This is too, too cool!

And it even works to assign style keyboard shortcuts.

And there’s even an option to keep the iPhone from going to sleep when the app is running.

And there are several skins for the appearance of the number pad.

I love it!

It’s a little weird to press the Cmd on the regular keyboard the the number on the iPhone, but it works!!!

Check out KeyRemap4MacBook.
However, do not download version 5.1.0, instead go to this page, scroll down to the comments and look for a reply from the developer regarding NumPad/NumLock, offering a download for version 5.1.60.
This version will automatically activate a “virtual” NumPad, exactly as we used to love it, with all Fn keys in place. (For us users of the Swiss keyboard particularly the “Num+” key is of major importance, because the Swiss layout otherwise doesn’t provide a dedicated “+” key!)
Additionally, besides of many other obscure key remap possibilities, you can also get your Enter key back instead of the right-hand option key.

Of course, this solution is rather something for experienced users. While I can’t report any problems after few days of use, as you can read in the ChangeLog on the download page, previous versions of this software could sometimes cause your Mac to behave weird. So act on your own risk…

But I have found a workaround. However, for initial setup it requires an older Mac with integrated NumPad – or an external keyboard (not tested).

1) Install an application which is able to execute global actions based on your custom keyboard shortcuts. I can highly recommend Butler, which can do that with ease, and much more. (Don’t forget to donate!)

2) In Butler set all of your original InDesign NumPad shortcut variations using a NumPad keyboard and assign to them the new “numpadless” shortcuts you want to use instead. For example: set cmd-num1 to be executed by pressing cmd-ctrl-1. (Basically you are simply replacing the fn key with the ctrl key.) Also, it’s more safe to set Butler to execute each shortcut in InDesign only. You should also check that none of these shortcuts are already in use in ID.

3) If you were not performing the previous steps on your numpadless MacBook (with an external keyboard attached), in the Butler window now put all your new shortcuts into a container (“folder”) and drag it to the Desktop. It will create a .butleritems file (actually a simple plist file). Then transfer the butleritems file to your numpadless MacBook Pro (with Butler already running there) and double-click it. It will install automatically.

4) Now you should be able to use your new shortcuts instead of NumPad. It even works for assigning new styles shortcuts.

The trick behind it is that Butler stores the hardware Key Code numbers as well, not just the output character of a key. NumPad numbers use Key Codes in the range of 82–89 and 91–92.

Actually, you can also download my personal butleritems file to start with, but you may need to remap certain shortcuts to fit your keyboard layout. I use a Swiss German layout, hence shortcuts involving the option key possibly won’t work on the U.S. or any other layout.

Also, certain modifier combinations may interfere with other global shortcuts like cmd-shift-3 for taking screenshot. You may need to remap these in the Keyboard Shortcuts System Preference pane first.

Having worked on a pc for 30 years and this being my first mac… the best macbook pro maxed on memory… frankly I think it totally sucks. It’s great for surfing the web, but when it comes down to work, the programs freeze more than on a pc. It’s a very problematic laptop. Not worth the money.

Steve’s right.

I didn’t post this to start a pissing contest between Mac and PC.

I posted to alert Mac users who understand the use of the fn key that the newer generation of MaBooks have taken away the function.

It is something that Mac users need to consider if they are going to buy a new portable.

And it’s something that should be mentioned to Adobe as a new reason to change the way style shortcuts are assigned.

That was why I posted.