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Tenkeyless or “TKL” keyboards lack a ten-key number pad. Many people prefer this design due to its greater ergonomics and portability, although it’s not a great option if you need to type a lot of numbers.
Computer keyboards are having a moment right now, and models without a number pad are leading the way. But the benefits of a tenkeyless or “TKL” layout aren’t always obvious, especially if you can’t tell the difference between a full-size keyboard and a tenkeyless alternative.
Tenkeyless keyboards do not have a numeric keypad.
Technology grows along with culture, work and the economy. These forces are symbiotic, and as a result, many of the quirks and patterns we see in computers are a reflection of the not-so-digital world.
Take a computer keyboard, for example. The main layout of its keyboard is based on an old typewriter. But the numeric keypad, which has been an accessory to computer keyboards for several decades, never existed on typewriters. Instead, the ten-key number pad comes from cash registers. (Although the ten-key button layout was originally designed for “adding machines” in the early 20th century.)
The first computers, even the ones without a keyboard, were closely associated with mathematics. And as this technology became more affordable, it quickly took over banks, accounting offices, and engineering departments—jobs that require a ton of numerical data entry. Combining the ten-key number pad with a QWERTY “typewriter” layout only made sense.
But we are knee deep in the 21st century. Even if you use a number pad at work, you probably don’t need one at home. That’s why “tenkeyless” or “TKL” keyboards are so popular. They’re exactly the same as regular full-size keyboards, and even have a horizontal row of number keys, but they don’t have a dedicated ten-key number pad.
Why use a keyboard without a numeric keypad?
Outside of the workplace, PCs are used primarily for entertainment, hobbies, shopping, and paying bills. The average computer user isn’t filling out giant spreadsheets. So for many people, a number pad is just a waste of space.
You could argue that the numpad is useful, even if you don’t need it too often. But it increases the width of a keyboard by almost 20%. And since the number pad is usually located on the right side of a keyboard, it can create a frustrating barrier for right-handed users: it increases the distance between the mouse and the keyboard. (This is not only annoying, but can contribute to wrist strain.)
Not to mention, the reduced length of a TKL keyboard means it can actually sit in the middle of your desk. So instead of turning your arms to the left every time you type, your arms can be centered, reducing stress on your wrists and shoulders.
Yes, the horizontal row of numbers at the top of a keyboard is slow and unintuitive, the opposite of a dedicated number pad. Some people like to have a number pad for the rare occasions when they type numbers, and that’s fine. But if you can tolerate the horizontal number keys, a tenkeyless keyboard may not be a bad choice.
TKL keyboards are also portable
An extremely long keyboard will always have trouble fitting into a bag, even if it’s nice and slim. Cutting the number pad reduces the length of a keyboard by approximately 20%, meaning TKL keyboards are significantly more portable than their full-size brethren.
This added portability is useful for students and professionals who need to take a personal keyboard on the go. That being said, users of mechanical keyboards see the most benefit, as mechanical keyboards tend to be quite thick.
Personally speaking, I’m not sure why you would take a loud mechanic keyboard outside the house. But it’s a common habit among keyboard fans, who often buy or build portable TKL mechanical keyboards just to use on the go.
The TKL layout is different from a 75% layout
Technically speaking, any keyboard without a numpad is “no keys”. But this term is usually reserved for a specific keyboard layout: On a TKL keyboard, there are three columns of keys located next to the Enter key. These columns contain all of your navigation keys, including the arrow keys, the home key, page up, and page down.
This is different from a “75% keyboard” layout, which includes the navigation keys in a single column next to the Enter key. Also, 75% of keyboards tend to use a very small right-shift key, as this is the only way to accommodate a bunch of arrow keys.
If you need something extremely portable or rarely use the navigation keys, a 75% layout may be your best option. It’s basically an extra-compact version of a TKL keyboard.
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