Ubuntu does the same with the Italian keyboard, only it’s AltGr and , (comma) for the acute accent (which I use when I need one on a vowel other than E in languages other than Italian). I think it can be made to do the same with a US keyboard (where the right Alt becomes the AltGr).
I have an Italian keyboard. ;-) The Alt-nnnn thing only works with the left Alt key, the number keypad and only under Windows, AFAIK.
Mac laptops have alt+keyboard keys, so é would be alt+e then e if you’re on a mac.
Ubuntu does the same with the Italian keyboard, only it’s AltGr and , (comma) for the acute accent (which I use when I need one on a vowel other than E in languages other than Italian). I think it can be made to do the same with a US keyboard (where the right Alt becomes the AltGr).