Steelseries Apex Pro Keyboard Review

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The Apex Pro has a very clear product image and description on the box. Too often manufacturers want to show you every tiny thing that their product does, but Steelseries have kept it simple by showing off the lighting and Omnipoint switch options as well as attracting those with just a console by listing the compatibility options.

  
  

In the box you have the keyboard itself, a clear and well written user guide as well as a high quality wrist rest which attaches to the main Apex Pro itself with strong magnets. With the abilities of the OLED display and onboard key combinations you could get away without downloading and installing the Steelseries Engine software, but we’d recommend you do.

  

So often we test products which seem to have been designed without any thought to where the user places their system (headsets with the cable on the left ear piece being a particular offender) and if you too find this annoying then you’ll be pleased that the Apex Pro offers all three main routing options.

  

The Omnipoint switches are what separates the Apex Pro from the majority of the competition and rises it above Steelseries other Apex models. Those of you with a penchant for custom key caps will appreciate the standard cross mounting point, whilst the rest of us can enjoy the ability to adjust the height at which the key actuates to our own preference.

  

As well as some onboard key combinations for live macro recording or lighting adjustment, the real star is the OLED display at the top right and the two controls for it in the form of a button and the volume wheel which also has a click function just like you find on your mouse. We’ll look at this in more detail in a moment.

  

Getting your keyboard to the correct height for long term use without strain is vital and with the Apex Pro there are some very sturdy feet that keep each key, if you’ll pardon the expression, at your fingertips.

  

The cable is rubberised rather than braided, something which is definitely becoming more common these days and stops your cable getting the hairy look after you’ve used it for a while. There are clearly labelled USB connectors for both the keyboard and the USB pass-through. Those of you short on USB ports will appreciate that you only need the keyboard connector in for all the non-pass-through parts to work.