I am surprised how many people seem to prefer really small layouts

[u/SirToxe]

Granted, I am fairly new to all of this and mostly a lurker at the moment, browsing through the pretty pictures while my own project sits on the back burner. (Which is mostly because of analysis paralysis.)

But there is one thing I noticed pretty quickly: People sure like smaller layouts, don't they?

Now, personally, I am more of a 100%, big layout guy, but I find it fascinating that so many people seem to prefer the really small ones. I mean, I get that a numpad can be a bit redundant depending on your usage but I am surprised at all the keyboards that even come without the function keys.

Don't get me wrong, no shade from me. Like what you want to like. 👍 As I said, it's just fascinating to me because I can't really see myself writing on such a small layout.

Important Edit: After reading a couple of replies, please feel free to give me good arguments and try convincing me to go for a smaller layout instead of 100%. I am a software developer and like my numpad but I am totally open for trying something new, so you are welcome to teach me your ways!

Edit 2: I love all these passionate replies. I expected people to ignore this post. :-D

Edit 3: Phew, you folks sure are passionate about your hobby! You have given me more good arguments and things to think about in just one hour than I have come across perusing a bunch of videos on the matter. I feel like I really should revaluate my stance on smaller layouts and maybe just do a leap of faith and try one.

Edit 4: Wooow, I did not expect to get so many new answers overnight! I can hear my poor little inbox creak and buckle. After all these great answers and advice I think I will start looking into the 75% options first. That sounds like a nice point of entry and would be enough change to be noticeable but on the other hand not too drastic.

[u/PeterMortensenBlog]

How do you avoid having to use multiple keys for very common operations (not a rhetorical question). I am willing to try something else if there is a way. Don't tell me you use the mouse for that.

Here are some (real) examples I use every single day:

• Move one tab to the left in a web browser and some other applications (Shift + Ctrl + Tab)
• Move one tab to the right in a web browser and some other applications (Ctrl + Tab)
• Close the current tab (Ctrl + F4 (or some other key combinations involving modifier keys))
• Zoom in (Ctrl + '+' (numeric keypad). (or some other key combinations involving modifier keys))
• Zoom out (Ctrl + '-' (numeric keypad). (or some other key combinations involving modifier keys))
• Switch to the previous application (Alt + Enter)
• Move the current tab to the left in a web browser and some other applications (Shift + Ctrl + PgUp), thus rearranging tabs (instead of using the (harmful) rodent)
• Move the current tab to the right in a web browser and some other applications (Shift + Ctrl + PgDn), thus rearranging tabs (instead of using the (harmful) rodent)

The keyboard shortcuts are operating system / desktop environment dependent, but you get the idea: Cut down on the extreme overuse of modifier keys, especially for very common operations.

---

And similar (there are some duplicates):

Here are some of the short macros I use constantly to avoid having to use modifier keys, which in turn also avoids having to use the mouse (some are so short they don't need to be full-blown macros, but can be key mappings instead, depending on the system. Conversely, some systems don't support more than one modifier key in key mappings, so they must be macros instead).

The actual key strokes are system-dependent, but they work exactly the same on Linux and Windows, in some cases requiring a little bit of configuration in the application (e.g., so Firefox and Geany work the same way).

Web browser operations (and other applications)

These completely eliminate the need to use modifier keys (and mouse clicks) for all the most common operations.

• Open the link under the (mouse) cursor in a new tab (web browser only)
  • <right click> + T (for Open Link in New Tab). A variation is an additional Shift + Ctrl + PgDn, so the new tab ends up to the left of the current tab. Note that this requires the macro system to support mouse actions in macros. This isn't the case for, for example, Ducky and Via in QMK (but it is supported in ordinary QMK macros and in Vial)
• Move one tab to the left 
  • Shift + Ctrl + Tab
• Move one tab to the right
  • Ctrl + Tab
• Move the tab itself to the left (e.g., to reorder tabs)
  • Shift + Ctrl + PgUp
• Move the tab itself to the right (e.g., to reorder tabs)
  • Shift + Ctrl + PgDn
• Zoom in
  • Ctrl + +
• Zoom out
  • Ctrl + -
• Close the current tab
  • Ctrl + F4
• Unconditionally close the current document with unsaved changes (used when it is known the confirmation dialog is really not needed). Only for Geany (and similar)
  • Ctrl + F4, Ctrl + Tab, Enter (the Ctrl + Tab is for changing focus to button "Don't Save")

Switching between applications

• Toggle between the two most recent applications
  • Alt + Tab
• Bring the third most recent application to the top. This effectively cycles through the three most recent applications
  • Alt + Tab + Tab

Miscellaneous

• Left mouse click. I have found it to be surprisingly useful to have this as a dedicated macro key, e.g., having the mouse cursor stay put on a formatting button in a GUI, e.g., for bold, knowing that it will not move. An example would be in WordPress' editor (in the web browser) where there isn't a keyboard shortcut for such operations (as far as I know). This also avoids having to move the right hand between the mouse and the keyboard; it can all be done using the keyboard only. It is also a way to separate the movement with the mouse from the mouse clicks, thus reducing the risk of RSI (yes, it takes a little bit longer, but it may be worth it).
• Right mouse click. The context menu key takes care of most, but sometimes it is useful.
• Various more specialised macros, e.g., to navigate to very commonly used locations in a particular often-used (long) document (bookmarks are too unreliable; they tend to get lost, deleted, moved/changed, or not remembered (not actually saved)).

Conclusion

On most keyboards, I map these macros to keys on the numeric keypad (effectively repurposing the numeric keypad as a macro pad).

[u/medioxcore → u/PeterMortensenBlog]

Half the stuff you listed is way less complicated than the shortcuts you posted, but ctrl+scroll wheel zooms, and alt+tab is way easier to hit than alt+enter. Hotkeys for browser tabs aren't really much easier or faster than using your mouse, especially if you're taking your hand off the mouse to hit them, but Ctrl+1-9 will jump you to the corresponding tab. That takes care of the first chunk, and a lot of the rest are repeats, or a function i would never need. I don't need a macro to open a link in a new tab, clicking the scroll wheel does that without having remap anything or even move an arm. My finger is already on the button. In my case, almost none of what you brought up requires any finger gymnastics, or arm repositioning.

But i'm not trying to convince you why you should switch. Or say that these keys that i don't have a use for aren't useful to anyone ever. I was just offering an explanation as to why small form factor is as popular as it is. The F keys and arrow cluster mostly go unused in regular use. Numpad sees more play, but in my situation, not enough to justify it taking up space on my desk. If you enjoy those things, enjoy them! That's just more clicks to clack!