Weird keyboard for programming

[B.def]

Laptop being considered

I've been looking at the HP dv6 for a while, but one thing I am worried about is the keyboard. The arrow keys are very strange, and the keyboard is set up different.

My question is would you still get it? I get 10% off at Walmart and I have a $50 gift card so I'm leaning a lot on this laptop.

Thanks.

 

[Markbnj]

Product not found... but yeah, keyboard is a very big deal for me.

 

[B.def]

Hm, I tried multiple links and nothing is working. On the dv6 model they integrated the up and down arrows basically on one key. As a beginner programmer, I do not know if I will be using those keys that much.

 

[WannaFly]

I've always preferred to connect a USB keyboard to any laptop when using the keyboard extended amounts. But yes, keyboard layout is important.

 

[Fallen Kell]

For programming, you want essentially a full sized keyboard. To be honest, the only laptops that I would really consider programming on would be several of the Thinkpads (like on the e1000, or SL510), like one on the Sony Vaio E, or even the Apple Macbook Pro.

In programming, you need physical keys for buttons like []{};:'",<>./?|\-_+=!@#$%^&*()~` If you don't have physical keys for them and instead need to use some combination of a function key and something else, you will very, VERY quickly HATE to program on that.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I find most laptop keyboards are lacking for general use. I find if I'm going to use a laptop for an extended period of time I look to hookup a separate keyboard and mouse.

I miss the old style keyboards that had L shaped enter keys though. Hard to find now days.

 

[Markbnj]

For programming, you want essentially a full sized keyboard. To be honest, the only laptops that I would really consider programming on would be several of the Thinkpads (like on the e1000, or SL510), like one on the Sony Vaio E, or even the Apple Macbook Pro.

I've actually had a couple that I enjoyed programming on. My current 17" Toshiba isn't bad. As long as the keys are responsive and the layout isn't too tight it will do. But I much prefer working on the desktop with a full keyboard, and I absolutely detest laptops with mini layouts where the cursor keys are moved up onto the F row, and other stupid tricks like that.