> For example, the large Caps Lock key is a waste of space on a crowded keyboard. I never use it, but often hit it by mistake CAUSING ALL LETTERS TO BE CAPITALISED.
Some people remap this to Ctrl. Anyway, users are so accustomed to a physical key in this position (regardless of what function they map it to) that it would be a disservice to remove it.
> Other keys that are seldom used and could probably be done without are: Scroll Lock, Insert, SysReq, Home, and End. Removing unnecessary keys would free up space and improve usability.
Are you kidding about not using Home and End? They are the lifeblood of text editing on Windows. Have you never selected a line with Shift+Home? Jumped to the end of the text with Ctrl+End? Or do you always mouse-select text?
One of my laptop keyboards did not have dedicated Home+End keys, and had to access them with Fn+PgUp/PgDn. It was inconvenient to use, and was glad to switch to a ThinkPad that had real Home+End keys!
> Google took some steps in this direction when they introduced Chromebooks in 2011. They removed the Caps Lock key, all the F1 to F12 keys, Home, End, Delete, Page Up/Down and the entire number pad.
You can't seriously be approving the removal of F1 to F12 keys. Do you not use F2 to rename a file? F3 to find next? Alt+F4 to close a window? F5 to reload a webpage? F11 to full-screen the browser? F12 to open the web development pane?
> Apple have removed some of the more peripheral keys, including Page Up/Down [...] Removing Caps Lock would be great but I find the Page Up/Down keys to be very useful
Glad to see that you don't agree with the removal of PgUp/PgDn.