Full FeedWhy does Apple hate numbers?
As you likely know by now, Apple has quietly changed its wired keyboard so that it no longer includes a number pad. One with a number pad can be swapped out if you buy online. In store, though, is a different story. An Apple representative told me that in store purchases will come with the standard (no numbers) wired keyboard. This isn’t unexpected, as order customization has never been available at Apple Stores if you buy a computer “off the shelf.” The logic behind the change, though, is not really there.
I have to wonder if Apple is grasping at straws to make a change in a sea of incremental upgrades and no new designs. Logically, it makes very little sense to chop the number pad off of the wired keyboard. The Bluetooth version made sense, because no number pad creates a light, small, very portable keyboard: perfect for a wireless accessory. A wired keyboard will be staying on the desk its computer is on. It just won’t be moving around that much, so why take off the number pad? Does Apple really think you need that four square inches of desk space back?
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I actually like the numberless keyboard. Personally, I work in a tightly arranged environment and this could be a benefit. My desk is made out of glass, so I have the mouse pad taking some space, with the keyboard in front of the 22’’ LCD and the CPU right next to it (couldn’t find anywhere else to place it without having to buy extension cords). The numeric part of my keyboard goes unused. I kind of/sort of never use it, and it’s easily 1/3rd of my keyboard. I’m not saying that losing that solves my space problem, but it makes it easier for me to arrange everything.
Besides, it looks cool. (Yeah, I know, that throws all my post away)
We are one step closer to having a Mac desktop that’s basically a thorn apart MacBook.
on March 3, 2009 at 09:38 PM - LINKOh, I have a Bluetooth keyboard and love it. I never use a number pad. But I still question the applicability of that concept to the wired keyboard, and feel like ther may be a few in-store buyers who want a number pad but don’t get it.
on March 3, 2009 at 10:22 PM - LINKI live and work in a world of numbers being in telecom and I can NOT live without my number pad. If need be when I buy my next iMac i will simply throw away the keyboard…..........seems like a waste.
on March 4, 2009 at 03:54 AM - LINKBeing left handed I have always had an issue with the numeric keypad. I would like a small wireless number pad to place on the desk about 10 inches to the left of the alpha keyboard.
on March 4, 2009 at 07:45 AM - LINKThe missing numbers are bad enough, but what about the missing fn/home/page up // (fwd) delete/end/page down keys?!?!? I use home/end & page up/page down all the time ...
on March 4, 2009 at 11:20 AM - LINKThe keyboard that came with my first Macintosh (a 128k model) did not have a numeric keypad. The keyboard for my second Macintosh had a numeric keypad, and that keyboard didn’t fit in the Macintosh bag I purchased with my first Mac (it stuck out of the top).
Apple used to sell a separate numeric keypad. I don’t remember if it was Apple branded or third party; it matched the Apple keyboard in color and design. Maybe they will do that again.
on March 4, 2009 at 11:40 AM - LINKThe keyboard WITH numeric keypad is a no cost option from the online Apple Store.
on March 4, 2009 at 02:31 PM - LINKWhy? Cost. Apple is as price conscious as any other PC maker. It may not seem like it, but they are. Every “frill” is deliberate, and chose for cost effectiveness. This is not a criticism.
on March 4, 2009 at 05:21 PM - LINKHaha, it would never occur to anyone why there isnt numeric keypad. This is because PC are seen by apple as machine which live in offices which are grey, boring, used for business stuff and accounting. Whilst apple is freedom, fresh, clean, personel and great design. Numeric keypad would never appear on apple because its the pc element apple doent want, as it conflicts with apple vision.
on March 8, 2009 at 12:07 PM - LINKExcept that there have been numeric keypads on every Apple standalone keyboard until the aluminum Bluetooth one a year ago, and there continues to be a number pad option.
on March 8, 2009 at 12:09 PM - LINKHey evil, the 1960s called. They want their tired hippie rhetoric back.
on May 9, 2009 at 01:36 PM - LINKErgonomists everywhere are having a party with number pad-less keyboards making a mainstream appearance in the world. For those of you who use your number pad on a very regular basis, of course you will want the extended keyboard (and consider mousing with your left hand). But for a large percentage of the population, the number pad usually just acts as about 4” of space to reach over to access the pointing device.
Reaching over the number pad on a standard keyboard immediately raises the risk of a repetitive strain injury. You rotate from the shoulder, you reach for the mouse, and ultimately end up planing your wrist and pinching the mouse to manipulate it. Reaching over the number pad is one of the biggest contributers to computer related injuries. If you don’t need the numbers, get rid of them.
on May 21, 2009 at 03:05 PM - LINK