There’s a loud group of people who swear by number pads. And there’s everyone else who doesn’t care. The Epomaker RT98 might be the compromise both sides can live with.
It’s a mechanical keyboard with retro vibes, a silly little CRT-like screen, and VIA compatibility. The main draw: a modular number pad that moves to either side. Left or right — your call.
The Verge gave it a 7/10. At $119, it’s budget-friendly-ish.
The typing experience is solid. Two switch options: Sea Salt Silent V2 linears (quiet, smooth) or Creamy Jade linears (crisp, marble-like tone). The Creamy Jades are the winner — richer and darker than similar boards in this price range.
Switching the numpad takes about 30 minutes. You remove bottom screws, pop off the cases, swap internals, reattach. It’s fiddly but doable. The plastic build is the weakest part — prying it open feels nerve-wracking.
The magnetic CRT screen shows date, time, connection status, or loops cat GIFs. You can upload your own. Not much practical use, but it’s fun.
Downsides: plasticky build, printed legends on keycaps look cheap, moving the numpad is a process. You can find nicer aluminum boards at this price point.
But if you’ve been hunting for a southpaw board that doesn’t look like a gaming rig from 2015, this is a solid pick.
