- Numpad Keyboards Also known as a numeric keypad, number pad, or ten key. A numpad is the palm-sized, 17-key section of a standard computer keyboard.
- Numeric Keypad & LED Indicator Full-size keyboard provides everything you need at your fingers: the media/fn keys, numeric pad etc. Only if you use the numbers, you will know how important to get a keyboard with attached number pad!
- Mechanical Numeric Keypad GATERON Blue Switch Wired Gaming Keypad Crystal Case White Backlit 21 Keys Mini Numpad Portable Keypad Extended Layout White Magicforce by Qisan Wireless Number Pads, Numeric Keypad Numpad 22 Keys Portable 2.4 GHz Financial Accounting Number Keyboard Extensions 10 Key for Laptop, PC, Desktop, Surface Pro, Notebook.
- The premium design, great specs and of course the affordable price placed it at the second position in our recommendations to be the best laptop with numeric keypad. The keyboard is a standard island version with a full-size layout including a 10-key numeric keypad. All the keys are in the usual places and are of average size.
A membrane keyboard is a computer keyboard whose 'keys' are not separate, moving parts, as with the majority of other keyboards, but rather are pressure pads that have only outlines and symbols printed on a flat, flexible surface. Very little, if any, tactile feedback is felt when using such a keyboard.
Membrane keyboards work by electrical contact between the keyboard surface and the underlying circuits when keytop areas are pressed. These models were used with some early 1980s home computers, enjoying wide adoption in consumer electronics devices. The keyboards are quite inexpensive to mass-produce, and are more resistant against dirt and liquids than most other keyboards. However, due to a low or non-existent tactile feedback, most people have difficulty typing with them, especially when larger numbers of characters are being typed. Chiclet keyboards were a slight improvement, at least allowing individual keys to be felt to some extent.
Aside from early hobbyist/kit/home computers and some video game consoles, membrane-based QWERTY keyboards are used in some industrial computer systems, and are also found as portable, even 'rollable-collapsible' designs for PDAs and other pocket computing devices. Smaller, specialised membrane keyboards, typically numeric-and-a-few-control-keys only, have been used in access control systems (for buildings and restricted areas), simple handheld calculators, domestic remote control keypads, microwave ovens, and other similar devices where the amount of typing is relatively small or infrequent, such as cell phones.
Modern PC keyboards are essentially a membrane keyboard mechanism covered with an array of dome switches which give positive tactile feedback.
Mechanism[edit]
The membrane keyboard consists of three layers; two of these are membrane layers containing conductive traces. The center layer is a 'spacer' containing holes wherever a 'key' exists. It keeps the other two layers separated.
Under normal conditions, the switch (key) is open, because current cannot cross the non-conductive gap between the traces on the bottom layer. However, when the top layer is pressed down (with a finger), it makes contact with the bottom layer. The conductive traces on the underside of the top layer can then bridge the gap, allowing current to flow. The switch is now 'closed', and the parent device registers a keypress.
Typical applications include;
- Industrial controls
- Access control systems
- Medical equipment
- Telecommunications apparatus
- Telephone systems
- Household appliances
- Security systems
- Office use
Source, APEM, Membrane switch panels
List of keyboards with membrane interfaces[edit]
QWERTY layouts unless otherwise specified
- Atari 400 (full-travel replacement keyboards much like those that came with the Atari 800 were available)
- Cambridge Z88 (arguably a mix between a membrane and chiclet keyboard)
- Elektronika BK-0010, in early versions (it was a Russian home computer, hence the JCUKEN layout)
- Magnavox Odyssey², also known as the PhilipsVideopac G7000 video game console
- RCACOSMAC VIP, a do-it-yourself (DIY) kit computer with 16-key hex keypad
- Robotron Z1013, Eastern-German home computer (alphabetical layout)
- SegaSC-3000, a computer version of an early Sega game console
- Science of Cambridge Microcomputer Kit 14 (MK14); the initial version had a 20-key extended hex keypad
- Sinclair ZX80, a pioneering British home computer that was available as a DIY kit
- Sinclair ZX81 (similar to the preceding entry)
- Speak & Spell (ABC layout until 1989)
- SynertekSYM-1, a sibling of the MOS/CBMKIM-1 with a 29-key extended hex keypad
- Timex Sinclair 1000 (a U.S. version of the ZX81)
See also[edit]
The keypad utilizes Cherry MX Brown mechanical key switches, the same low-force, tactile mechanical key switch used in our popular Advantage2 and Freestyle Pro keyboards. Mechanical switches are spring-loaded for a quick rebound to improve both speed and accuracy, and are rated for 50 million keystrokes for unmatched durability.
References[edit]
External links[edit]
A mechanical numpad makes data entry a breeze. However, the recent popularity of smaller, more portable laptops and mechanical keyboards in “tenkeyless”, compact or mini sizes has left the numpad by the wayside.
Smaller keyboards have the benefits of portability, and allowing you to keep your mouse hand closer to your keys. By adding one of the best mechanical numpads from our selection, you can have the best of both worlds, a modular mechanical numpad for when you need it, and all of the benefits of a smaller keyboard or laptop when you don’t.
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- The 8 Best Mechanical Numpads for Laptops and Tenkeyless Setups
Not to mention it feels nothing short of amazing to clack away on a mechanical numpad. Adding a mechanical numpad to your setup is an excellent battlestation upgrade.
The 8 Best Mechanical Numpads for Laptops and Tenkeyless Setups
Cherry G84-4700 Mechanical Numpad
Cherry is easily the most recognizable name in the mechanical keyboard industry. They’ve created one of the best mechanical numpads in the Cherry G84-4700 Mechanical Keypad. This is an almost fully customizable mechanical numpad. The software to program the keys is available on the Cherry website.
This is a very slim numpad, it is only about 4 inches long. The Cherry G84-4700 uses Cherry’s low profile mechanical switches.
The top 4 keys are relegendable, so you are able to label them with your own custom text.
- Cherry MX ML Low Profile switches
- 21 keys, all programmable and 4 relegendable
- Slim design
- N-Key rollover
Filco Majestouch FKB22MB Mechanical Numpad
Filco is a well known brand to mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Filco Majestouch FKB22MB is a great choice for a mechanical numpad. The Cherry MX Brown switches are quieter than the Blues but still provide a satisfying bump, in place of a loud click.
This mechanical keypad does support N-Key rollover, meaning if you hold two or more keys down at once, it will repeat only the last key you held down.
Much like the Jelly Comb (below), the layout of these keys make them easier to type with. Chili1 driver download for windows 10. The keycaps curve to better align with your finger tips.
Unfortunately, this mechanical numpad does not support ALT codes.
With that said, it is still a great keypad and that is why it is on our list of the best mechanical numpads.
- Cherry MX Brown Switches (tactile, but not clicky)
- 22 keys
- Num Lock, Backspace, Esc, Tab keys
- N-Key rollover
Jelly Comb Mechanical Numpad
Typing Numbers Pad
The Jelly Comb Mechanical Numeric Keypad is perfect for those wanting a simple, functional and clicky mechanical numpad. The braided USB cable is an excellent touch, making it more durable if you intend to travel with it often. Cherry MX Blue switches are incredibly durable as well.
The ergonomic layout of the keys make them easier to type with. The keycaps curve slightly as you move down each to row to better align with your finger tips.
Jelly Comb Numeric Keypad
This mechanical numpad is plug and play for Windows machines, Mac users may need software like Karabiner. Unfortunately it cannot perform ALT codes.
If you wish to swap the keycaps, standard Cherry MX keycaps will work for most keys, the “0” key may need slight modification.
The overall design will mesh well with many popular mechanical keyboards and peripherals, and with no major drawbacks it is easy to list this keypad as one of the best mechanical numpads.
- Cherry MX Blue Switches (clicky)
- 22 keys
- Num Lock, Backspace, Tab, Parenthesis keys
- Braided USB cable
- Sleep/Wake-Up function
- No N-Key rollover
- White version available
Genovation Controlpad CP24 Mechanical Keypad
The Genovation Controlpad CP24 is a fully progammable mechanical numpad that uses Cherry MX Black switches. It also comes with a removable cable which makes it easy to travel with.
If you’re looking for a highly customizable keypad, this is the best choice. It will allow you to program any character or function to any key. It will even allow you to program 2 things to the same key using 2-level programming. Don’t worry, the keypad comes with software that is intuitive and simple to use to help you program it exactly how you’d like it.
The keys are relegendable, meaning you can place paper, or photo prints under the clear plastic to label them however you’d like. It also comes with a bitmap and PDF template to easily design and print your own key labels if you decide to do that.
This keypad may cost a bit more than others but it is easily one of, if not, the best mechanical numpads you can get if you’re looking for a custom solution and quality hardware.
- Cherry MX Black Switches (tactile, but not clicky)
- Easy-to-use software for programming
- 24 keys, 2-level programming for 48 key equivalent
- Programmable, relegendable keys
- Removable wire for portability
- Low power consumption
- N-Key rollover
ABKO Hacker K522 Mechanical Numpad
The ABKO Hacker K522 is essentially the same as the Jelly Comb mentioned above. It has Cherry MX Blue switches, and is a great, clicky mechanical numpad. If you find that the Jelly Comb is out of stock, this is the best alternative.
This numpad does not support ALT codes.
- Cherry MX Blue Switches (clicky)
- 22 keys
- Num Lock, Backspace, Tab, Parenthesis keys
- Braided USB cable
- Sleep/Wake-Up function
- No N-Key rollover
Kinesis USB Numeric Keypad
The Kinesis USB Numeric Keypad is a basic mechanical numpad that uses Cherry MX Brown switches. It does include a USB 2.0 hub and some extra dedicated keys, which are a plus. It does support ALT codes.
Mechanical Numeric Keypad Codes
Unfortunately it is not compatible with Macs.
- Cherry MX Brown Switches (tactile, but not clicky)
- 21 keys
- Not Mac compatible
- Integrated 2-port USB 2.0 hub
- Tab, Backspace, Equals, and Esc keys
Mechanical Numeric Keypad Key
Goldtouch PC USB Mechanical Numeric Keypad
The Goldtouch PC USB Mechanical Numeric Keypad is a simple mechanical numpad with extra functions/characters mapped to each key with Shift/Fn. These extra functions make more complicated tasks easier to execute quickly, without having to revert back to the main keyboard.
This mechanical numpad is plug and play for Windows, although some users have had issues with the “00” key not functioning correctly.
- Cherry MX Brown Switches (tactile, but not clicky)
- 22 keys
- Num Lock, Esc, Backspace, Tab, Shift/Fn keys
- No N-Key rollover
Realforce 23U/23UB Mechanical Numpad
If you prefer Topre switches to Cherry MX switches, then this is the mechanical numpad for you. It is a bit pricey but it seems to be the only option for Topre users.
It can be customized with 4 DIP switches to set keys to different settings. Those settings are:
- Switch 1 off: Tab=Tab, BS=BS, Shift=Shift and “=” = “=”
- Switch 1 on: Tab=Cut, BS=Copy, Shift=Paste and “=” = BS
- Switch 2: 00=00 or 00=000
- Switch 3: NumLock independent/system
- Switch 4: Standard/no application
The keycaps are black on black creating a clean and modern style. It would go well next to blank keycaps, if you currently use them.
- Topre Switches (tactile, but not clicky)
- 23 keys
- Customizable keys
- N-Key rollover
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