The Epomaker TH40 keyboard’s Layer 1 configuration was once a jumble of RGB controls, punctuation, and connectivity options. While this might have made it the darling of YouTube reviewers flashing its lighting capabilities, it wasn’t exactly practical for everyday tasks. The non-shine-through keycaps suggested that most users might disable RGB lighting altogether, leading to a revamp aimed squarely at boosting productivity.
Initially, there was some semblance of sense to the top row, with number keys from Q to P, reminiscent of a 60% layout, so this was left intact. However, the real transformation happened with the introduction of common symbols directly on the home row. This inventive step placed the exclamation mark on Caps Lock, while @, $, %, and ^ found their homes on the A, S, D, and F keys, respectively.
This overhaul allowed users to quickly access these frequently used symbols without the need to stretch awkwardly or navigate the frustrating Fn1 + Shift combo to reach keys above the home row. Now, a quick press of the Fn1 key, conveniently situated between the space bars, brings these symbols to the forefront, streamlining typing and minimizing discomfort.
