Epomaker AKKO ACR98 Mechanical Keyboard (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
Whenever another Epomaker keyboard arrives on my doorstep, I begin the cycle of realizing that even though I've dealt with dozens of keyboards, I still haven't even scratched the surface of this niche hobby. The latest keyboard flavor of the day has some fun new differences that set it apart--the question is, what exactly are they?
Traditional keyboards come in three different variations: full-size (104 key), tenkeyless (87 key), or 60% (68 key). Whether or not you like a certain style will usually come down to two factors: whether or not you like the numpad, and whether or not you like F keys. Epomaker's latest keyboard makes a very slight compromise in the way that the ACR98 still rocks a numpad, but a handful of directional keys have been omitted in order to make for a more compact board. It also differentiates itself by rocking an acrylic case, the latest Epomaker trend.
In what world are blue switches tactile, and not clicky? In the realm of AKKO's jelly switches. Interestingly, the switches that come with the ACR98 are entirely dependent on the outer design of the keyboard, despite the keyswitches existing hidden underneath the keycaps. In the case of the pastel blue and white Doll of the Princess design, the switches are jelly blue, and my goodness, do they feel nice. They're tactile, and require a good bit of force to actuate at 40g, giving them a fantastic typing experience. They feel soft on the bounce back, with the tactility beginning very early into the keypress, all the way until it's back in place. Anyone who loves good feedback and smooth bumps. Epomaker tends to pre-lube their switches, too, which means they have a lower "clack" than normal--not a full thocc, but satisfyingly low pitched.
Out of all the Epomaker boards I've tried, this one has the least key wobble I've experienced. I was actually surprised at how sturdy the board is overall, given the fact the case is just four layers of acrylic. The sound profile is pleasant, and there's zero case ping. If for some reason, you'd want to replace the switches, you can, as the ACR98 is hot-swappable.
The slight blue frost of the acrylic board, paired with the icy blue and white keycap color pattern makes for a very pretty keyboard. The RGBs only add to the experience, making it almost look like Aurora Borealis, at this time of year, localized entirely inside your keyboard. As usual, the keycaps are PBT, which makes them all the more lovely. The 98-key layout might throw some, especially if you're a right-shift-key user, since it's slightly shrunken down to fit the size, but it's a fun layout if you enjoy full-size keyboards.
If aesthetics or new typing experiences interest you, then the Epomaker ACR98 should be right up your alley. In terms of fun, bouncy keyboard feel, the jelly blue switches rank high up there, and coupled with the aesthetics of the blue-and-white keycaps and large print font, it all makes for a fantastic keyboard in nearly every aspect.
Verdict
- Good stabilizers and dampening
- The new AKKO switches are delightfully bouncy to type on
- Stylish keycap and board color options
- No adjustable feet, just a weird 3M sticky bar to elevate it
