Worn out of your laptop's chiclet keyboard? Epomaker assumes it has the response with its new NT68 cordless keyboard. Made with traveling in mind, it's made to rest "magically" in addition to your laptop's built-in keyboard, giving you the complete mechanical keyboard experience anywhere you go-- including full lighting as well as macro shows. Beginning at $89 for Super Early Bird pricing, is this a product worth your hard-earned gaming dollars?
Specifications .
- Existing Cost: Starting at $89 (Kickstarter).
- Format: 65-percent.
- Changes: Gateron, Gateron Low Account, Epomaker Delicious Chocolate.
- Hotswap Assistance: Yes, 3-pin or 5-pin buttons.
- Keycaps: PBT.
- Legends: Dye-Sublimated.
- Connectivity: Wired (USB Type-C), Bluetooth 5.1.
- Bluetooth Profile Support: 3 accounts.
- Backlighting: Per-key RGB.
- Programmable: Remapping, Macros, RGB Backlighting.
- Operating System Support: Windows, MacOS.
- Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 1.25 inches (LxWxH).
Presenting Epomaker's "Magic" Keyboard .
Epomaker has actually ended up being a familiar name below at laptop. We've examined a number of their keyboards and also with uncommon exemption have actually constantly located them to be a superb value for the cash. There's a shared DNA in between its boards, often featuring comparable color plans and also features with a couple of big things that establish them apart. That is the NT68 essentially: it performs the greatest selling points of its older siblings, the GK68XS and GK96S, and loads it right into a brand-new mobile format designed to replace your laptop keyboard.
The NT68 is made for travel. It includes a low-profile 65-percent design, getting rid of the feature row and also navigation and modifying collection, for a compact layout that rests atop a slim case of aluminum (top and sides) and also plastic (bottom). It's additionally offered with low-profile buttons to thin it down a lot more. It includes a folding magnetic instance which helps it glide easily into a bag and safeguards the keycaps from standing out off. Equally as notably, the instance has the ability to sustain a phone or tablet for inputting away from a PC over Bluetooth or can fold away to vanish below the keyboard and bring it to a more ordinary elevation if you discover it also reduced.
The biggest selling point is its "magic" design. The NT68 is designed to be placed directly atop your laptop computer's keyboard. The sizing and placement of the rubber bump-on feet are just so to stay clear of pressing the integrated secrets. The USB-C port is additionally positioned on the left side and also the included wire is simply enough time to link without excess size stringing out on your table.
Naturally, you can equally as easily attach wirelessly over Bluetooth. The keyboard supports three tools and also can be hot-swapped between each using a fast Fn+ Z, X, or C mix. There is a minor delay of five seconds or two as the keyboard swaps gadgets, once it's combined it keeps in mind the link and also holds it dependably.
If Epomaker's marketing is any sign, it's definitely wishing to gain Mac users with the new layout. The keyboard includes alternate keycaps to match the MacOS design as well as the feature row features the same shortcuts to your typical MacBook. The keyboard still operates perfectly on Windows as well as can be promptly exchanged between Mac and Windows layouts with Fn+ W as well as Fn+ E.
This functionality, however, corresponds previous Epomaker keyboards, and it's not the only point. We see the return of the brand name's excellent dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. They're made in Epo's GK account, which is similar to SA in their rounded shape but are much shorter and also easier to kind on. The caps have crisp tales as well as thick walls for a strong, satisfying keying experience and also the assurance that these keycaps won't beam with expanded use.
Beneath those keycaps, you'll have your option of Gateron switches over or Epomaker's very own Chocolate buttons. If you would rather exchange in your own, you can do so without the requirement for soldering thanks to the built-in hot-swap sockets. My unit included Epomaker Chocolates, which are extremely responsive yet also low-key and also softer to the touch.
Finally, for gamers as well as RGB fans, the NT68 supports complete programmability. The per-key backlighting is brilliant as well as customizable with 16.8 colors for each key. There are more than a loads predetermined effects developed into the board, however, so you don't need to invest even more than a few minutes to get the board looking terrific. Virtually every secret can be remapped or designated a macro, as well as so you do not shed performance, it likewise sustains multiple profiles that can also be changed in between with one more vital mix.
Utilizing the NT68: Travel, Typing, and also Gaming .
Taken as a typical keyboard-- special features aside-- the NT68 goes over for the money. The typing experience is exceptional. There isn't any kind of feeling of hollowness to the keyboard. Actually, it really feels surprisingly dense, that makes keying really feel and also sound enjoyable. The stabilizers came factory lubed and even felt somewhat supported, though there was no extra padding that I could see. Lube application was a little bit spotty (my backspace crucial required a little additional) but the other tricks were good right out of the box.
I would additionally advise any Cherry MX Brown followers to try the Epomaker Chocolates. They are a lot more responsive and have actually a supported base out that does not feel mushy. That pillow has a suppressive result. Although they're not identified as a silent switch, they end up being that way. I'm usually not a follower of silenced buttons but these are surprisingly great.
There's some quirkiness to the design that takes some obtaining used to. Epomaker has actually moved the Fn switch down left corner where the Ctrl would generally be placed. This is fantastic if you're a follower of using shortcuts on the 2nd layer. I routinely map IJKL to arrow keys, surrounded by House, End, Page Up, and Page Down to rapidly browse word files. This positioning works far better for keeping your hands at house row.
Unfortunately, it likewise suggests untraining on your own from using that key for Ctrl. Already, 2 weeks on with the keyboard, I still Ctrl+ C and Ctrl+ V just to find out I actually pressed Fn+ C and Fn+ V. That's particularly troublesome when connecting over Bluetooth, as Fn+ V resets your Bluetooth link to the 3rd device. It's something that has gotten better with time but I would certainly a lot instead have seen Fn in area of the Windows trick.
When it pertains to travel, Epomaker has toenailed it. The keyboard is small enough (12 x 4 x 1.25 inches) that it quickly glides into my carrier bag along with my laptop. The magnetic situation is also rather nice, protecting the secrets from standing out off inside a bag. It additionally has multiple folding factors and also 3 rubber tabs that can produce a shelf for a mobile phone or tablet. I've composed multiple write-ups utilizing just the NT68 as well as my Samsung Note 20 riding guest in the van on family journeys. I wish the keyboard had tilt feet integrated however the instance can also be made use of to angle the keyboard. It's a crucial device.
The magic function works well but is just advised for compact laptop computers of 14 inches or less. That's a little bit frustrating since numerous Windows laptops (especially gaming laptop computers) make use of 15.6-inch displays. It's one even more sign that Epomaker had Apple individuals in mind for this keyboard.
I have actually seen some discourse regarding how beneficial a feature similar to this is considering that laptops currently have useful key-boards. In that way, the "magic" of this keyboard truly will be much more minimal. That claimed, I have actually never ever made use of a laptop computer that feels rather this excellent to kind on as well as the programmability makes it a better suitable for pc gaming if your maker does not sustain macros and remapping.
If you do prepare to make use of those attributes, be planned for unfinished software program. The NT68 uses the exact same software program plan as the GK68XS and, while it's practical, isn't instinctive. Finding out how to remap keys and also get those to save to the keyboard's onboard memory took experimentation when these functions are uncomplicated on bigger name key-boards. This is an area that might absolutely be improved but will certainly obtain the work done till it is.
Last but definitely not least, we have battery life. Inside the shell, the NT68 features a 1900mAh. Without backlighting, Epomaker quotes 2-5 weeks of use. With backlighting, that drops to 20-80 hrs, depending on your mode and also brightness level. I've made use of the keyboard primarily over Bluetooth the last 2 weeks, blending RGB off when I'm out and about and the rainbow wave with full brightness in the house. There's no very easy method to tell what your remaining battery life gets on the fly, however in that time, I've yet to see the reduced battery indicator, so it's risk-free to claim you won't need to charge often.
Final Ideas .
Also if the "magic" feature will be much more restricted for Windows users, the NT68 is still a terrific little traveling keyboard. Its portable dimension and also magnetic situation make it among the very best key-boards I've used for writing and video gaming on the go. If you can obtain past the unrefined software, this is an outstanding little portable mechanical keyboard.
_ The product explained in this post was offered by the manufacturer for evaluation objectives. _.
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