SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard &ndash
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Adjustable Actuation Switches – World’s Fastest Mechanical Keyboard – OLED Smart Display – RGB Backli
Dedicated Multimedia Controls
A clickable metal roller and media keys allow you to adjust volume and settings on the fly: change brightness, rewind, skip, pause and more, all at the touch of a button.
USB Passthrough Port and Cable Routing
Avoid crawling behind your desk: insert a flash drive, wireless transmitter, or USB device directly into the keyboard, and choose where the cable exits the keyboard.
Aircraft Grade Aluminium Alloy
The Series 5000 metal frame is manufactured for a * of unbreakable durability and sturdiness.
| OmniPoint Switch | Cherry MX Speed Switch | Standard Mechanical | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Response time – Lower values are faster | 0.7ms | 5.0ms | 6.0ms |
| Response time – Lower values are faster | 0.4mm | 1.2mm | 0mm |
| Durability | 100 Million Keypresses | 50 Million Keypresses | 50 Million Keypresses |
| Weight: | 971 g |
| Dimensions: | 13.97 x 43.69 x 4.06 cm; 970.69 Grams |
| Brand: | SteelSeries |
| Model: | 64626 |
| Colour: | Black |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | SteelSeries |
| Dimensions: | 13.97 x 43.69 x 4.06 cm; 970.69 Grams |
LTT has a review of this keyboard that does not do it justice. It is beautiful, well built, and one of the quietest keyboards I have ever used. The actuation point is adjustable, meaning you don’t have to push the key down all the way. This is what allows for the silence.
While I’m certain there are better keyboards out there, there is a reason this is the Esports keyboard of choice.
Love the board really nice having a an unused one for once, it’s got those fresh keys and it’s really responsive. Not a esports gamer but have forsure noticed a difference while playing; moving “faster” and such. One thing to point out is there are game apps for the board and if you happen to be playing one of the supported games like csgo, you will have to go into the software and change some stuff if you don’t want it to interfere with illumination. Other than that really happy with it and moeny well spent.
I have had this keyboard one day. I will edit this review later on after several months/years of use. I can easily say this is single handedly the best keyboard I’ve ever owned….hands down. The lighting is incredible and bright. The keys are crisp and have that mechanical feel when typing. Even the hand rest is extremely comfortable and attaches and detaches with magnets. I’m quite honestly astonished with this thing. It’s like owning 5 star luxury. It replaced a Razer Cynosa Chroma that I had problems with since I got it.
Will edit later on if my opinion changes over time.
**edit**
It’s been a week and still 5 star luxury!
The keyboard itself is great but being able to set a gif to be constantly playing above the number pad is a joy I did not know I needed until I got this keyboard
It’s incredibly stylish and feels great to type on. However, the keys are very smooth and don’t offer much tactile feedback. This can be good or bad depending on your preference. I prefer a more tactile keyboard, but the build quality of this one made me want to get used to it.
The lights are very customizable as is the OLED panel, and the arm rest is far more comfortable than I expected it to be.
Would recommend.
The adjustable switches are only on the left side of the keyboard, the arrowkeys and numpad aren’t adjustable.
Purchased this to replace an older Razer Ornata keyboard that my wife was using for light office work and occasional gaming. After using my Apex M750 keyboard, she liked the feel of the SteelSeries mechanical key switches over the membrane switches of the Razer. Even out of the box, with no adjusting, the mechanical key switches on this keyboard are amazing, and I like them much more than even those on my own M750. Typing, surfing, gaming, the Apex Pro excels at all of them. That is why I want one. And, no, I won’t ‘trade’ keyboards with my wife. That’s in Chapter 1 of the book on things husbands shouldn’t do. I’ll get my own someday….
Top of the line keyboard. Definitely worth the money. Also on the steel series app, set up your system monitor. It will show you temps which is good.
I have to say, going from an old, non mechanical keyboard to this is a night and day difference. The keyboard is bright, feels incredibly well built, the keys feel and sound nice and the amount of options you have to adjust your keyboard from the software is awesome. Simply adjusting a slider in the software allows your keys to register with more or less of a keystroke, you can play around with multiple different RGB options and multi keys depending on how hard you push in the key.
The rest is incredibly comfortable and I can’t say enough positive things about this. Strongly recommended for someone who wants a mechanical keyboard but doesn’t want to play around with different switches and just wants a good product ready to go.
Alguns bugs no software mais o teclado/ o produto vendido aqui muito bom
So far this is the best mechanical keyboard I’ve have the pleasure of using. Coming from using the EVGA Z20, the keys on this one aren’t as hard to press and the ability to adjust the sensor depth is epic. For someone who’s a speed typer like myself being able to change that so I can go from a low setting to speed type an email to a higher setting for gaming is fantastic.
Only thing I really miss about the EVGA Z20 is the extra customizable keys that I had profiles set for different games either as an auto clicker or hotswap for changing weapons etc etc. But I can live without it. Only been using this for roughly a month, but so far so good. I’ll update is anything transpires later.
Seem to register all my key press. Quiet too; similar to mx brown keys. I would prefer keys with more tactile feedback, but, this keyboard is great despite. Palm-rest is magnetically attached.
This is the best keyboard I’ve owned to date. It’s a joy to type on and also great to game on. The customization options in terms of the action point on the keys is not only great for gaming but it also allowed me to fine tune the keys to make my typing experience as comfortable as possible as well. The backlighting is fully customizable per key using the software. The body of the keyboard is aluminum and is very sturdy. Even the base on the palm rest which comes with it is made of aluminum as well and attaches to the keyboard with magnets so it’s easily removable. The overall build quality of this keyboard is great and I plan to buy another one in the future if this one ever wears out.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a high-end, feature-packed gaming keyboard that offers an outstanding user experience. I have been using this keyboard for the past few weeks, and it has significantly improved my gaming performance and typing comfort. In this detailed review, I will discuss the key features, build quality, customization options, and potential drawbacks of the Apex Pro TKL.
Build Quality and Design:
The Apex Pro TKL is a tenkeyless keyboard, which means it lacks a dedicated numeric keypad. This compact design saves desk space and allows for a more ergonomic setup. The keyboard features a sleek, matte black aluminum frame that feels premium and robust. Its build quality is exceptional, with minimal flex and a sturdy, durable feel.
Switches and Keycaps:
The keyboard comes equipped with SteelSeries’ proprietary OmniPoint Adjustable Mechanical Switches. These switches are the standout feature of the Apex Pro TKL, as they allow you to customize the actuation point for each key individually, ranging from 0.4mm to 3.6mm. This level of customization is unparalleled in the market and provides a tailored typing experience for gaming and productivity.
The keycaps are made of high-quality ABS plastic and have a smooth, slightly textured finish. They feel comfortable to type on, but they may develop shine over time. It would have been nice to see PBT keycaps at this price point, but the ABS keycaps are still satisfactory.
RGB Lighting and Customization:
The Apex Pro TKL features per-key RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the color and effects for each individual key. The illumination is bright and vibrant, with smooth transitions between colors. Using the SteelSeries Engine software, you can create custom profiles, adjust the lighting effects, and modify the actuation points for each key. The software is user-friendly and offers a wealth of customization options.
Additional Features:
The keyboard has a convenient OLED smart display on the top right corner, which can display useful information such as in-game stats, system information, and Discord notifications. The display is customizable and adds a unique touch to the overall design. The Apex Pro TKL also includes a USB passthrough, a detachable magnetic wrist rest, and dedicated multimedia controls for added convenience.
Drawbacks:
There are only a few minor drawbacks to the Apex Pro TKL. First, the price point may be a barrier for some users, as it is on the higher end of the market. Second, the ABS keycaps may not be as durable as PBT alternatives. Finally, the software requires an internet connection for initial setup, which could be an inconvenience for some users.
Conclusion:
Overall, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is an exceptional choice for gamers and typists who seek a high-quality, customizable keyboard. Its adjustable OmniPoint switches, vibrant RGB lighting, and additional features like the OLED display set it apart from the competition. While it may be a bit pricey, the Apex Pro TKL is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment for those who demand the best performance and customization options.
I am very satisfied with my purchase of the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard! This keyboard is a real find for gamers and anyone who types a lot. It is very comfortable and pleasant to the touch, with soft and smooth key strokes.
I am also very pleased with the ability to adjust key sensitivity using the OmniPoint magnetic sensors.
This allows me to precisely tailor the key presses to my needs, which has noticeably improved my performance in games and when working with text. Overall, I highly recommend this keyboard to all gamers and anyone looking for a quality mechanical keyboard for work.
Important part: You can go to all the other reviews to learn what is so perfect about this keyboard, so I will not explain details. Well, as perfect as this keyboard was, after about 2.5 years, it has magically started dying on me. It’s hard to really pinpoint what is going on but the keyboard is bugging out and having inputs go into my pc randomly. Even though I have made it go away for a bit by spamming the keys which I thought were the ones being inputted, my keyboard is just not okay to use anymore. I’m bummed because I came to check this order which I made 2.5 years ago and I find that the customer support window for my order has closed 7 months ago.
At this point I know they have the new gens out so I don’t think people need to be looking at this version anymore, I’m just writing this review out of how bummed I am about my keyboard. Deep down inside I wish SteelSeries could reach out to me with a replacement.
when i bought my last keyboared ( red dragon) one of the keys didnt work. So if i buy this keybaord, are the keys guarenteed to work
(Teclado: Apex pro TKL) | Llevo actualmente unas semanas con el teclado usndolo al mximo, y estoy bastante satisfecho con l; esta resea se separa en varias secciones, as que puedes ir a lo que te interese.
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0-| GENERAL |-0 (9.5 / 10 puntos)
El teclado es el ms cmodo que he probado, he probado varios teclados de marcas como HyperX y Corsair (Marcas de prestigio en perifricos Gamer) y ninguno me ha gustado tanto como este. Vale la pena completamente el precio y es algo que sin duda no te arrepentirs de comprarlo.
Este teclado va especialmente dirigido para Gamers (Competitivos), ya que es uno de los teclados ms rpidos del mercado, pero tambin si lo utilizas para la vida diaria te dar la misma experiencia y te sentirs satisfecho con tu compra.
El teclado esta en INGLES, me refiero a que los smbolos de las teclas no estn distribuidas como uno en espaol y por ende no tendr (). Aunque puedes cambiar el lenguaje en configuracin de tu sistema operativo al Espaol. En mi caso no tengo problema ya que estoy acostumbrado a la distribucin en Ingles, pero si eres alguien que no le gusta la distribucin en ingles se te podra complicar un poco.
El teclado tiene una iluminacin casi perfecta, no es muy intensa al punto de molestar, ni muy baja al punto de no ver nada, digo casi perfecta porque no es la mejor que he visto, en lo personal me gusta ms la iluminacin de los teclados Logitech (Otra marca de prestigio en perifricos Gamer), me gusta ms a la vista y la veo ms limpia por as decirlo. Pero la iluminacin de este teclado es excelente tambin.
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0-| SWITCHES |-0 (9 / 10 puntos)
Los tipos de switches de este teclado son 2, ya que no tiene en todas las teclas el mismo switch (Keycaps comodas). La parte principal (60%) tiene los switches OmniPoint de Steelseries:
Tiempo de respuesta: 0.7 ms
Punto de Actuacin: 0,4 mm
Tiene como tiempo de respuesta y como punto de actuacin una barbaridad, son los ms rpidos del mercado o est en el top 3 ms rpidos del mercado.
Las dems teclas que se conforman de (Esc, F1..F2F12, M1..M2M6, y las flechas) contienen un Switch Red, ya que me imagino que le dieron prioridad a las teclas importantes al momento de jugar.
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0-| Cables y Accesorios |-0 (10 / 10 puntos)
Este teclado se alimenta de un solo cable pero tiene otro cable (En total 2) que alimenta un puerto USB Tipo A para conectar cualquier cosa con conexin USB Tipo A, que se encuentra en la parte superior del cable de alimentacin del teclado. Honestamente lo veo un poco innecesario pero es para hacernos la vida ms agradable (personalmente no lo uso, pero que sin duda te podra servir).
El cable no es removible, por lo que no podrs removerlo del teclado de ninguna forma, nicamente podrs conectar los dos Cables USB para alimentar El teclado y el puerto USB del mismo. Los USB tienen una imagen de un teclado y de un logo USB para identificar que cable es para cada uno. Este teclado tambin tiene en la parte de abajo unas lneas con profundidad para pasar el cable por debajo y que salga por la parte izquierda, central o derecha.
Este teclado contiene un reposamuecas muy cmodo (No soy mucho de usar reposamuecas pero este teclado me hizo cambiar de opinin) No tiene acolchado de ningn tipo como otros teclados, tiene una base bastante buena con soportes para no rayar la superficie, en la parte trasera hay dos imanes que se unen directamente a la base del teclado, lo cual lo hace muy sencillo de quitar como de poner y en la parte superior tenemos una textura suave-dura con un tono mate oscuro.
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0-| Pantalla OLED |-0 (10 / 10 puntos)
La pantalla OLED es muy buena, funciona para casi todas las funciones del teclado por no decir todas. Tiene una pantalla con el Logo de la Marca, una rueda para moverte entre apartados y tambin la puedes presionar para seleccionar opciones, y un botn en la parte de abajo que dejndolo presionado te dejara entrar a las opciones del teclado.
Tenemos los apartados de Iluminacin, Macros, Actuacin de los Switches, Perfiles y Configuracin. Todos estos tienes apartados dentro para configurar varias cosas si no puedes configurarlo desde el software. (Honestamente no la uso mucho, pero te podra servir perfectamente si eres mucho de cambiar de iluminacin y sensibilidad con regularidad).
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0-| Software |-0 (10/ 10 puntos)
El software es muy bueno, tiene todo lo necesario que necesitamos para configurar este teclado y se instala de un forma muy sencilla descargando el software de SteelSeries, podemos cambiar los colores, las teclas, el accionamiento y la pantalla OLED y configuracin de Regin.
Lo ms llamativo de este software es el cambio del logo de la Pantalla OLED, porque como sabemos en la pantalla podemos hacer casi todas las cosas del software, pero para cambiar el logo tenemos que ir al software, donde podemos poner una imagen en tamao (128px 40px) y nicamente blanco y negro, tambin puedes poner como animaciones (Solo 10 seg.), o dibujarlas t mismo desde el software.
(Personalmente como con la pantalla OLED, casi no lo uso, despus de cambiar el logo ya no hay mucha necesidad de entrar al software a menos que quieras cambiar algo).
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0-| Precio y Envi |-0 (9 / 10 puntos)
Personalmente siento que el precio es muy alto, lo compre por ms de 150 dlares, pero como dije antes vale completamente la pena, es un lujo antes que algo necesario hay que ser honestos (a menos que seas un jugador competitivo). Mi teclado fue vendido por Amazon Estados Unidos y Enviado por los mismos, que es lo que recomiendo siempre, asegurarse de que sea Amazon el que lo envi y venda si es tu primera compra por fuera.
Recomiendo completamente tener Amazon Prime antes de la compra, porque es posible de que las tarifas de importacin estn incluidas.
El pedido fue a Mxico y llegara un mircoles. Entonces tena que pasar por aduanas, no tendras que preocuparte por nada, puedes ir a seguimiento de tu pedido y tener las ltimas ubicaciones del mismo. Puede pasar que cuando este el pedido en aduanas te salga un mensaje que diga “Demorado en aduanas” y no se actualice en unas horas, tal vez das, en mi caso fue un da y despus se volvi a actualizar al llegar al estado donde lo ped. En muchos casos he visto usualmente que llega un da antes de lo esperado, lo que me paso tambin, el paquete llegando un da antes (martes).
Llego bastante bien con uno que otro golpe en caja, pero nada descompuesto o algo fuera de lo normal.
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Esta fue mi experiencia con el teclado con especificaciones, espero te sirva esta informacin, es un teclado que sin duda lo vale y es de los mejores en el mercado.
Por cualquier cosa actualizare la informacin con el paso del tiempo si sucede algo. Gracias por leer 😀
Switches: These are very advanced switches if you’re looking for something simple or tactile these aren’t for you these have a nice feature I play with a lot witch is the actuation you can constantly change it to whatever suits your use case typing a lot? Turn it up to make sure you don’t miss click anything. Gaming? Maybe turn it down to around 4 for more faster reaction time or possibly turn it up for more accurate movement? All personal preference but I love the ability to change it but if you’re a settings person like me you may drive yourself crazy trying to find any excuse why you can’t play correctly and spend more time messing with this option.
Key caps: the original key caps work well had no issues on my full size with them used the for a long time with not a problem. However on my new keyboard this one the TKL I decided to opt for the Pudding Keycaps I noticed the ones listed for this steel series was going for around 30$ for the set and read a review just as this one that stated the hyper x caps were exactly the same with a hyper x space bar that costed almost half of that so I opted for the hyper x pudding caps and they work perfect no issues or complaints but they really don’t do much other than appearance wise they look really clean with RGBs on.
OLED Screen: I really don’t even look at it I set a custom image on it and other than that it’s just there for eye candy
Volume Scroll Wheel: I will have to say it kinda sucks on my full size it got dust and whatever else trapped between it and the sensor / switch and caused it to completely work backwards turning it down turned it up and turning it up made it turn down very annoying but found online it said to blow between the scroll wheel like we used to do with game cartridges to clean them out and it started working correctly again but this is not a solution so far on my TKL I have not had this problem but it hasn’t been very long I expect it to happen for sure other than that when it works correctly it’s very nice and feels very good.
Quality: Very good keyboard built sturdy and does not feel cheap it’s not all metal it says there is some but it all does look like plastic but it does feel very solid compared to other cheaper keyboards I’ve used.
Value: Now here’s where it gets tricky I bought this purely based off wanting something I was comfortable with but I am aware there’s a lot of other options most likely even cheaper with just as good quality but I will say this much this one is packed full of options you most likely won’t find on others. So if you like complex and lots of features and options/settings this is the one for you if you don’t then why are you even looking at this product?
I’ve played FPS games for years now so I tend to notice and look for if a new tech product gives me an advantage in my gameplay. Besides that I’m also a full-time engineering student so I find myself typing reports frequently. The switches in this are linear so they don’t have a tactile click or bump but instead a smooth keystroke. This is perfect for fps shooters as it allows for faster and better feeling key presses.
I tested this keyboard in all my favorite shooter games, the main one I play is Apex Legends. While games like Valorant are more Aim heavy, Apex is a movement heavy game so you are using your keyboard more than your mouse at times. The lowest Actuation setting which is 1 (0.4mm) is very nice for those quick movements, pulling up your Heals/shield wheel and throwable wheel on Apex Legends.
The OLED screen is a really cool feature and actually allows you to change settings without the Steelseries Engine application. Settings like Brightness, actuation, macros. Plus you can have custom messages as the main screen on the display. I’ve seen that it even connects to some games and displays your Kills/Deaths/Assists for games like CS:GO.
In terms of my reports, Actuation setting 1 might be too responsive to some. For me perosnally I up this to 5 so I don’t tend to mistype as much and it really does help. The Overall build is really good. I do wish steelseries used Braided cables but it’s not a huge deal breaker for me. I’ve got to say, Steelseries made a Keyboard to suit my school and gaming needs.
Not only that but it’s an attractive keyboard and I always get complements and asked what keyboard I have every time someone sees my setup. I did also replace the standard key caps with White ones from HK Gaming.
So is it worth getting the Apex Pro? personally, Yes.
The price is a bit high for people and i agree it is. But what you get compared to other keyboards such as the adjustable actuation points, the OLED screen, and volume dial make it my top pick in keyboards.
Steelseries have done a great job making a very attractive and nice looking keyboard. I already own a full-size Apex Pro but I needed a second one for a second setup. When it came to buying a second keyboard I was looking at every option available.
I usually tend to want to get something new or different but I couldn’t seem to find a keyboard that looked or sounded better than the Apex Pro personally. The overall keyboard is just so good and so fun to use and I’m sure if you are on the edge of buying it or fear of not liking it, give it time and you’ll appreciate this keyboard a lot.
This isn’t a keyboard that you have to get used to but a keyboard that grows on you. I hope this helps!
imo produto, resistente, teclas confortveis e macias, porm, o ponto fraco o software que extremamente bugado e no salva muitas vezes a configurao do teclado, minha recomendao alterar e fechar o software, no deixa-lo iniciar com o windows e apenas abri-lo quando necessrio. O teclado apresenta erros com teclas piscando, bom dar uma lida na internet de como lidar com eles, tive problemas com o software (teclas piscam azul) e com o hardware (teclas piscam vermelho) e solucionei facilmente, o suporte da Steelseries j inexistente l fora, aqui no Brasil ento, desiste.
Primero empecemos por sus SWITCHES OMNIPOINT tienen una increble respuesta casi inmediata de 0.7 ms con una actuacin de 0.4 mm de hecho si no te acomodas tiene su software tanto en el teclado como en la computadora solo que el de la computadora tendrs que descargarlo en su pgina que te permitir poder cambiar su respuesta ya que este teclado si necesitas escribir y sientes que es muy rpido o muy sensible podrs cambiar su respuesta para hacerlo ms cmodo y aparte promete ser ms duradero ya que soportar 100 millones de pulsaciones otro punto es que tiene su pantalla oled que te permitir cambiar su sensibilidad de las teclas podrs ver su respuesta con una barra de sensibilidad, cambiar perfiles predeterminados de su iluminacion que puedes personalizar efectos dobles que se ilumine de un solo color combinar colores incluso si tienes su software en la computadora podrs cambiar tecla por tecla efectos independientes y crear tu propia mezcla
Tambin tiene includo el macros y perfiles preterminafos para sensibilidad y personalizacin de tus combinaciones de rgb y adems cambiar el logo de Steelseries que est en la pantalla oled podrs personalizar con animaciones o imgenes pero debes de ajustar su tamao si no no se podr visualizar en la pantalla, solo que al momento de conectar a la computadora su coneccin son de dos cables en uno pero el teclado tiene una coneccin extra de USB para poder conectar algo ms.
Switches: The switches on this keyboard are buttery smooth and require no need to lubricate them because they feel like they already are. This keyboard has EXTREMELY fast switches and is great for gaming and especially any FPS games. The letters and numbers at the top of the keyboard are a switch that no other keyboard has, which is Omni Point adjustable Mechanical Switches. They are a white in color and can be adjusted by the OLED display menu at the top right of the keyboard or in the SteelSeries software.
OLED Display: The OLED display is a little screen at the top right corner of the keyboard which has some cool little functions that you can use to adjust the keyboard without having to open up the software. It gives you options to adjust things like the actuation which is the point at which the key registers so you can change how far you have to push the key down before it registers. You also have options to change the brightness of the rgb and you also have some of the basic options for the different rgb settings.
RGB Lighting: It has very customizable rgb settings in the software. You can change anywhere from one key to the whole keyboard with different effects. Some of the basic settings are colorshift, single color, gradient, and the breath effect. Anything that you would want to change as far as rgb, you can do.
Feel and Durability: The way this keyboard feels is like no other and has a nice and strong feel while it’s not too heavy or too light. The durability is very good on this keyboard and I have had it for over a year and it feels the exact same as when I first bought it.
Overall Review: This keyboard is a little pricey for some but you get what you pay for and in my opinion this keyboard is best of the best from the performance of the keyboard and the way it feels, to the variation of rgb lighting and with the OLED display like no other keyboard has is very convenient and is also customizable.
Although I am not sure whether my son thinks it makes him better at gaming, you can’t knock the build quality of this product. It’s got great setup modifications you can make, especially having mechanical buttons. If you have a gamer, they will want one of these!
Good Switches for typing and also for Gaming Does everything that Is needed also fun profiles that can be adjusted without needed software updates but software updates make this keyboard even better with the fact that every key that’s needed can be individually customized.
still getting used to low actuation point but the keyboard feels, sounds, and looks really nice. best kb of all time
Amazing tech. While having no tactile indication when the keys actuate due to complete linear feel until the keys bottom out, the level at which they can activate is adjustable (and awesome) through software or the keyboards OLED screen. It takes getting used to, but not a long time. They are feather light, so anyone who types A LOT will like that, and your fingertips will too. Key caps are decent, not too thick or thin. I have a compressed median nerve that causes pain all day sometimes in index, middle finger, half of ring finger and thumb. Anyone with carpel-tunnel will relate. This keyboard let’s me enjoy typing and even gaming without even thinking about my hand! Except to think about how I’m not thinking about it.. While other keyboards may do that, Im still happy with this one. It’s hard to tell, but typing sound is unique, and satisfying. All based on the materials and key cap shape/thickness. The frame is solid, no flex when applying pressure (sturdy). Like you know you bought something worth something.
Lights are very bright. I keep RGB on lowest setting most of the time. But I also got the pudding key caps to mix n match with the stanfard ones.
Software is better than G Hub (Logitech). Wait, that’s not saying much. I love Logitech mouses! But it still leaves something to be desired (an update maybe). Have to edit this, it’s still the best software I’ve used.
The wrist rest that comes with is impressively comfortable, considering it’s not some squishy or beanbag style one.
The weak point is preference.. if you like to customize, the switches are soldered to PCB, the LEDs can get on the way of custom key caps (any off brand like hyper x) and cause sticking or just not fit. Any cleaning upkeep will be limited to an aircan and some rubbing alcohol. If you’re looking for something with that flexibility, then try for a Drop ALT or DROP CTRL (entry level 60% keyboard type stuff) that won’t break the bank. If you’ve never experienced other keyboard switches and how they feel, check out a best buy or any place with keyboards on display, get an idea of what you may want before pulling the trigger. If you cant get to a place like that, there’s videos on YouTube that offer great reviews (some more bias than others). I almost went with the Razor brand myself, but I’m totally more than happy with this purchase. And in keeping with the silly tradition of matchmaking, I needed a keyboard that matched my $10 steelseries cloth mousepad. (Seriously, Logitech still makes the best mouses, double clicks n all).
If this keyboard stands the test of time (like maybe 8 months or something) I’ll give it 5 stars. Boom, done! Reviews are sometimes fun. Shoulda done it on my Apex pro TKL instead of dumbphone, ugh.
Not English(UK) layout as hoped, no matter keys are configurable in Windows etc. Step-son will be happy for this as a birthday present I am sure! E-sports and Fortnite await . . .
Bought for a friend . There son loves it , the lights on the keyboard are lovely and not in your face . Very good buy.
Best competitive keyboard on the market, the adjustable actuation switches give a real competitive advantage in games like fortnite and warzone 🙂
Liability statement: If you try to clean a keyboard this way, it is at your own risk. Don’t blame me if something doesn’t work.
So, I decided to take this apart and literally wash it. I was impressed with how sturdy the keyboard is. They have tons of screws that create a strong attachment from the circuit board to the casing. The USB/power cable is anchored really well inside the case. The casing was also very solidly screwed together. There are good protectors keeping the cable from shorting the main board and also good guides for the smaller wires. Some engineers put some time into the design of this and did a good job imho.
Taking off all the keycaps was easy. But I found the switches couldn’t be removed without dealing with desoldering, etc. which I’ve never tried before. So they stayed in. After I got the main circuit board removed, I literally washed it – twice. I could see areas where the chocolate milk was dried on the board and it was a bit goopy. I put the board in a large sink with a bit of dishwasher soap and some vinegar and shook it around. There were some areas the milk needed to be scrubbed off with a gentle brush. It was a testament to being a good product since none of the board solders came loose or seemed impacted by the scrubbing. Then I rinsed it well under cold water. I did this twice. I also did this with the top portion of the case which included the led display in the upper right corner. Then I let both dry outside in the heat but not in direct sun for 2 days. I hand scrubbed the bottom part of the case since it had tape that was working as vents or something I didn’t want to ruin.
I put it back together with very low hopes. Son of a …. if the thing didn’t work perfectly. Even the LED screen worked and had retained the memory with my kid’s macros and custom mini led screen drawing.
So, this review doesn’t address all the advertised features. There are many video reviews that can tell you more. My kid thinks it is great and leaves the thing on all night so he can see the leds flashing. His macros work well. The keycaps washed off well. The switches literally were soaked goopy liquid that dried and then in water and worked just fine after proper drying. My kid got pissed off once and banged the space bar hard enough to break it in two but even that didn’t hurt the switch or the risers. (Some superglue fixed the space keycap).
I’m not an expert in keyboards like this but I can say this thing is a beast, solidly built. For us, this was a great choice. I hope this helps you make a decision on your keyboard. Good luck.
I’ll preface this review with my biases for it. I got the keyboard because I’m shifting my computer time into digital art and the keyboard has to play nice with the Wacom tablet I have. So the keyboard needs to be on the same level as the tablet.
This keyboard is replacing a huge Logitech G-910 that has takes up a lot more desk area than this one. The lack of dedicated Macro buttons might be a problem for some people, but honestly, I went from a Logitech G11 (with 18 macro keys) to the G910 and didn’t miss the lack of dedicated macro buttons. I doubt I will miss the lack of Macro buttons on this keyboard. Also, the software for the SteelSeries does allow you to map any key to any function or macro. So the Ins->PgDn keys could easily serve as macro keys. Another thing to note is that most online games that I’ve played ban macros as cheating so they really aren’t that necessary.
Another feature of this keyboard I really like is that the palm rest is magnetic. It almost seems like this was designed for my use case. When I’m drawing with my Wacom I just remove the palm rest to make the keyboard nice and compact, and when I’m done with drawing for a while I just put it back.
While most of the media keys (stop/play, forward, Reverse) are gone the volume wheel is still there. This is probably the one feature on the G-910 that I would absolutely miss if I didn’t have it on this keyboard. It is smaller though, and it’s not a free-running wheel so I think I prefer the one on my old keyboard better.
The keys are raised above the bezel so they’re easy to pull out if you’re careful. This will make cleaning the keyboard easier. And with the software being able to map anything to anything you’d be able to switch the keyboard to Dvorak if that’s your thing.
Now for the things that drop the keyboard from a 5 to a 4 star.
There is no light on the keyboard to tell you that the CAPs Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock are turned on. This can be a problem when you’re putting in passwords. I haven’t found it in the software, but there might be a way to set the illumination on those keys to be different depending on the state it’s in.
The keys also seem to be fairly loud to me. It might just be that I started typing on a manual typewriter and I’m more used to pounding on keys a bit more than other people are, but I’m nowhere as heavy on the keyboard as some I’ve heard. When I’m typing on this keyboard it seems awfully loud to my ears.
I might update this review in the next few months if the keyboard fails for any reason. I just hope it doesn’t have the same illumination issue that plagued my G910.
PROS:
– The typing experience is very very smooth and nice. The hall effect switches are, frankly, quite awesome, very very smooth, and was the primary reason for my purchase of this keyboard. I’m very impressed with how they feel and the response of the keys. Did I mention how smooth they are? They feel amazing.
– The RGB is bright and beautiful, and the colors transition very smoothly without any noticeable flicker. The raised keys allow the surrounding desk area to be illuminated by the RGB light as well, and I really like this effect compared to having the RGB switches recessed into the body of a keyboard (like my previous Logitech G910)
– Another benefit to having the keys raised above the body of the keyboard is its ease of cleaning. It’s astonishing how fast dust and loose debris gets into under the keys. Having a simple and cheap keyboard cleaning brush (such as the set I bought here: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07Q79LMRK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) allows me to keep the vast majority of it clean, easily being able to brush some of the debris out the side of the keyboard. Every once in a while I’ll remove the keys and get the rest of the dust and junk that I can’t easily get with the brush.
– Steelseries Engine software is.. OK. I’m familiar with SSE from having other SS products, and when it comes to peripheral software, let’s face it: they all have issues, and SSE isn’t without it’s own. Having said that, it’s been working very well with this keyboard. The interface is pretty straight forward, not confusing like Logitech’s latest software. The RGB options are quite impressive, better than I was expecting. I do wish SSE would be updated, as the software just feels SLOW. But it does the job with a little patience. I do like that I can bind
CONS:
– My main gripe, is that there are no dedicated media controls here. The button to the right of the OLED display works as a multi-button for media (1-click: Play/Pause; 2-clicks: Next Track; 3-clicks: Restart; 3-again: Previous track; 4-clicks: Stop playback), and while the button itself is nice and clicky. I, personally, prefer dedicated buttons for each function. But that’s a subjective opinion.
– A concern I did have, and something I solved with a couple pieces of scotch tape, is that under the Space bar, there is a wide open gap in the keyboard’s body. You can see the electronic contacts and PCB through this opening, and it’s at the lowest part of the keyboard (i.e. dust will get in there via simple gravity over time if it’s not cleaned.. I covered this up with some tape so that dust and debris cannot enter the keyboard itself and come into contact with the electronics inside, and I recommend you do it too right away! Remove the Space bar, cover the holes with some tape, re-seat the Space bar.
Obviously the Model M is bigger overall, but my big realization is that the actual key layout on the Model M is slightly wider. It’s not just a difference in the “dead space” in between keyboard sections, either – there is actually slightly less space between each key on the Steelseries keyboard. I’ve compared all the keyboards I’ve owned against the Model M and while some have had minor layout variations and most these days have the function keys much closer to the main keys, this is the first time I’ve seen keys that were actually closer together. I’m sure it’s not the only keyboard like that, but it’s the only one I’ve owned that is and it explains my typing inaccuracy on it. I’ve taken a star off my original review for that reason. It is just not a full size keyboard, even though it looks like it is. It feels cramped, and I’ve never gotten fully adjusted to it.
My original review is below:
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For the price, it had better be good. And it is. My score is 5 stars but consider it more like 4 1/2 rounded up. A bit closer to 5 than 4; not perfect but nearly so. I’ll explain.
I’m both a typist and a gamer, but these days probably more of the former than the latter. Still, I try to find keyboards good for both purposes, and many are – heck, the old IBM Model M is still a great gaming keyboard if you don’t need n-key rollover (and to be honest, most people really don’t). But my old Motospeed keyboard, which I loved for its feel and its small footprint (as small as it gets for a full size keyboard) seemed to just wear out – it started repeating keypresses constantly, so I decided I’d just go for something new rather than try to fix it. (But I probably will fix it at some point; it’s a great keyboard too.)
This is the first linear keyboard I’ve owned in many years. I usually prefer clicky keyboards and have since the days of the original IBM PC and the Model F. But I just wanted something different after owning clicky keyboards for so long, and my Motospeed was *really* clicky to the point that it did become a little grating after a few years. I’d read about the wonders of the OmniPoint keyswitches in the Apex Pro and I watched the excellent Chyrosran22 review of it on YouTube (search for that; he knows keyboards and he loves this one). I did also manage to try one out for a brief few minutes, though not long enough to really form my own opinion. But in the absence of any more obvious choice, I took the plunge and bought one.
Bottom line: It is a really well built keyboard (almost zero flex) that feels *almost* as good to type on as any linear keyboard I’ve ever used in about 40 years of computing. It has double-shot keycaps so the legends won’t wear out, it’s got a really useful volume roller, and it’s got a little screen that can be used for various things, most of which are kinda dumb but I do use it for displaying current system stats – there is an app to display CPU, GPU and RAM usage. Its backlighting is pretty bright, fully RGB and has some effects that are actually kinda useful – I’m not sure what the effect I use is called, but it just lights the key you press up in white for a half-second or so before smoothly fading it back to whatever color the rest of the keyboard is backlit in. It’s actually helpful to have a little split-second feedback showing which key you just typed, just in case you make a mistake.
The OnmiPoint keyswitches do feel great – very smooth – and they’re user-adjustable in terms of the actuation point. This is unique to this type of keyswitch, which is an uncommon magnetic sensor type of mechanical switch. I will say that I *feel* more accurate on this keyboard than my old Motospeed – I think the design and spacing of the keycaps on this keyboard is maybe a little more standard.
So, that’s that – now I’m going to tell you about the *little* things that keep it from being perfect. Keep in mind that absolutely none of these are dealbreakers, or things other people might even necessarily think of as drawbacks. But…
The cord is non-detachable and it’s quite stiff. It’s also just rubber insulated, which is fine, but kinda ugly on such an expensive keyboard. The keyboard has two USB plugs, one for the USB port on the keyboard itself (it won’t act as a hub, just a pass-through), and that USB plug is on the left side of the keyboard. That means if you want the keyboard cable on the right, which the cable management on the back of the keyboard lets you do, your mouse cable will still be on the left. I feel like this is an odd design given that most people are right-handed. A choice would be best, but if you’re going to pick a place for one USB port, put it on the right.
Only the “main” keys are OmniPoint – that’s everything in the little “typewriter” cluster, that main rectangle of letters and numbers that you type the most on. The others are either Cherry MX Red or some kind of copy of them. To be honest, I’m not sure which switch I prefer! I know which I’m “supposed” to prefer but the regular Reds on the rest of the keyboard seem to have a very slightly lighter weighting. Probably my only semi-serious complaint about the keyboard in general – and this is 100% subjective, so it’s not a top-line item for this review – is that the OmniPoint switches are just a *tiny* bit heavier than I like, and probably as a consequence of that feel very, very slightly “mushy” as you reach full travel. The switches on the rest of the board, while very slightly “grittier”, are also a tiny bit lighter and do not feel mushy. All that said, I will allow that someone else could feel entirely the opposite. This is personal preference, and anyway it’s not a big difference. But there *is* a difference in the switches on different parts of the board, and it does sometimes feel a little odd as a result.
After only several *days* of use, the soft-touch finish is already wearing off several of the keys. Now, you can see by this review that I type a *lot*. So it may take longer for you, and anyway the legends themselves will never wear off since they’re doubleshot. But my space bar is already looking a little ugly with one part of it already noticeably shiny. I never understand this – my Model F and Model M that are 30+ years old still look brand new, while a keyboard that’s only days old (and cost a couple hundred bucks) already has a finish that’s wearing off.
Overall, though, I think I’ll be happy with this keyboard until I get tired of linear keys and want to go back to clicky. But who knows when or if that’ll happen. At the moment, I’m pleased with my purchase, even for the money. This thing does feel like an expensive keyboard.
Pros
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* Typing feel is great. Similar to Cherry red.
* Subjectively satisfying typing sound from bottoming out keys.
* Adjustable actuation is a fantastic feature and helps working from home without swapping from a gaming keyboard.
* Backlight looks fantastic
* Software actually isn’t all that bad. It gets the job done. Automatic profile switching has thus far been reliable.
* Keyboard profile is small enough to not get in the way, unlike some competitors with extended frames and fluff.
* Wrist rest is well made, ,magnetic attachment is convenient.
* OLED screen controls double as limited media controls.
* Not overly heavy.
* Raised / exposed cap design makes it easier to clean.
* Subjectively, it’s just a very good looking product.
Cons
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* Stock key caps are sub-par for a $200 product. Should have had PBT.
* The proprietary switches don’t always behave with third-party caps. I swapped out the caps for HyperX Pudding PBT caps and had to put O rings on my space bar and both shift keys to prevent them from getting stuck in a depressed position.
* The OLED screen is next to useless, unless you don’t want to use software profiles. It has some gimmick features, but I would have preferred to ditch it for dedicated lock LEDs or media keys.
* No dedicated lock LEDs. Num, scroll, and caps lock are conveyed via the key switch LED, which can throw off your designs and the overall look of the board.
* The scroll wheel and button for the OLED screen are very low quality. They feel stiff and are generally unsatisfying to use. The scroll wheel seems to hang up on some parts of the rotation and move more smoothly on others.
* The keyboard feet are low quality and cheap, although 90% of people should not be using them, anyway. Using feet on keyboards forces you to bend your wrists, causing further strain, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why so many people do this. Keyboard feet exist to allow you to see the keys better, which is something someone in the market for a $200 keyboard probably shouldn’t have trouble with. Off topic…
* The angle of the board is rather extreme while using the feet, so this problem is made worse.
* The wrist rest, while well made, is also not very ergonomic. The angle at which it sits is necessitated by the very low profile it offers. A proper wrist rest should be flat and flush to the board and sit higher. It is also not long enough to accommodate my hands, but may be a better fit for someone with small hands. It is being relegated to a drawer and replaced with a soft, large rest.
* The wrist rest has a soft texture but is still rather hard. This has pros and cons and is often a preference point, but it’s usually a bad thing when the rest is poorly angled and fit to your hands, as you’re dealing with added pressure and poor ergonomics.
Coming from Cherry MX Browns, I had some reservations about OmniPoint. The Browns have a tactile point which I liked. I had tried MX Reds, and wasn’t a fan of the linear feel. With these Omni switches being linear, I was unsure but somehow compelled to pass on the Apex 7 with MX Browns and go Pro. TBH, I was half expecting to return it. Needless to say…. I was surprised when I hooked this up!
First off… dat switch. Wow. SUPER smooth. The inherent scratchiness of linear MX switches is GONE. It feels like the keycaps are just sort of floating over the brushed aluminum base. The adjustment ability is unique compared to most mechanical boards, bringing a true Hall Effect switch to people. (Look up Hall Effect… gets a little complex for explanation here, but very cool) Actuation can be adjusted from a light brush on the keys (probably overkill) to making the switch bottom out completely. This can also be done on a per key basis. Lot of range to play with!
Another key strength… the RGB lighting. Its nothing short of fantastic. The raised caps let the bright and vibrant lighting spill over the board itself, creating a very cool and clean lighting effect. Even for those who don’t much care about RGB lighting, it’s very tastefully done here.
Typing is unreal. I spent 15 mins just typing random weirdness on a word doc just for them feels when I first hooked it up. And for some reason, I find myself with a lot less errors compared to old board with the Browns. I’d commonly get keypress duplication (as if I held the key down) with that switch, and with these Omni switches, it doesn’t happen anymore. Of course, these Omni switches are much quieter than the tactile Browns given their linear nature.
Not much bad to say here. Some minor gripes would be somewhat “meh” software from Steelseries and the keycaps being ABS instead of something like double-shot PBT caps. The latter feel much sturdier and more premium, and I suppose one could buy some PBT caps if it was a huge issue. Not sure how that would affect the lighting though. The small B&W OLED screen in the upper right doesn’t add much in reality, but its kind of a geeky fun thing that you can customize with whatever you want. It does have some functionality with brightness and other features, which is nice to have versus having to use the software. Also, only the primary keys have Omni switches. All the F keys, num pad, and extra function keys are on a generic linear switch that feels good enough. Would be nice to have all keys on omni switches, but it makes sense from a cost perspective and isn’t a big deal to me.
All in all, fantastic keyboard that towers over my old Gskill in every respect. I really wish MS terrible updates hadn’t bricked old board, but I guess things happen for a reason. If you have the cash and want a great analog-based mechanical keyboard with adjustable hall effect switches…. this is the one for you. Very hard to fault this board. Steelseries done good here.
Fastest switches in the market. Keyboard has nice sound. The last keyboard I might ever buy.
Very good keyboard
Keys are quiet (linear)
Adjustable actuation makes a difference (TRUST ME)
VERY nice typing experience.
Good for gaming
Macro editor is not that good.
RGB is shiney if you are into that stuff.
If you want a more in-depth explanation head over to amazon.com 🙂