The Epomaker RT82 is a wireless gaming keyboard with a mini-LCD screen for customizing the look of this keyboard.

EPOMAKER

It’s incredible how much the keyboard market has expanded over the past few years. Mechanical keyboards are not merely a typing tool; they can also reflect their user’s tastes and personality. There are so many different designs and sizes of keyboards on the market, ranging from keyboards that look like an antique typewriter to the latest sci-fi designs that look as if they came out of Star Trek.

The Epomaker RT82 is a new mechanical keyboard featuring a 75% layout with 80 keys that brings together the retro spirit of early computer keyboards with the latest input technology. The keyboard has classic design elements like PBT keycaps with the iconic 9009 colorway, blending gray, muted green and vintage red. It’s a keyboard that’s bound to appeal to anyone hankering after a bit of nostalgia but who doesn’t want yesterday’s tech.

The RT82 is a wireless gaming keyboard and it comes with a magnetically detachable TFT screen, which clips onto the keyboard and can be personalized with graphics. The display also shows essential information, such as time, date, battery status, connection OS, connection type and lock status of the Win key and Caps Lock.

Mini LCD Screen

The mini-LCD screen is there to help you stay productive while providing quick access to basic information without disrupting your workflow. The screen also lets you showcase your style by uploading a personalized GIFs or a corporate logo. You can store up to three different GIFs on the display.

Inside the keyboard is a 4000mAh rechargeable battery with up to 115 hours of use with the backlight turned off. With the backlight on, the operating time is around 45 hours between charges. There is a choice of three connectivity options: Bluetooth, USB-C and 2.4GHz RF dongle.

This is a fully hot-swappable keyboard with easy switch replacement and precise typing angles. There is a choice of the Sea Salt silent switch or the Creamy Jade switch. The keyboard also has adjustable heights for the ideal angle to give a more comfortable typing experience using the three tilt options that ensure the wrists are in a neutral position. A built-in kickstand provides plenty of stability, making the RT82 suitable for longer typing sessions.

Programmable With VIA

Like so many mechanical keyboards these days, Epomaker’s RT82 can be programmed using software or the VIA web interface. This feature lets you remap of any key to improve workflow. It can also be programmed with macros that speed up repetitive tasks and there’s even access to advanced features like Mod-Tap for improved gaming performance.

The RT82 uses a gasket-mount design with an innovative five-layer padding system made up of a latex sandwich, an IXPE switch pad, a PET sound-enhancement pad, bottom foam and a bottom silicone layer. These layers reduce the key noise and produce a softer typing experience. The factory-fitted linear switches are all pre-lubed, so each keystroke is quiet and comfortable.

The feel of the RT82 is slightly on the soft side so if you prefer a more clacky sound when typing or want a more tactile feel, you can swap out the switches. I took the RT82 for a test and the one problem I encountered was difficulty in syncing the time and date on the mini display.

Display Customization

The RT82’s keys have vibrant RGB backlighting for lighting up your desk. There’s a choice between dynamic lighting effects or static colors, all backlights are fully customizable in terms of hue, saturation and brightness levels using either key press combinations or VIA software or web-interface.

Epomaker has set up a dedicated web page for setting the time and date as well as uploading up to three custom GIF images. You need to use a HID-compatible browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. It can be a bit of a struggle to get it to sync if you have a Mac, but I managed to do it in the end and that little screen makes for a great desk clock.

Pricing and Availability:

The Epomaker RT82 is now available on the Epomaker official website, Amazon store and AliExpress. The keyboard is priced at $85.99.

Tech Specs:

• Model: Epomaker RT82
• Layout: QWERTY, ANSI US Layout,75%.
• Number of keys: 80.
• Screen: 1.14-inch LCD.
• Battery: 4000mAh rechargeable.
• Battery life: 14 hours (RGB On & Screen On); 17 hours (RGB On & Screen Off); 45 hours (RGB Off & Screen On); 115 hours (RGB Off & Screen Off).
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless / Bluetooth x 3 / USB A-C.
• Compatibility: macOS / Windows / Android.
• Front height: 21.8mm.
• Typing angle: 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees and 11 degrees (2-stage kickstand).
• Case material: ABS.
• Plate material: PC.
• Stabilizers: Plate-mounted.
• Mounting structure: Gasket mount.
• Sound dampening: Latex, IXPE switch pad, PET sound-enhancement pad, bottom foam and bottom silicone.
• Keycaps profile: Cherry.
• Keycaps material: PBT plastic.
• Keycap legends: Dye-sublimation printing.
• Switches: 3/5-pin mechanical.
• Backlight: South-facing RGB LEDs.
• Polling rate: 1000Hz in USB and 2.4GHz modes, 125Hz in Bluetooth mode.
• Latency: 3ms in wired mode, 5ms in 2.4GHz mode and 15ms in Bluetooth mode.
• Anti-ghosting: Yes, supports N-Key Rollover.
• Dimensions: 326.7 x 143.2 x 39.8mm.
• Weight: 1kg.

Intel’s Arrow Lake-S desktop processors just got better inside your PC, without you doing anything, all thanks to OTA (over-the-air) software updates.

These Arrow Lake processors, launched last year as the Core Ultra 200S series, received a muted response at release. However, new testing indicates that performance has improved substantially since then. According to benchmarks published by Phoronix, the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K now runs about 9% faster on average under Linux compared with its launch results. It achieves these gains while using 15% less power.

In simpler terms, your Arrow Lake PC will get slightly better at gaming and many other tasks, automatically. These improvements come entirely from software updates, including microcode refinements, kernel tuning, and compiler optimizations that have allowed the hardware to perform as originally intended.

Why the Gains Matter

Arrow Lake’s launch was marked by inconsistent performance and efficiency that fell short of expectations. The new data shows how much software can influence hardware behavior, reinforcing that significant gains do not always require new components.

Intel is also addressing performance on Windows systems. The company has released an “Application Performance Optimizations” (APO) tool that adjusts CPU power distribution in real time. Early testing shows up to a 14% increase in frame rates in some games. If Windows updates continue to align with Linux improvements, Arrow Lake owners may see similar benefits across both platforms.

Why Should You Care?

Users who already bought Arrow Lake processors effectively gain a free upgrade simply by keeping drivers and software updated. For those who avoided the platform due to early reviews, the improved stability and efficiency may change its appeal as the platform continues to mature.

The European Union issued a €120 million fine (about $140 million) against X on Friday for violating the Digital Services Act. Elon Musk’s social media platform was found to be using its popular blue tick verification deceptively.

It marks the first time a company has been penalized under the law. Elon Musk responded on X with a one-word post: “Bullshit.”

The dispute intensified a day later when Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, accused the European Commission of exploiting an internal posting format to boost reach for its announcement about the fine.

Bier claimed the Commission used a format reserved for advertisements, despite not using its ad account since 2021. He also alleged the Commission published “a link that deceives users into thinking it’s a video and to artificially increase its reach.” The post in question does contain a video.

In response, X disabled the European Commission’s ad account. The move is unlikely to have a meaningful impact, as the Commission reportedly has not used the account in years.

Regardless of the platform dispute, X remains responsible for the €120 million penalty unless it succeeds on appeal. The company must also present a plan within the next 60 days addressing the “deceptive” use of verified checkmarks or risk additional sanctions.

The European Commission has been contacted for comment by The Verge.