Coming back to the game I decided I'd let my wife try it out and see how she likes FFXI. We have been playing together for a week now and she loves the game as I knew she would. Now we both play from our laptops, though my laptop came with a full key pad where as her's did not. This of course means she has to play with the compact setup unless she uses a different keyboard w/ a number pad. So far, for someone new to the game and online gaming as a whole, she seems to be doing well with just her compact setup. Recently however in a conversation I had with a RL buddy of mine, who plays with us, he made it sound as if she were crippling herself for not playing with a number pad. Here at last is my questions I wish to put forth.

1. Which in your eyes is better? Full or compact? Why?
2. Does playing compact really harm one's ability to play? Why?