Epomaker TH40 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

[VSG]

Epomaker thinks small can be mighty with the new TH40, a 40% form factor keyboard with "only" 44 keys that forces you to re-think efficient keyboard typing. Featuring layers, extensive onboard controls, and VIA support, the TH40 is also one of the least expensive 40% keyboards ever made.

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[bonehead123]

No.....just.... friggin.... NO already

I generally like Epo's stuff, but they can keep this one, as it would about as useless as bomb without a detonator IMHO

 

[EatingDirt]

This layout is weird and I'm confused by the people that like it. Unless you're a novelist that is willing to get accustomed to a totally re-arranged layout, or use an additional macro-keyboard for numbers/functions, 40% feels like a bridge too far, regardless of quality.

 

[Deesider]

Surely the worst keyboard imaginable for programming. Needing to learn macros for every secondary key on the number row, along with braces, colon, semi-colon etc.
About the only thing it can do easily is ctrl-c + ctrl-v.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I'm joining the choir here. Just no. I have no issues with reduced size keyboards, I have two four(just looked). But there is a limit to how many keys that can be removed and remain reasonably functional.

@ Epomaker
It doesn't matter how popular you claim the above reviewed keyboard is, it is niche to an extreme and will never be anything more.

Instead of reducing the number of keys, try taking a full function keyboard or something close and reduce it's physical size/scale. You need to experiment to find out how small is too small to be useful and comfortable, but it's far better direction to go.

For example: Try something like the following and scaling it down 30%;

This keyboard is a an 80% model that has all of the functionality I require. It could be smaller though.
(In case anyone is wondering, that example can be found here.)

 

[Event Horizon]

Personally, 75% is my limit (see RK84 as an example below). Anything lower is all negatives with zero positives for me.

 

[Haile Selassie]

I really have a hard time understanding what's the actual benefit of using such a contraption other than techno-mascochism of the alleged customer base.

Surely the worst keyboard imaginable for programming. Needing to learn macros for every secondary key on the number row, along with braces, colon, semi-colon etc.
About the only thing it can do easily is ctrl-c + ctrl-v.

This is for ChatGPT programmers then.

 

[Chrispy_]

This keyboard is so dependent on layers that the Fn key is more important that the spacebar, apparently.

Honestly, training your muscle-memory for fast touch-typing on this thing must be a chore, and it's only good for this one specific layout, too. It's not like you can transfer that learned skill to other 40% keyboards, even if you're a 40% fan (and I'm most definitely not).

I do get that there's not really a 'standard' 40% layout but this one looks weirder than most, and therefore is going to require more adjustment than most. I might be an outlier perhaps, but the #1 decision I make when choosing a keyboard is the layout. If it's not standard or close to standard then it's immediately disqualified for being an abomination against my existing touch-typing skill set.

 

[VSG]

This keyboard is so dependent on layers that the Fn key is more important that the spacebar, apparently.

Honestly, training your muscle-memory for fast touch-typing on this thing must be a chore, and it's only good for this one specific layout, too. It's not like you can transfer that learned skill to other 40% keyboards, even if you're a 40% fan (and I'm most definitely not).

I do get that there's not really a 'standard' 40% layout but this one looks weirder than most, and therefore is going to require more adjustment than most. I might be an outlier perhaps, but the #1 decision I make when choosing a keyboard is the layout. If it's not standard or close to standard then it's immediately disqualified for being an abomination against my existing touch-typing skill set.

Most 40% keyboards have ortholinear columns, so this one actually can be easier to get used to with the staggered columns.

 

[SN2716057]

Yeah, no. I have a tiny keyboard (Ducky One 2 SF) at work cause I only have to type stuff, and a separate numpad for boring billing and shit.
But this?
I have seen some IT with something like these

 

[Onasi]

I have been re-reading the review several times over the day and I still have no real idea who the target audience for this is. Don’t get me wrong, I like smaller keyboards. I like 80s, 75s, even 60s. But this is just too limited to be useful. And as for its use as a side keypad - there are more practical and cheaper ways of doing the same. Just a weird product all around. I am still happy it exists and is decent (for what it is), since I am sure there is SOMEONE out there for whom it’s the holy grail endgame board.

 

[Tartaros]

I have been re-reading the review several times over the day and I still have no real idea who the target audience for this is.

Psychos. It's for psychos. 75% compact is too cramped but doable, this is just a hand cramp machine for no real reason unless your work environment is so small every inch counts.

 

[phxrider]

Why, just why?

 

[bitsandboots]

I was thinking "who would not be inconvenienced by putting numbers and symbols behind some function keys" and then I saw this

This layout is weird and I'm confused by the people that like it. Unless you're a novelist ...

I was about to agree but then I realized novelists need quotation marks that are missing from this keyboard too.
This keyboard seems to be an answer to a question nobody asked.

 

[yslee]

How many layers does this have, and can both LT and MT be programmed in with VIA? This is key to a usable 40%; anything less and it'll be a nightmare to use.

Also to the skeptics: 40% keyboards can be useful in very limited spaces.