Full or Compact - A question for PC users

[Pufardo]

1) Full KB - Free range of both hands... However, I'm still using a Logitech PS3 style gamepad,
2) I dunno, I try not to play XI on my netbook because the compact KB bugs me, having to FN-NUM to walk then FN-NUM to go back and type... also if I hold FN-8 to walk and let go of the FN key I keep walking... so much fun when aggroing a IT++ oops!

[Amerlyn]

1) Full KB - Free range of both hands... However, I'm still using a Logitech PS3 style gamepad,
2) I dunno, I try not to play XI on my netbook because the compact KB bugs me, having to FN-NUM to walk then FN-NUM to go back and type... also if I hold FN-8 to walk and let go of the FN key I keep walking... so much fun when aggroing a IT++ oops!

Sounds to me like you didn't change the config settings in FFXI for your laptop. If you go into the Config settings you can easily set it to use wasd to move and such. This gets rid of having to use the FN Key.

Back to Topic: I have used both full and compact. Before my computer blew up I used Full. Back then I would have said Full atw. But now I play on a netbook. Have it set to Compact and since I have been playing games with wasd more and more lately, this feels much more natural to me. As a few ppl have stated though, it all depends on what feels more natural to you. I don't believe there is a difference in performance between the two.