By: Jadon Lee
September 13, 2024
As of late, I have been really interested in the history of speedrunning. This includes the development of different speedrunning techniques and the cheaters. I find it interesting how much work is put into finding loopholes and bugs that can help with speeding up sections of a game or even completely skipping it. Recently, I watched a video about The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and the infamous barrier skip. For those who do not know, this barrier skip would allow the user to skip a sizable part of the game. It was amazing to see how much data was collected and how much testing was done before the community was able to find a reliable method. The several theories developed and evaluated were sort of mesmerizing. Speedrunning is quite the community when it comes to optimization. This is like the keyboard community, as they, too are after their own “endgame” through optimization. Some people will find a solution, whether it is a speed run time or a keyboard, that they are satisfied with and stop there. Meanwhile, others might just keep digging themselves further into the rabbit hole. When you consider even the most beginner speedrunners, they can still play the game, but there is still more potential to improve. This reminds me of the keyboard we have for review today, the Epomaker Shadow-S. The Shadow-S is a TKL gasket mounted keyboard with exciting potential. Will the Shadow-S hold up to my standards? Keep reading to find out!
Our review unit of the Epomaker Shadow-S came alongside the Shadow-X in a tightly wrapped in a DHL-branded plastic that covered many layers of bubble wrap underneath. The box was shipped to us here in Calgary, Alberta from Shenzhen, China via DHL Express. The shipping process was quite good, having no visible impact on the retail box. I was not worried about the condition of the product itself, as there was no noticeable damage.
The Epomaker Shadow-S’s box design is aesthetically pleasing, using a black and white exterior. The front displays Epomaker's logo on the top center, the name of the keyboard on the bottom, and a small list of features. The back has a bigger Epomaker logo alongside a full list of features. The sides of the box offer repeated information from the front. This is a straightforward design that offers very minimal information. Personally, I do not mind this, as I appreciate the lack of clutter and simplicity.
Before we continue, here are the specifications for the Epomaker Shadow-S, as specified by the manufacturer’s website:
Model: Epomaker Shadow-S
Number of Keys: 85 keys + 1 knob
VIA Programmable: Yes
Structure: Gasket-mounted
Stabilizer Type: Plate-mounted
Connectivity: Triple Modes, Bluetooth/2.4Ghz/USB-C Wired
Plate: Flex-cut PC Plate
Screen: 1.14 Inch LCD Screen, Programmable
Battery Capacity: 4000mAh
NKRO: Yes
Polling Rate: 500hz Under Wired and 24Ghz mode; 125hz under Bluetooth Mode
LED: South-facing LED
Cable Length: about 1.8m
Hot Swappable: Yes, Compatible with ⅗ Pin Switch
Inside Box: Keyboard, Manual, Keycap/Switch Puller, 2.4Ghz Dongle, Type C Cable
Out of the box, you will receive the Epomaker Shadow-S keyboard with a cable, 2.4GHz receiver, keycap/switch puller, extra switches, and a user manual. The keyboard is wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent any surface scratches. The quality of the packaging meets my expectations, as there is nothing exceptional, but it completes the job adequately.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
4. Conclusion
