deskthority

Are there ANY keyboards with a nav cluster on the LEFT side? Or with anything of note that isn't just two columns of function keys?

As some of you know, I'm toying with a custom physical layout that is mostly the same as the one the Model M imposed as standard, BUT where the entire nav cluster is to the left of the alphanum cluster (and the multipad, but I won't be talking about it here); see workshop-f7/a-layout-based-off-the-mode ... 17306.html for the details on that.

I still have trouble believing I'm the first git to think of this, so I've been looking at older keyboards, from before the Model M, to see if I could find anything like it, but have failed so far. And when I saw JP!'s post at photos-f62/hp-2644a-terminal-keyboard-t17368.html about the HP 2644A terminal keyboard, sporting THIS layout:



... my head exploded. That layout practically screams to get the nav cluster to the left of the alphanum cluster and then benefit of its symmetry. But... nope, not done at all.

WHY? Was this idea considered anywhere at some point, but discarded? Or am I truly the first git to think of it? What am I missing(*)?

Oh, and just in case someone asks: I'm not even a leftie!


(*) Besides peace of mind, that is.

There are, look for Left Handed Keyboards e.g. http://www.dsi-keyboards.com/shop/brand ... tches-new/
I believe I've also seen one or two (Korean) custom TKL boards with the arrow keys on the left side. Apparently there is board from Ducky and the Vortex K87E as well.
I don't know of a board with nav cluster on the left and numpad on the right, but I believe I've seen a board which has it the other way round, so numpad on the left and nav cluster on the right. It probably als was a (Korean) custom

- "Left-handed" keyboards, that also have the numpad on the left.
- The Datadesk Switchboard allowed the three groups: numpad, arrow/nav and alphanumeric to be arranged in any order.
- Some split ergonomic keyboards with numpad, arrows and nav cluster on a separate part:
- The IBM M15 has arrows on both sides, although the nav cluster above is on the top right.

Personally, I like it better if the nav cluster is on the right and the numeric keypad is on the left. I really want the forward Delete key to be close to Return.

Nuum wrote: ↑There are, look for Left Handed Keyboards e.g. http://www.dsi-keyboards.com/shop/brand ... tches-new/
I believe I've also seen one or two Korean custom TKL boards with the arrow keys on the left side.

I've seen those—they're simply "mirrored" versions of the regular layout. What I mean is layouts designed from the ground up that would place the alphanum block centered between two other clusters (nav and numpad).

Sorry, I was too fast with posting, so I edited my post above to include some more options.
I also found the Tesoro Tizona, which has a modular numpad that can be attached on either side:

And this (rubberdome) board from A4tech:

And a few more if you search for "keyboard numpad left side", but that's probably not what you're searching for.

Ok, so I'm NOT the first git. That's a relief.

(I still like my idea, though )

It's a very old idea. This board is from the 70's I think.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Clicker ... 4b255c639a

Sangdrax wrote: ↑It's a very old idea. This board is from the 70's I think.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Clicker ... 4b255c639a

Yes! That's exactly it. Thanks!

Quick search on Amazon. . .

https://www.amazon.com/ALIMED-712358-Le ... ref=sr_1_9

https://www.amazon.com/Handed-Mouse-Fri ... _1_13_a_it

https://www.amazon.com/Evoluent-Reduced ... ef=sr_1_30

Oddly, I thought I'd seen true TLK keyboards advertised somewhere with the nav keys on the left, but I can't turn them up right now.

One more, numpad left, nav right:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mechanical-left ... t_1436wt_0

The IBM 5251 keyboard, with arrow keys on the left.

The unicomp keyboards that are M122 style can be reprogrammed to have the left hand function keys act as nav keys. http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/PC122

Left-handed clicky grey Alps, fully tested, pad printing is wearing off. USB with USB hub built in. Make an offer, take it home.