Page 3 - A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
Opening up the Epomaker RT65 is an easy process. There are no screws to be removed, and you do not need to remove any of the rubber feet. The two plastic pieces that form the enclosure clip together through a series of plastic clips. Starting at one corner, you can pull the pieces apart and then slowly slide down each side with something like a business card to undo the rest of the clips. The joystick does not need to be removed, but one has to be careful, since there is a ribbon cable connecting the top piece to the bottom. The small PCB board along the outer piece is to control the on/off switch and the USB Type-C connections.
The keyboard is not fastened to the enclosure with any screws, but simply rests on a few plastic stands. These stands have gaps to receive the clear gaskets to help with sound reduction. There are three along the bottom below the Windows key, the space bar, and the right Ctrl key, which are easy to spot. There are multiple other layers between the keyboard and the bottom enclosure. These are the PC plate, Poron sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, PE sound enhancement pad, PCB, socket switch pad, and finally, another layer of foam. Many of these different layers are all in an effort to absorb vibrations and change the final sound of the keystrokes. They should reduce rattling noises and provide a satisfying and clean feel throughout when you type.
Lifting up the keyboard, we find the 3000 mAh battery. I had a lackluster experience with the battery life on the Epomaker RT65. With the lights on, I was able to use the keyboard for a week with a total of about 9 hours, which is very short. This includes using the keyboard with the screen. Without the RGB LED lights on, I was able to use the keyboard over a period of two weeks. The battery sits in the final layer of soft foam to help with the sound and vibration absorption. To conserve battery life, the keyboard does go into sleep mode when not in use for some time. If it is within a few minutes, the first keystroke will be registered right away. After a few hours, the keyboard takes a little longer to wake up, as it enters a power off state.
The Epomaker RT65 is equipped with Flamingo switches, which are appropriately colored to pink and purple. The top pink shell is made of polycarbonate, while the bottom white material is nylon. In between, we have a white polyoxymethylene plastic stem, which is also known as POM. Polycarbonate generally is strong and hard, which should keep the switch housing durable to multiple swaps. POM is beneficial to use, as it has a high resistance to abrasion and strength, which should make for smooth travel. The length of the spring should provide stability and linear movement. There is minimal stem movement from side-to-side or forward-and-back, which is good to see. Otherwise, everything inside is factory lubricated to keep movement smooth for longer.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
4. Conclusion
