Modifier key plus the number row gets you that trivially, and it's no different from having to hit Fn + F-key on a laptop. But even better is that if there are things you use regularly, you can map them up to a more convenient place.
I don't use Fn on laptops, that's backwards.
F1-F12 have basic functionality, when I want to play around with something less common (like changing volume, brightness) I use Fn + F key.
