SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard Review

Looking around the SteelSeries Apex

Measuring 22.05 inches across, the SteelSeries Apex is one of the longest, if not the longest keyboard we have reviewed thanks to the three columns of extra macro keys. The keyboard is also unsurprisingly lightweight due the plastic construction finished in both textured and glossy surfaces.

Only one of the USB plugs has to actually be plugged in order for the Apex to operate. The other USB plug is for USB passthrough.

The backlights get washed out in a well-lit room, but in complete darkness or a medium-lit room, the backlights shine through nicely on the brightest setting.

The Apex uses low profile keys on plastic membrane domes that have a short keytravel. The array of 20 keys under the left hand commonly used for gaming have been setup to avoid as much ghosting as possible with 6 key rollover.

The Apex has lots of macro keys that can be assigned a custom macro command. On the left side are 10 macros numbered from MX1 to MX10 arranged in two columns of five. Above these macros are four Level keys and each switch to a different macro and backlight profile when pressed.

Additionally, almost all of the keys can be overridden and assigned a custom macro including the diagonal arrow keys. The Fn modifier key with the SteelSeries logo is the only key on the entire keyboard that cannot be overridden with a custom macro. This key is used for adjusting the backlight brightness or disabling the Windows key.

On the right side is a column of dedicated media keys. These too can be overridden with a custom macro command. The volume keys are dual-function and pressing the Fn modifier key with the SteelSeries logo will change the brightness.

Above the F-keys is a row of half-sized macro keys numbered from M1 to M12. These keys are also taller than the F-keys and are easy to feel when reaching up for that row.

There’s nothing overly suspicious going on with the bottom of the keyboard.

The only thing to note is that a pair of feet can be swapped for another included pair of taller feet to adjust the height of the keyboard. This implementation is clearly more reliable than the flip-out feet on most keyboards.