The Apex Pro keyboard was a unique product when it first came out a few years back. Instead of using mechanical or optical components, the SteelSeries gaming family’s flagship is equipped with specialized “OmniPoint” switches. Gamers may modify their unique actuation point, as well as benefit from increased response time and operating longevity, thanks to these switches’ precise magnetic force readings that pinpoint the exact position of the core 61 keys.
Those switches are still fantastic in 2021, two years later. You receive 61 of these cutting-edge keys that SteelSeries spent years creating whether you choose the full-size variant or the more compact TKL alternative. There is still nothing quite like them in terms of their unique feel and actuation adjustment method, despite the fact that other manufacturers have now reached their speed and performance because to the advancement of technology.
However, the rest of the keyboard hasn’t changed since 2019. Additionally, it came pre-packaged with other design features that were oddly out of date at the time. This is still a wonderful option if you can overlook these peculiar features and require this particular kind of adaptability, or if you’re a committed member of the SteelSeries community and want the best keyboard it has to offer.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL is offered on Amazon in the TKL variant and costs $179. With respect to pricing, it places them in close competition with a large number of well-liked wired and wireless gaming models.
Specifications
- Adjustable mechanical key switches
- 0.4 to 3.6 mm actuation point
- Aluminium chassis with magnetic wrist-rest
- OLED Smart Display
- Customisable RGB lighting
Build and design
The moment the Apex Pro was taken out of its packaging, it made a strong impression. Although I wouldn’t advise throwing it against a wall if you want all the keys to stay in tact, the aluminum-alloy frame has been described as “aircraft” quality, suggesting it could probably endure a lot of abuse.
Apart from that, knowing that the Apex Pro will last through a fair amount of use and abuse makes it feel like a premium product, a quality that is further supported by its slick OLED smart display, scroll wheel, and assortment of other features that lift it above a typical gaming keyboard. On the back, there is a USB passthrough port that is perfect for bringing in controllers or other devices that might be taken out quickly.
The aforementioned OLED display can be personalized with a variety of statistics, or you can alter it yourself to display unique graphics or text that corresponds to your interests. I’ll grant that for most gamers, it’s a very pointless tool, but in my experience, it can be a deliciously complementing feature when used properly.
The OLED screen will typically alternate between the temperature and the GPU, CPU, and RAM use. This is ideal for seeing how much your computer can tolerate in terms of Google Chrome tabs or how much strain the newest games may be putting on it.
SteelSeries’ unique OmniPoint switches are used in the construction of the keyboard. These have an extremely quick 0.7 millisecond response time and a tiny 0.4 millimeter actuation point. As a result, using the Apex Pro on a daily basis feels incredibly fulfilling, whether you’re typing thousands of words into Google Docs or enjoying some Overwatch in the evening. Despite having a strong pull toward being a gaming peripheral, this isn’t just that.
The RGB lighting of the Apex Pro may be completely customized, just like the keys themselves, thanks to a special program made by SteelSeries. It’s simple to use and lets you register multiple profiles, each with a unique lighting scheme. Since each key can be decorated with a different color, you can create any image as long as it fits in the available space.
Verdict
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL is an excellent gaming keyboard that has quick and responsive mechanical switches as well as cutting-edge elements like customizable actuation points and an OLED display.
Due to the lack of tactile feedback, some users might not prefer its linear switches for regular typing. The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is the better option if you want tactile switches.
