A built-in number pad makes a Chromebook faster for spreadsheets, bookkeeping, and any job where you type figures all day. The top pick is the HP Chromebook Plus 15a, a Chromebook Plus with a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, an Intel Core i3-N305, and updates through June 2033. Chrome Unboxed said its keyboard and trackpad, with the full numeric keypad, make “a really productive experience.” For less money, the fanless HP Chromebook 15 (15a-na2) has the same kind of keypad, 8GB of RAM, and updates through June 2033, but its screen is only 1366x768. The Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-5H) is the other budget choice: it adds a Full HD screen with the same June 2033 update date, and its base model has 4GB of RAM, so buy an 8GB model if you keep many tabs open.
All Chromebooks with a Number Pad
Models are grouped by manufacturer. Each card links to the full specs, ports, and review notes for that model.
Showing 16 Chromebooks with a number pad
ASUS (5)
Acer (5)
Lenovo (3)
Samsung (1)
Number Pads Come on 15.6-Inch and Larger Chromebooks
A wider body leaves room for a full-size keyboard with a keypad beside it, which is why nearly every Chromebook on this list has a 15.6-inch screen or larger, up to 17.3 inches. None of the 14-inch or smaller Chromebooks we track has a separate keypad.
The 14-inch ASUS Chromebook CX9 has no separate number keys. On configurations that include it, ASUS puts a lit NumberPad inside the touchpad instead; ASUS lists it as optional, so check the exact model before you buy. You tap an icon in the corner of the touchpad to show the digits, then tap them like keys. It saves space, but flat glass gives you no key travel, so it suits occasional number entry better than all-day data entry.
The Keypad Moves the Keyboard and Trackpad Left of Center
A number pad takes up the right edge of the keyboard deck. That pushes the letter keys to the left, and the trackpad usually moves left with them. When you open the lid, your hands will want to settle at the center of the laptop, and on these models that center is not where the home row is.
Touch typists feel the shift most. Tim Rattray at How-To Geek reviewed the 16-inch Acer Chromebook Plus 516. He wrote that the off-center layout “threw off all my laptop typing motor functions,” and he kept hitting the wrong keys. TechRadar liked the feel of the HP Chromebook Plus 15a keyboard, but found that the character keys are “somewhat squeezed” to make room for the keypad. If you touch-type fast and rarely enter numbers, a Chromebook with a centered keyboard and a USB number pad may suit you better.
Check the Keypad Layout Before You Buy
Not every Chromebook number pad has the standard four columns. Chrome Unboxed found that the keypad on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is missing keys on its right edge. They said this makes quick calculations without looking down “basically impossible.” MergeDroid flagged the “odd layout” of the plus and minus keys on the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 in the MergeDroid channel’s 514 versus 516 comparison. If you do a lot of ten-key entry, look at a keyboard photo on the maker’s product page. Check for a full column of plus, minus, and Enter keys on the right edge before you order. None of the three picks above lights its keys, so if you type in dim rooms, compare this list with our Chromebooks with backlit keyboards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chromebooks have a number pad?
Many 15.6-inch Chromebooks have one, including models from Acer, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. The HP Chromebook Plus 15a, the HP Chromebook 15 (15a-na2), and the Acer Chromebook 315 are good choices. The full list is above.
Are there 14-inch Chromebooks with a number pad?
Not with separate number keys. Some configurations of the 14-inch ASUS Chromebook CX9 show a lit number pad inside the touchpad, which works for occasional number entry. For a keypad with real keys, buy a 15.6-inch or larger model.
Can I add a number pad to a Chromebook?
Yes. A USB or Bluetooth numeric keypad connects to a Chromebook the same way an external keyboard does. This is a good option if you want a centered 13- or 14-inch keyboard and only enter numbers at your desk.
Does a number pad make the keyboard harder to type on?
It can. The keypad moves the letter keys and usually the trackpad left of center, so your hands rest off to one side of the screen. Reviewers of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 and the HP Chromebook Plus 15a both flagged the layout. Touch typists who rarely type numbers may prefer a centered layout.
