The form factor of this keyboard just doesn’t look right. What’s missing? Oh, the numpad has been completely removed! We use our numpad almost exclusively (especially when coding) so it’s a little hard to figure out why [Ludw] did this. His only mention of motive is that he wanted the mouse closer to the main part of the keyboard and that he didn’t use the numpad. No matter what the reason, we still think he did an amazing job of giving new life to the older keyboard.
It started out as a plain old beige Cherry G80-3000 keyboard. After cracking open the case [Ludw] carefully traced out the connections between the key matrix and the PCB which provides the USB connection. This is because the controller is mounted over on the part of the PCB he his about to remove. Before making the cuts he desoldered all seventeen switches (these can be reused to fabricate a new keyboard, or add switches to various projects). He then lopped off the depopulated substrate and used point-to-point soldering to reconnect the controller. A bit of case alteration removed the extra space while also reusing the nicely molded edges. A clean and tidy paint job finishes the hack.
[via Reddit]
I don’t know much about keyboards in other countries but it just seems wrong: two A’s two U’s two O’s , Y and Z reversed.. Nevertheless it still looks great.
It’s german layout, and the second A/O/U’s are actually “Umlauts”, Ä;Ö;Ü
He’s just looking for two mentions in HaD; Next week he’ll do a numeric keypad you can make from lopping of the left hand side…
The only time I use numerical part of the keyboard is to press Numlock and turn it OFF.
Yep. They do make keyboards without the number pads, and my arm’s a lot more comfortable without having that big gap between the useful keys and the mouse.
you must be right handed……….. try being a left handed power user.
I was looking at an HP laptop with a 17 inch screen seriously considering a purchase. That was until I noticed that the function keys were missing.
Apparently, some bean counter convinced an ignorant decision maker that people do not use function keys.
Never let an ignorant bean counter tell you what your tech should have in it. You will loose sales.
HAD: We use our numpad almost exclusively (especially when coding) so it’s a little hard to figure out why [Ludw] did this
What kind of coding do you guys do that allows you to use the numpad exclusively?? Even if you code in machine language, you’ll have to use A to F..
I hate not having a ten key pad for data entry. I basically only use the top row of keys for the symbols.
Man, you guys use your number pads? I don’t think I’ve even touched one in about ten years. In fact, a keyboard without one is a big plus for me. I hate not having my hands directly centered under the monitor!
Wouldn’t it have cost less to buy a keyboard without numpad?
You are missing the point angie, entirely. These things are made because you can and you want to challenge yourself, It’s not a matter of ordering a new one.