By: Ethan Gallagher
Modern keyboards have too many features. Knobs, screens, RGB layers—all noise. Yet most people type on layouts from typewriters. Epomaker’s Hack70 is different. It doesn’t add more. It removes old assumptions.
The official announcement highlights a 65-key ortholinear layout. Keys are straight, no stagger. Split spacebar becomes two programmable inputs. VIA support lets you remap keys, make macros, build workflow layers. The subtext? Ortholinear has been niche. Epomaker wants to change that.
More details lie under the surface. Gasket-mounted structure, pre-lubed switches, hot-swappable sockets, XDA PBT keycaps. Tri-mode connectivity, Windows/macOS support, 3000mAh battery (100 hours no backlight). These features soften the learning curve. It’s not an experiment—it’s a daily driver for productivity users.
If the Hack70 sells well, supply chains will shift. Manufacturers will focus on ergonomic simplicity over flashy extras. RGB won’t be the go-to for productivity keyboards anymore.
Author bio: Ethan Gallagher, Silicon Valley Hardware Architect and Infrastructure Strategist with 15+ years in input device design and supply chain trends.