EPOMAKER RT98 Modular Layout Mechanical Keyboard with miniTV

Mar 24
3 min read

If you love the nostalgic look of early computer rooms but refuse to compromise on modern performance, the Epomaker RT98 is about to become your new favorite desk companion. This retro-inspired mechanical keyboard blends the charming aesthetics of the past—complete with a magnetic "Mini TV" display—with the ultimate flexibility of today. Whether you are a left-handed accountant needing a southpaw numpad, a gamer wanting more mouse space, or an enthusiast chasing that perfect thock sound, the RT98's modular design adapts to exactly how you work and play. It is a stunning, highly customizable centerpiece that proves your daily typing tool can be both a trip down memory lane and a leap into the future.

Project Overview

Name and Creator: EPOMAKER RT98 Modular Layout Mechanical Keyboard with miniTV by Epomaker.

What It Is: The RT98 is a 98-percent layout, retro-inspired mechanical keyboard. It features a fully modular, detachable number pad and a magnetic smart display, allowing users to physically reconfigure their typing setup to suit their specific workflow while enjoying premium, enthusiast-grade typing acoustics.

Key Features

Modular Numpad: The numeric keypad is completely detachable and can be snapped to either the left or the right side of the main board, making it perfect for left-handed users or gamers looking to free up desk space.
Magnetic Mini TV Display: It features a 1.14-inch customizable screen shaped like a vintage television that attaches via pogo pins. It displays real-time system stats, the time, battery life, and can be customized to show your own uploaded GIFs or images.
Triple-Mode Connectivity: The keyboard supports wired USB-C, stable 2.4G wireless, and Bluetooth 5.1. It can connect to up to four devices simultaneously, allowing you to seamlessly switch between your computer, tablet, and phone.
Enthusiast Acoustic Build: Designed for a satisfying thock sound, it features a patented gasket-mounted structure paired with five layers of sound-dampening materials to reduce hollow resonance and typing fatigue.
Hot-Swappable Switches: Equipped with Epomaker's self-developed mechanical switches on a hot-swappable PCB, allowing you to easily change switches without soldering to find your perfect typing feel.
Massive Battery: It houses a large 8000mAh battery to keep you typing wirelessly for extended periods.
VIA Support: Fully compatible with VIA open-source software, making it incredibly easy to remap keys, program macros, and customize your layout.

Rewards

Kickstarter Pricing: Backers can secure the Epomaker RT98 at a Super Early Bird price of 89 dollars, offering a steep discount for early supporters.
Options: The keyboard is available in native southpaw and right-handed preset layouts, with keycaps that support both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Delivery: The campaign is structured for a fast turnaround, with global shipping to backers estimated to begin in late April or May 2026.

Concept

The core concept is Adaptable Nostalgia. Epomaker believes that a keyboard should be more than just a simple peripheral; it should be the creative heart of your workspace. By bridging classic typewriter and retro-computer aesthetics with forward-thinking modular flexibility, they aim to give users a tool that looks like a piece of history but functions with cutting-edge customization.

Inspiration

The project was inspired by a gentle reflection on iconic visual memories. The designers drew upon the restrained gray-white palettes of the earliest computer rooms, adding subtle accents of pink, purple, and green to evoke warmth. The tiny television screen was designed to capture the nostalgia of the era when TVs first entered everyday life. Meanwhile, the modular physical layout was born out of a desire to solve real workflow bottlenecks, ensuring that everyone from coders to left-handed creatives could build their ideal setup without compromise.

EPOMAker RT 98 Keyboard - Kickstarter