

[Peter]

... main problem being that left-handed numpads aren't actually left-handed. They'd have to be mirrored (enter on pinkie, zero on thumb) but aren't - and that's why you'll never reach the speed of your right hand when operating one with your left, even with practice.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: Peter
... main problem being that left-handed numpads aren't actually left-handed. They'd have to be mirrored (enter on pinkie, zero on thumb) but aren't - and that's why you'll never reach the speed of your right hand when operating one with your left, even with practice.

Yea, once i started using the numpad with my right hand, I noticed that.

Originally posted by: eastvillager
Better yet, get a keyboard without a numberpad. I never use numberpad for gaming and I'm not an accountant. Works for me.

It's nice to have some extra keys to bind to (radio commands in AA, etc), and I just like using it when entering a large number.