The 10 Best Laptops With Numeric Keypads
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in March of 2020. In this age of tablets and ultraportables, finding a laptop with a numeric keypad can be a challenge. The top row of a QWERTY keyboard works in a pinch, but it gets cumbersome in a hurry. For data entry, number crunching, and spreadsheet work, a number pad is an essential time saver. Our selections cover a variety of needs with powerful flagships, specialized workstations, and budget alternatives. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. HP Spectre x360 15
2. Acer Aspire 5
3. LG Gram
Editor's Notes
October 09, 2020:
The world of consumer technology is one of arms races: smartphones get larger, televisions sharper, and laptops slimmer. The ultrabook craze has forced keyboards to shrink, and many manufacturers have ditched the numeric keypad. That's a shame, because entering digits from the top row of a QWERTY keyboard is slow and clumsy. Any workflow that involves number-crunching or spreadsheets will usually be faster with a keypad, and they're handy for typing in credit card or phone numbers.
Because numeric keypads take up valuable real estate, they're generally found on laptops with large screen sizes. Laptops with 17-inch screens like the LG Gram provide the most screen space, while 15-inch models like the budget-friendly Acer Aspire 5 are a good balance between size and portability. The exception to the rule is the Asus ZenBook, which integrates a clever illuminated number pad into its touchpad rather than adding physical keys.
Most of our picks are suitable for general use, but it's always worth tailoring features to your needs. Gamers and creatives should look for models with strong graphics performance like the Asus Tuf A15 or Gigabyte Aero 15, while business professionals will appreciate the ports and power of the Lenovo L15. 2-in-1 models are on the rise, and the HP Spectre x360 15 and Lenovo Yoga C740 15 are both convertible notebooks with good performance specs.
If your keypad use is only occasional, you may be better served by an ultrabook or a budget laptop. You can always buy a separate numeric keypad to connect when you need it.
Special Honors
Acer Chromebook 715 Laptops with ChromeOS offer good value for users who don't need Windows apps, and this Acer model is one of the only options with a numeric keypad. Its all-aluminum frame lends a premium feel, and it has plenty of performance for everyday computing. acer.com
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Mobile workstations are overkill for most consumers, but this 15-inch powerhouse from Lenovo is a good choice for resource-intensive work like CAD or engineering. It's available in a range of configurations, including options for an Intel Xeon processor and Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card. lenovo.com
4. Lenovo Yoga C740 15
5. Asus VivoBook S15
6. Asus ZenBook
7. Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 15
8. Asus Tuf A15
9. Lenovo L15
10. Gigabyte Aero 15
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.