Latest news with #QMK
WIRED
23-04-2025
- WIRED
WobKey's Rainy 75 Mechanical Keyboard Punches Above Its Weight
The Rainy 75 is a common sight on the r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit, a community that nerds out about the thock of a keyboard and, naturally, fun keycaps. It seems like every week or so, someone posts about their new purchase from WobKey, and every time, the consensus revolves around how good of a budget option it is. That's because, for under $150, the Rainy 75 has every feature you could want in a mechanical keyboard today. There are a few strange design choices, but I finally got my hands on one, and I'm impressed by this keyboard. The Rainy 75 is available in three flavors: Lite, Standard, and Pro. The Lite retails for $129 and includes HMX Violet linear switches, a polypropylene plate, and a 3,500-mAh battery. The Pro—the model I tested—includes Kailh Cocoa linear switches, an FR4 plate, RGB lighting, and two batteries totaling 7,000 mAh for $159. The Standard is in between and costs $139. Poppy, Crisp, and Smooth Photograph: Henri Robbins Typing on the Rainy 75 feels and sounds fantastic. It has that poppy, crisp typing sound you see in videos online, and typing feels every bit as energetic and enjoyable. I assume the 'Rainy 75' name comes from the typing sound, since its softer and rounded sound profile sounds like rain falling. The linear 'Cocoa' switches are manufactured by Kailh for the Rainy 75. These switches have a relatively light operating force of 45 grams, which is comparable to a Cherry MX Red, and use a polyoxymethylene stem (POM) and Nylon housing, which helps to create a marbly typing sound and a smooth typing feel. The switches are responsive, popping back up quickly after being pressed, and have hardly any scratch, even when pressed down slowly. The stems of these switches have little wobble from side to side or front to back, making keypresses feel sturdy. The stabilizers on this keyboard come pre-lubed and, despite being plate-mounted instead of printed-circuit-board–mounted, they feel fantastic. While I could talk about how smooth and quiet they are, it's easier to say that I didn't even notice they were there when typing. These stabilizers are tuned perfectly and don't require any work out of the box. That said, I imagine that, like most plate-mounted stabilizers, they will require a reapplication of lube after a while. Photograph: Henri Robbins The gasket-mount system holding the keyboard together is really impressive. It feels bouncy and soft without seeming too muted or mushy. The dampening from the gaskets is consistent across all of the keys, only becoming somewhat stiffer around the edges. Finicky Functionality This keyboard has some quirks that, while not huge, can be annoying. Sometimes, when pressing Alt+Tab on this keyboard, or any other key combinations involving the Tab key, I have to press the combination twice for it to work. I've resolved these oddities by turning the keyboard off and on. Typically, one of my favorite features on a mechanical keyboard is support for QMK and VIA. QMK, short for Quantum Mechanical Keyboard, is an open source firmware that allows for almost limitless customization of a keyboard's layout. VIA is a system for customizing specific QMK-compatible keyboards using an in-browser interface. These allow for simple and efficient customization of mechanical keyboards, meaning a QMK-enabled keyboard will have long-term support without reliance on proprietary software that may stop being updated after a few years.
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Epomaker Unveils Its Fashionable Luma84 Low-Profile Mechanical Keyboard
Keyboard brand Epomaker has launched its latest Luma85 75 mechanical keyboard with a 75% and 84 key layout. The new Luma84 has fashionably low-profile keycaps for stylish office use and is available with black or white keycaps. Epomaker was founded by a group of gamers, software engineers, product designers and mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who wanted to make their own keyboards. This latest model answers the increasing demand for keyboards that can be customized Thanks to QMK firmware and support for VIA software, users can configure this hot-swappable mechanical keyboard to improve their workflow with more flexibility. For example, users can use the Luma84 to automate repetitive tasks by creating macros that can streamline coding or improve efficiency in the office using the keyboard's open-sourced QMK firmware or the intuitive web-based interface of VIA software. By customizing settings, users can remap keys for a more ergonomic layout or by swapping switches for ones with different trigger forces and tactile behavior. Mechanical keyboards can help boost productivity and personalization. Although the new Luma84 has a smart office look, it's also aimed at serious gamers. Made with an aluminum case and featuring grease-free PBT keycaps, the Luma84 has a sturdy construction and minimalist appearance that makes it suited to a range of uses. The switches fitted on the Luma84 are Gateron's low-profile design which are shaped for a more ergonomic feel that Epomaker says can reduce strain on the typist's wrists while offering fast response times thanks to a shortened key travel distance that's also designed to feel very smooth. Users can choose between Red linear switches or more clicky Brown versions. These days, an increasing number of people like to pick a keyboard that reflects their personality. Logitech has responded to this with its POP range of colorful mechanical keyboards and the Epomaker Luma84 addressed this same Gen Z market. With the Luma84, users can transform their workspace with a keyboard that has a minimalist style as well as wireless connectivity that does away with a tangle of cables. However, for those who want a wired connection, the Luma84 has a USB Type-C port with a high-speed polling rate of 1000Hz, which gamers will appreciate. The keyboard also ships with a 2.4GHz USB dongle that provides a wireless connection that also has a 1000Hz polling rate. For those who want to work across multiple devices, the Luma84 also offers Bluetooth connectivity with instant switching between up to three devices across platforms. So, it's possible to move between a Windows PC, an iPad or an Apple MacBook using the same keyboard. Compatibility also includes support for Android and Linux. While the stock keyboards that ship with many desktop computers are unsophisticated and cheap membrane designs, they can cause wrist strain and tired fingers. The Luma84 has a gasket mount design that provides a low-profile rake and a mechanical feel that many people prefer. By suspending the keyboard plate with Gaskets and packing the space with various sound-absorbing foams and silicone, Epomaker has eliminated the hollow echo of some mechanical designs that can cause friction in a shared office. With a soft and responsive feel thanks to pre-lubed and tuned switches, Epomaker claims the Luma84, helps boost productivity while providing a more comfortable and durable typing experience. Low-profile keyboards seem to be growing in popularity as regular profile mechanical keyboards are reminiscent of the clunky old keyboards used on mainframe computer terminals in the 1970s. The Luma84's DSA profile keycaps on the Luma84 have dye sublimation and double-shot legends for a clearer finish. Other legends, such as the keys with macOS modifiers, are picked out in lighter shades. Meanwhile, all the keys of the Luma84 have south-facing RGB backlighting that can be customized by color and motion effects using hotkeys and the web-based VIA software. The Epomaker Luma84 75% mechanical keyboard is available now from the Epomaker website and priced at $109.99.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Forbes
Epomaker Unveils Compact Carbon60 Wireless Keyboard With Sleek New Look
The new Epomaker Carbon60 keyboard has a compact 60% ANSI layout that takes up less desk space. Desktop real estate is now almost as valuable as a New York parking lot. Many of us use so much technology that there's always pressure for desk space. One way of reclaiming more space is to drastically reduce the footprint of the keyboard you are using. We're going to be seeing a lot more micro keyboards coming onto the market and the latest that I've seen is the new Epomaker Carbon60. Carbon is something of a 'dirty word' these days but this mini wireless keyboard with its 60% ANSI layout has a clean carbon fiber shell and a minimalist feel. There are no function keys or cursor cluster, but those functions are all accessible in conjunction with the Fn key. The Epomaker Carbon60's carbon fiber shell is designed to resist corrosion, oxidation and scratches, helping it to look smarter for longer and extending its useful lifespan. Unlike many keyboards with plastic shells, carbon fiber provides a more durable and modern feel. The low-profile Epomaker Carbon60 keyboard features hot-swappable switches with south-facing RGB ... More backlights. Paired with a spray paint finish, Epomaker says the Carbon60 has a 'fashionable and sophisticated visual aesthetic, perfectly catering to users who value both performance and appearance.' To finish the contemporary look of this compact keyboard, there is a light blue fabric loop handle that's there to make it easier to carry around when used as an adjunct keyboard to a laptop. That loop can be removed if desired. The keycaps used on the Carbon60 feature a DSA low profile with a flat surface and a uniform key height coupled with a smooth finish. There is an option to have the Esc and Enter keys in blue, to match the fabric loop handle. Alternatively, there are two black Esc and Enter keys provided for a completely black look. The overall design reduces typing movement for a lighter and faster typing action. Epomaker says the keyboard reduces typing fatigue, making it particularly suitable for high-efficiency work environments like coding. The Epomaker Carbon60 has a fabric loop handle that matches the color of the Esc and Return keys. Inspired by its minimalist feel, the Epomaker Carbon60 has a compact 61-key layout that takes up a lot less desk space than most keyboards but keeps the core functionality needed. Beyond its focus on aesthetics and comfort, the Carbon60 supports QMK/VIA programming which enables users to remap individual keys and even apply macros to keys. As well as being programmable, the Carbon60 keyboard is cross-platform compatible for seamless switching between multiple operating systems, making it suitable for users with a large range of devices such as tablets, laptops and desktops running on Windows, macOS or Linux. Each key and switch on the Carbon60 has south-facing RGB lighting, letting users customize the lighting effects and colors according to their preferences. With a variety of colors and lighting effects to choose from, users can tailor the settings to suit their needs or turn it off altogether if necessary. The switches are low profile and hot-swappable so users can change the feel and sound of the keyboard. The Epomaker Carbon60 is now available on the Epomaker official website. It comes in Gateron Brown low switch and Gateron Red low switch options. The keyboard is currently on sale for $129.99 from the Epomaker official website.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
The Lemokey L5 HE 8K pairs Hall Effect keys with ultra-fast polling rates
Lemokey, a gaming-focused sub-brand of Keychron, has announced the L5 HE 8K, a wired gaming keyboard featuring Hall Effect magnetic switches. Designed for competitive gamers, the keyboard boasts 8,000Hz polling and scan rates, which is said to reduce latency to just 0.125 milliseconds. Its Ultra-Fast Lime Magnetic Switches offer adjustable actuation points ranging from 0.01mm to 3.35mm, with a sensitivity increment of 0.01mm. The keyboard comes with a 75% layout and is built with a CNC-machined aluminum body, with Cherry Profile double-shot PBT keycaps, and north-facing RGB backlighting with 22 lighting modes. The L5 HE 8K also comes with both top and gasket mount styles for customizable typing experiences and includes a built-in analog joystick mode for smoother control that tries to mimic modern game controllers by detecting how far you press a key. It is also QMK compatible, allowing for extensive key mapping and macro customizations via the Lemokey Launcher web configurator. We've seen multiple keyboards recently featuring Hall Effect switches including the Wooting 80HE, Glorious GMMK 3, and Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX. Unlike traditional mechanical switches, these use magnets and sensors instead of physical metal contacts to register keystrokes. This allows for adjustable actuation points, near-instant response times, and improved durability since there are no metal contacts to wear out. These switches are particularly favored in gaming keyboards due to their precise control and longevity. Most Hall Effect switch-based gaming keyboards not only give you control over the actuation distance of each key, but also offer a feature called rapid trigger. As explained in this review, this allows the switch to have a dynamic actuation and reset point. Instead of requiring a key to be pressed and released at fixed points, it will actuate and reset based on its movement direction. The L5 HE 8K will offer a similar feature where you can activate and deactivate keys based on travel distance which gives gamers an advantage especially in competitive shooters, as you can strafe much faster. Having said that, this feature is being frowned upon and has been banned in Counter-Strike 2 in both official Valve servers and in ESL events. Available in three colorways—Cyber (Black and Green), Dark Master (Black and Red), and Dawn Master (White and Brown)—the Lemokey L5 HE 8K is available for pre-order on Kickstarter at an introductory price of $199, with an expected shipping date in May 2025.
