SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard Review
Category : Keyboards
Published by Slobodan Simic on 13.11.13
At first sight, SteelSeries Apex will capture your attention with its light zones, size and macro keys. Apex features a very unique design, 16.8 million colors to choose, raised macro keys and other features which we will mention later on. It is truly a great piece of equipment for a gamer.
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SteelSeries used rubber-dome switches and justify its decision with the fact that little resistance in combination with flat keys and low profile layout makes Apex one of the fastest gaming keyboards on the market. It is quiet too, so if you prefer sound of a mechanical keyboard, you should consider looking elsewhere.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Photo Gallery
Delivery
Packaging is very well designed, a fair bit larger than other keyboards, but considering that the actual Apex keyboard is 500mm wide and have built in wrist rest we guess that Steelseries simply needed room for it. Inside the box you have the keyboard, a quick start guide, a sticker and the two feet required to raise the height of the keyboard.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Features
- Low profile keys
- 16.8 mill. color illuminated keys at 8 levels
- 5 active zones
- 6 simultaneous key-presses of 20 anti-ghosting capable gaming keys
- 22 macro keys
- 4 macro layers
- Dedicated media keys
- 2 USB ports
- Braided, anti-tangle cord
- W-key with tactile bump
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Closer Look
Keyboard is well designed, although it is quite big for today’s standards. The outer edge of the keyboard has a matte, textured design, while the plastic part around the keys is glossy. The keys themselves have a smooth matte feel to them.
Every part of keyboard is designed with gaming and gamers on mind, even a really big spacebar. Maybe you do not like it, but you cannot miss it, that is for sure.
Something what will gamers really appreciate are 22 macro keys, which, combined with the SteelSeries Engine, can be remapped in four separate layers. You can add a custom illumination to any layer and you can practically create the keyboard for any mood. Great feature is anti-ghosting technology which allows six simultaneous key-presses of 20 anti-ghosting capable gaming keys.
Top row of macro keys are raised for fast and easy use in key combinations.
It is also important to mention slightly raised “W” key with tactile bumps for fast return on “WASD” cluster, additional diagonal buttons on navigational arrow pad and SteelSeries key that is used for brightness level and easy disabling of the Windows key.
For a keyboard this size, there was also enough room for dedicated media keys, useful either if you are a gamer or not.
Back
On top side there are two separate USBs and you have a cable with two USB connectors. You need to use both USB connections in order to get enough power for both the keyboard and if you want to use external HDDs and some USB flash drives that need additional power. The cable is really well made, quite long and fully braided.
On the back side there is a set of rubberized feet and they can be changed to tilt keyboard at different angles (7 degrees or 10 degrees). Most will definitely use small ones, as the keyboard itself is designed to lie flat.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Software
To make most of the Apex keyboard, you need to install SteelSeries Engine, which can be downloaded from Steelseries web site, as there is no software CD in the box. Engine is used for setting color illumination, but also for making macros or shortcuts for launching programs.
You can save unlimited profiles, for various programs, that can be automatically triggered when program becomes active. Game profile? Make it active when you launch your game!
Interesting feature is Statistics tab, which allows to record key-presses. This can be used, for example, to identify the keys you are not using as much as others.
Engine software itself is nicely designed and easy to use.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Conclusion
Build quality
At the moment, Apex is SteelSeries’ top-offer rubber dome keyboard, so build quality is perfect. It is quite firm and thanks to rubber feet, it has safe stand on every surface. Adjusting keyboard angle require replacing feet, which are packed additionally in the package box.Design
Apex is really well designed. Sleek curves around the LED lit sides and illuminated key zones will capture your attention right away. It is imperative that you measure your desk space as the Apex is a really wide keyboard. Macro keys are great addition, for gaming and as shortcuts launchers.It is packed with features, macro and media keys. Diagonal directional keys? Yes. What would gamer wanted more?
Software
The software was very easy to use and had some interesting features. It has unlimited place for your profiles and can be organized in four layers.You need to download SteelSeries Engine software (around 40mb) from their site, as there is no software CD in the packaging.
Perfomance
For general use, as typing, keyboard is really nice to use. Integrated wrist rest aided comfort for hours of typing and big spacebar, although maybe unnecessary big, is great to use.For gaming, biggest difference you will probably see in RPG and FPS, thanks to macros and an improved performance. It makes playing games more fun, that is for sure.
Price / Recommendation
Overall, Apex is great keyboard to use, for gaming and for general use. Priced at US $99.99, you get great performance and bunch of features for an average price. It definitely fits the bang-for-buck segment.We gave the Apex from SteelSeries 4.5 out of 5 stars.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |