HACKER Q&A
📣 seansh

Are there any keyboard extensions easily attachable on a laptop?


I don't mean external numeric keypads, my laptop already has that (and never used it). I mean just a few extra modifier keys (control, alt, super, etc) which can be easily attached on a laptop and reachable by thumbs.

Take a look at the thumb keys of keyboard.io and you know exactly what I mean.

This would be very useful for programming especially in editors such as Emacs, where you want your fingers to stay on the home row for faster typing but avoid using the small fingers to prevent RSI (Repeated Strain Injury).

I've tried remapping the keys to move all the modifier keys closer to the thumbs, have tried some hacks with input-remapper [1] to redefine the keys for short-presses, long-presses, hold etc. and have tried Emacs key-chords. But I think nothing would beat having just a couple of extra keys reachable by the thumbs.

Alternatively, are there any laptops which have such keyboards with extra modifier keys?

[1] https://github.com/sezanzeb/input-remapper

  👤 mmphosis Accepted Answer ✓
No. The PC keyboard is stuck in the 1980s. The only innovation being the upside down T arrangement of the arrow keys. A few years ago when I started using windows, I was told that I would quickly get used to the keyboard arrangement, but I have not.

Outside of work, I use Linux with AutoKey and xmodmap which is still painful but an improvement over the total inflexibility on win10.

Things that are broken:

Inconsistent hot keys.

Function keys.

Numlock.

Caps lock.

Shift key xor.

FIrst two letters often get capitalized.

Over strike mode.

Useless keys: scroll lock, insert, super.

An easy way to create your own layouts for multiple keyboards that get plugged in and out. We should be able to physically rearrange keys and the key code moves with the key.

👤 thecrumb
I'm not aware of any laptops with layouts like this. An external keyboard is the answer - ZSA is another option: https://www.zsa.io/
👤 jaclaz
Try searching for "programmable keypad" or "macro pad", if I get it right, you want something loosely like the Falcon 8 (example only):

https://www.maxkeyboard.com/shop/keyboards/mechanical-keyboa...

https://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-falcon-8-rgb-custom-programm...

👤 TacticalCoder
> Alternatively, are there any laptops which have such keyboards with extra modifier keys?

3 days old thread but in case you read this... Simply buy a japanese laptop and remap it as you fancy. The advantage is you'll get a tiny (narrow) spacebar (make sure to pick a laptop with a very narrow spacebar). Then you'll have several modifiers which can easily be reached with the thumbs.

Source: I'm rocking a HHKB Pro JP japanese keyboard since years and years and years for my desktop (even though I don't speak japanese).

👤 BMc2020
you could try 'stream decks' on amazon - basically a box of buttons that are keyboard macros. Made for youtubers and live streamers so they can not have to talk and type complex commands at the same time.

Xah Lee's site:

http://xahlee.info/kbd/programable_keyboards_with_onboard_me...

probably covers every alternative input device there is. Poke around, there is a lot of interesting content there.