A little over a month ago, Epomaker released a new keyboard as a part of their RT-lineup of keyboards, but it lacked one thing…a mini-TV screen! The RT-lineup of Epomaker’s keyboards incorporate a miniature TV screen as to connect to a vintage and retro-tech aesthetic. Well, there’s a new RT keyboard on the block, and it features a detachable TV screen (the same one I love)! The RT82 is the newest entry to Epomaker’s library of prebuilt mechanical keyboards this holiday season.
We’ve covered and tested several of Epomaker’s keyboards over the past two years, consistently surprised and delighted by their products quality, durability, price points, performance, and creativity. Several prebuilt keyboards on the market tend to lean exclusively into utilitarianism, while Epomaker pushes the envelope in designing keyboards that stand out on your desk and feel great to use. They’re pretty dang affordable, too!
Click here to check out the Epomaker RT82 from Epomaker’s website! (non-affiliated URL)
Epomaker has positioned the RT82 as an extension of their RT-lineup of prebuilt mechanical keyboards, most of which emphasize vintage technology. It’s a 75% keyboard, meaning that it has the Function row along with several function keys (like Home, Delete, etc.) that most consumers use on a day-to-day basis. Best yet – it has a new and improved detachable mini-TV!
Like its predecessors, the RT82 is made of ABS plastic. The plastic is lightweight yet slightly durable – it does not bend when attempting to twist the keyboard or when I press firmly down in different areas. I’m usually not the biggest fan of plastic, as it feels and looks less premium than aluminum. That said, the ABS plastic used on this keyboard looks just like an old-school IBM or Mac keyboard, at least in terms of how it feels in-hand.
Alas, the RT82 comes with a removable mini-TV! Hooray! The little screen, while lacking the utility of a volume knob or another key or two, makes for a uniquely designed keyboard and offers oodles of personalization. The screen is part of the reason why I’ve fallen in love with the RT line of keyboards. That said, this implementation is different from prior mini-TVs, as it magnetically attaches to the top-right hand corner of the keyboard (sort of like how my older Pixel Watch attached to its charger). While I appreciate the shift from USB-C to the magnetic pogo pins, it takes up some real estate in the corner of the keyboard that could be used by something like a volume knob.
To customize the screen, Epomaker had me visit a website (instead of downloading a launcher). The website was pretty barebones, giving me a handful of options to enable (such as syncing the clock with my computer) along with the option of uploading my own gif. I appreciate that Epomaker has opted for a web-based tool such as this, but it’s too barebones for my liking. Compared to their RT100 (and earlier RT keyboards with a screen), this tool lacks the community-based aspect of seeing what others have uploaded and finding high quality gifs/images that are already properly sized for my keyboard’s little screen.
In the event that you want to remap keys, you’re in luck – the RT82 is compatible with QMK/VIA! Like some of Epomaker’s other keyboards, all you need is to download the json file from Epomaker and import it into your VIA instance and you’re good to go. To my knowledge, this is the first prebuilt keyboard with a screen that’s fully compatible with QMK/VIA while also featuring a customizable screen. If this means that more of Epomaker’s keyboards with screens are compatible with one of the most popular software suites out there, I’m all for it. Hopefully they give some more love to their screen customizing tool, though.
The keyboard feels ever-so-smooth and sturdy thanks to its gasket mount and adjustable kickstands. When pushing the keyboard up one notch (from 5 to 7.5 degrees), it feels perfectly ergonomic and aligns well with my wristpad. The PC plate within the keyboard amplifies the acoustics a bit all the while producing deeper thocks. Some of this can be attributed to the switches, which I’ll cover shortly, while some of it can be attributed to the sound-absorbing foams that come in just about all of Epomaker’s keyboards. Epomaker knows how to pack their keyboards full of just the right amount of foams, that’s for sure.
Moving onto the keycaps, the RT82 comes with PBT keycaps preinstalled. They’re the same quality of PBT I’ve come to expect from Epomaker, featuring shine resistance and of decent quality. If you’re not down to have a keyboard with earth-tones (like this one does), they’re easily removable with a keycap remover. I love the keycaps that come with the keyboard, though: They perfectly complement the white-green color scheme of this keyboard without looking too loud.
Beyond what I have already mentioned, the RT82 comes with the bits and bobs that come standard on most prebuild keyboards these says, such as tri-connectivity, a decent-sized battery, and acceptable polling rates in most modes. There’s the standard wired mode (which I generally prefer), wireless Bluetooth (with a smaller polling rate), and a 2.4G mode that requires a dongle that’s conveniently tucked away at the back of the keyboard. If you’re aiming to use this wirelessly, it comes with a 4000mAh battery which generally lasts a few days before needing to be charged again. Seeing as this keyboard has a screen, you should stick to using it in Wired mode so you don’t have to worry about battery life.
This keyboard comes with one of two switches pre-installed: The Epomaker Sea Salt switches and the Epomaker Creamy Jade switches. I’ve tested both of these switches on other keyboards and feel that they are good middle-ground switches for most consumers’ needs. If you need a silent switch, the Sea Salts will give you that cushy silence that you need. If you want a loud yet satisfying thock, though, look no further than the Creamy Jades.
Over the past few months, I’ve fallen quite in love with Epomaker’s Creamy Jades. They were originally unique to the TH line of keyboards, but now they’re coming pre-installed on several other models. These are some of the creamiest and satisfying linear switches available from Epomaker, so I’m thrilled that they’re available for the RT82. You’re going to want them on this keyboard if you’re looking for something that truly thocks. They’re quite stable, as well.
The Creamy Jades are best described as audible chocolate and sound delicious. I know the name “creamy” is in the switches’ name, but I was not prepared for how deep and satisfying the switches sounded when typing. For reference, these sound deeper than the Akko Pro Yellow V2 and KiiBOOM’s Matcha Lattes (any version). Thanks to the sound dampening materials within the TH108, the keyboard produces a relatively mid-level thock that isn’t too loud.
In practice, I had no issue doing work and playing most games using the RT82. I shouldn’t have issues, though: The Creamy Jade switches are excellent switches for all-around work and gaming. If you’re into higher-intensity games (like VALORANT, Destiny 2, Counter-Strike 2, or even Starfield), the Creamy Jades might not be sensitive enough for your liking. That said, if you play a wide variety of games, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of the RT82 and its switches.
I’m thrilled with Epomaker’s RT82, as it looks and feels like a natural evolution in their existing RT lineup of keyboards with a vintage tech aesthetic. Its detachable pogo pin mini TV adds a delightful touch of personalization while its construction produces the most satisfying and creamy thocks. It’s definitely a prebuilt to consider this holiday season.
