Hey number pad lovers, this is a keyboard we can finally agree on

Written by Alex Chen
Senior Tech Analyst with 15+ years of experience.
Last updated: July 04, 2026 - 2 min read

**Title: 🎉 Hey Number Pad Lovers, Meet Your Match: The Epomaker RT98! 🎉** Hello, fellow keyboard enthusiasts! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a mechanical keyboard that might just make you reconsider your stance on number pads. As a veteran tech journalist who's spent years navigating the keyboard landscape, I've been a staunch advocate for compact, tenkeyless designs. But the Epomaker RT98 has truly changed my tune. **A Retro Aesthetic That's Easy on the Eyes** The first thing that struck me about the Epomaker RT98 was its charming retro aesthetic. With its CRT-like screen displaying a delightful "EP" logo and a bezel that harkens back to the days of chunky monitors, this keyboard is a blast from the past in the best possible way. The build quality is impressive too, with a solid aluminum frame and a satisfying weight that makes it feel like a premium product. **A Number Pad That's Actually Useful** Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the number pad. As someone who's never been a fan of dedicated number pads, I was pleasantly surprised by how useful the RT98's number pad proved to be. It's not just a tacked-on afterthought; it's a well-integrated part of the keyboard's design. The keys are nicely spaced and have a pleasant tactile feel, making them a joy to use. But here's where things get really interesting: the RT98 comes with a feature called "Layer Switching." This allows you to switch between different layouts on the fly, including a compact layout that turns the number pad into a function row. Suddenly, I found myself using the number pad less for numerical input and more for quick access to media controls, brightness adjustments, and other handy functions. **VIA Compatibility: The Gift That Keeps on Giving** One of the RT98's standout features is its compatibility with VIA, a powerful open-source firmware that lets you customize your keyboard's layout, lighting, and key bindings. With VIA, you can create complex macro commands, remap keys, and even program custom layers. It's a power user's dream come true, and it opens up a world of possibilities for the RT98. **A Nice Typing Feel** But enough about the bells and whistles – how does it type? In a word: beautifully. The RT98 comes with Gateron Brown switches out of the box, which offer a smooth, tactile typing experience with just the right amount of noise. But thanks to its hot-swappable switch sockets, you can easily swap them out for your preferred switch if you're not a fan of Browns. **The Bottom Line** So, number pad lovers, I challenge you to give the Epomaker RT98 a try. It might just change your mind about dedicated number pads – and if it doesn't, at least you'll have a gorgeous, customizable keyboard with a fantastic typing feel to show for it. And for those of you who, like me, have been holding out on number pads, the RT98 offers a unique opportunity to dip your toes into the world of dedicated number pads without sacrificing too much desk space. With its retro aesthetic, VIA compatibility, and excellent typing feel, the Epomaker RT98 is a keyboard that's easy to love – even if you're not a number pad fanatic. Happy typing! 😊