A cable management tray helps keep things relatively neat, though, so long as you can ignore the thick cable protruding from the back of the keyboard. The Apex 7 is their flagship model, rammed fully of funky features like a built-in OLED display, per-key RGB lighting, an aluminium frame, a detachable wrist rest and much more. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard â OLED Smart Display â USB Passthrough and Media Controls â Tactile and Quiet â RGB Backlit (Brown Switch) at Amazon.com. Our opinion of it holds. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. Hardware. Does anyone have experience with the 7 and Pro version, and can tell me, if they think the Pro version is worth the money over the Apex 7? (Yes, I’m aware that this makes me the outlier in an age when RGB lighting is finding its way into almost everything, but that’s just fine by me.). El software SteelSeries Engine es universalmente reconocido como extremadamente fácil de usar. Awaiting a reply from SteelSeries, but I imagine I'm stuck with the defective switch and will likely purchase a different brand as a replacement. This website can use cookies to improve the user experience This website can use cookies to improve the user experience and to provide certain services and functions to users. SteelSeries Apex 7 Brown Switch Edition However, in recent years, many keyboard brands have been moving away from Cherry switches and making their own. NY 10036. However, it's fairly safe to say that Razer BlackWidow Elite is a more popular gaming keyboard, based on its 4,000+ reviews. As with most major key switch brands, the QX2 mechanical switches are rated for 50 million keypresses. There are a lot of newer gaming keyboards on the market. In the upper-right-hand corner of the keyboard is a narrow, clickable scroll wheel that controls the computer's volume, and below it is a button that pauses or plays any media you have open. The body is made of aluminum alloy, and itâs incredibly sturdy. SteelSeries is updating its mechanical keyboards with variations on its new Apex Pro and Apex 7, and some of the changes are subtle in look but significant in practice. The aluminum plate has a soft finish to it and the keyboard uses doubleshot ABS keycaps, which is great for durability of the key legends. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. The Steelseries Engine is one of those software packages that is so easy to use you wonder why other offerings can be so byzantine. The Apex 7 TKL model that I tested came with the Blue variety of the QX2 switches, which provide tactile feedback when struck and produce a loud click, in the tradition of the classic Cherry MX Blue switches. Changing the game since 2001. SteelSeries also provides a sturdy palm rest with the keyboard. With a recommended retail price of $000.00AUD (Jan 2020), the SteelSeries Apex 7 is a great contender when it comes to mechanical gaming keyboards that provides speed, silence and performance that is quite affordably priced. The Apex 7’s RGB lighting is controlled with the same SteelSeries Engine 3 software as the Apex Pro. The SteelSeries Apex 7 is a solid keyboard that lacks the per-key customization that made its counterpart, the Apex Pro, worth considering. SteelSeries Apex Pro review Taking magnetism to another level By Bill Thomas 19 June 2019. Although the audible feedback is part of the attraction with keyboards that use Blue-style switches, the Apex 7 TKL will be uncomfortably loud if you use it in a communal workspace or in a household of light sleepers. But I noticed that inputs were regularly ignored during frantic moments--which is exactly when gamers expect their keyboards to perform flawlessly. Iâm a big fan of SteelSeries gaming hardware, as they almost always slap an OLED display on their premium peripherals. (Note: PCMag reviewed the $129.99 tenkeyless version of the Apex 7, but there is a $159.99 full-size model as well, which would be comparable to the Apex ⦠SteelSeries Apex 7. Relying on its existing switch options gives SteelSeries an easy way to take advantage of all the design work that went into the Apex Pro--including the OLED Smart Display--but with a lower price meant to help those design elements reach more people. steelseries_apex7_1.jpgUltimately, despite some complaints, the Apex 7 is a fine keyboard worthy of the SteelSeries name. In that way, the Apex 7 TKL strikes a deft balance for its price. What are my thoughts about it? There are only two settings--the legs are either tucked in or pulled out--which might disappoint anyone looking for more precise angling options, but plenty of keyboards employ a similarly limited setup. Most people would be better served by competing products that either have more substantive features, or ditch them in pursuit of a lower price. That's especially true when the wrist rest is attached--suddenly the number pad, thick USB cable, and wrist rest have become more than the sum of their parts. The Apex M750 is a large flagship keyboard from SteelSeries, and itâs set to take on Corsair, Razer and Asus ROG. I’m not as keen on RGB lighting as some of our other writers and editors--I’m content to let all the pretty lights cycle through colors of the rainbow in the default “Coast” setting. The Apex 7 offers N-key rollover, so those moments should not have posed any problems. The Apex 7 TKL can be viewed as an unofficial successor to SteelSeries' Apex M750 TKL keyboard, and both products share many design features, including a classy, rigid aluminum frame. Steelseries Apex 7 vs Apex Pro. This led to some uncomfortable moments, which I'll discuss later, but it generally meant that once I put the Apex 7 down I was determined not to move it again. Yet I would regularly find that my bombs didn’t drop (so the Q didn’t register) or shields didn’t activate (which means the E didn’t) while using the Apex 7. We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Mechanical Keyboard Switch Testing Explained, Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Xtreme Motherboard Revealed, Nvidia Teases GeForce RTX 30 Mobile GPU Launch on January 12, Best Tech and PC Hardware Deals 2021: CPUs, SSDs and More, SteelSeries QX2 Mechanical RGB Switch in linear Red, tactile Brown, and clicky Blue, USB 2.0 Type-A (with an additional head for USB passthrough) via unbraided cable, 15.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches (403 x 139 x 17mm), OLED Smart Display doesn’t add much to the experience. It ⦠Certain settings are accessible only via this software, and you will also need to use Engine to upload a custom image to the OLED display. Articles 12.14.2020 Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. With the introduction of the Apex 7, we are taking SteelSeries Engine to the next level with a handful of new Engine Apps. The Apex 7 and Apex Pro are both well thought out, properly engineered and worthy of the SteelSeries name, but the pricetag, particularly on the Apex 7, does make things a little trickier. Shop Now > ... SteelSeries staff names the best games that we played in 2020. But with everything else about my setup being stable--the Apex 7 is literally the only thing I changed--the problem is most likely the keyboard’s fault. This website can use cookies to improve the user experience This website can use cookies to improve the user experience and to provide certain services and functions to users. Without the advantage of those OmniPoint switches, the only thing the Apex 7 really had going for it was the OLED Smart Display, and that simply isn’t a compelling enough gimmick to make up for the product’s other shortcomings. It's in the top 3 bestselling gaming keyboards and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Razer Ultimate Stealth or SteelSeries Apex. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. When he isn't gaming or tearing apart gadgets to learn how they work, he can usually be found reading history. What separates the Steelseries Apex 7 apart from other gaming keyboards is its OLED display. As you can see in our review of the SteelSeries Arctis 5, the appearance of the Arctis 7 is nearly identical. I am going to be reviewing the said mechanical gaming keyboard today. But we concluded our Apex Pro review by saying that the OmniPoint switches and their per-key customization options helped make up for the keyboard costing more than competitive products that were actually more comfortable to use. It’s an interesting concept, but it’s never managed to become core to my computer usage, despite repeated attempts to understand what the hype is about. SteelSeries Engine software is universally recognized as being extremely easy to use. Two stars have been deducted from my original review. Apex 7 memiliki beberapa fitur tambahan yang cukup menarik sebenarnya. ... you can pick up the SteelSeries Apex 7, ⦠The latter vary by game. A solid aluminum chassis, comfortable custom key switches, and a nifty OLED mini-display set apart SteelSeries' Apex 7 TKL, our favorite tenkeyless gaming keyboard to date. The Apex 7 TKL can be viewed as an unofficial successor to SteelSeries' Apex M750 TKL keyboard, and both products share many design features, including a classy, rigid aluminum frame. So I turned to the Aesop’s Fable test at TypingTest.com. For the past few years, Iâve been singing the praises of SteelSeries peripherals to anyone whoâll listen. The Apex 7 and Apex Pro are both well thought out, properly engineered and worthy of the SteelSeries name, but the pricetag, particularly on the Apex 7, does make things a little trickier. The panel is designed to work with applications such as Discord (for showing messages and identifying your correspondents) and Spotify (listing what track is being played), as well as to show various game-specific details. Logitech must have a patent on the location of their screen as why have it way over on right of KB when it could be squarely in the middle. I’m not particularly fond of this setup, largely because it can be hard to integrate into the hodgepodge of peripherals I already have connected to my system, but to each their own. The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL are similarly performing keyboards. The under-key ⦠SteelSeries promised innovation at Computex 2019 when they introduced their new Apex keyboards. By pressing and holding the keyboard's clickable scroll button for a few seconds, the OLED screen will switch to display the menu, which can be navigated using the button and scroll wheel to tweak settings, work with macros, and change profiles. We liked the Apex Pro, but most people aren’t willing to spend $200 on a keyboard, regardless of what kind of switch it uses. Alors que lâApex Pro est doté de switchs mécaniques réglables OmniPoint brevetés de SteelSeries, lâApex 7 comprend les switchs de gaming mécaniques de votre choix (rouges, bleus ou marron). Picking up or moving the keyboard at all will cause the palm rest to promptly detach and fall to the floor or desk. That's just about all that this killer keyboard is lacking, though, and it's not a shortfall. SteelSeries - Apex 7 TKL Wired Gaming Mechanical Red Switch Keyboard with RGB Back Lighting - Black. I wrote most of this review on the Apex 7 and didn’t have any more typos than I usually do. So SteelSeries Apex 7, while being a cheaper option, tends to get more favorable â reviews than the $154 Corsair K95 RGB Gaming Keyboard CHERRY, as seen on the chart below. All three switches for the Apex 7 TKL are rated by SteelSeries for a 2mm actuation point, so the perceived keypress depth ought not vary among the three switch types. Thereâs zero give to this board â I feel like you could shoot it with a rocket launcher and itâll stay intact. He's also a student of the Chinese language and has a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. (Note: PCMag reviewed the $129.99 tenkeyless version of the Apex 7, but there is a $159.99 full-size model as well, which would be comparable to the ⦠Steelseries is one of those gaming peripherals manufacturers that have an ace up its sleeve and one of its products, the Steelseries Apex 7, has one nifty feature that you will probably like. The last problem pushed me to replace a Strafe with a Steelseries Apex 7 TKL. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. That said, these problems didn’t affect the Apex 7 during everyday use. TypingTest scored me at 101 words per minute (wpm) after taking 10 typing errors into account. Vibrant LED lights with superb visibility 2. LâApex 7 dispose des mêmes fonctionnalités que lâApex Pro, à lâexception du type de switchs. Shop Now > OUR STORY. In another nice touch, channels on the bottom of the keyboard chassis help with cable management. The full-size Apex 7 costs $159.99, and the tenkeyless version costs $129.99 at the SteelSeries website and major retailers. Other companies have done similar things. SteelSeries Aerox 3 Review. SteelSeries Apex 7 is more popular It's fairly safe to say that SteelSeries Apex 7 is a more popular gaming keyboard, based on its 4,000+ reviews. Is this as convenient as using SteelSeries Engine 3? Let's glance at the specs and then dig through some pictures of it in the flesh. There was a problem. ... we have the full size Apex 7 in for review today. The SteelSeries Apex 7 is a solid keyboard that lacks the per-key customization that made its counterpart, the Apex Pro, worth considering. Take the $129.99 Apex 7 TKL tested here: It bears a strong resemblance to the company's earlier Apex M750 TKL, but with some extra flair and functionality, most notably a little OLED display in one corner. Das Keyboard made notifications via RGB lighting a central aspect of its Q devices (like the Das Keyboard Q5), and SteelSeries decided to do Das one better with the Apex 7, which features an OLED Smart Display in the top-right corner. (See our guide to mechanical keyboards for more on the nuances among switch types.) All three key types fall under the umbrella of SteelSeries' own "QX2" mechanisms. (The overall typing experience on the two keyboards with Red switches should be identical.). The more useful application of the OLED panel, though, is informational. SteelSeries also equips this keyboard with a USB passthrough port that illuminates and glows white. Explore > Rival 600. By default, the OLED display shows just the SteelSeries logo and brand name, but you can upload other images (including GIF and JPG files) for the keyboard to display. Door Jonah Knulst Op 12 sep, 2019. Your subscription has been confirmed. SteelSeries released the Apex 7 alongside the Apex Pro (as well as tenkeyless versions of both keyboards) earlier in 2019. Utilising a new and exclusive keyswitch, the ⦠I didn’t have any problems performing similar maneuvers on the Logitech G Pro after multiple attempts. SteelSeries offers three switch types for the Apex 7: linear Red switches, tactile Brown switches, and clicky Blue switches. Go to popularity ranking Also, the RGB lighting of the SteelSeries bleeds a lot more than the Razer's. I like the idea of being able to adjust the keys and customize it. Shop SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Brown Switch Brown at Best Buy. With the introduction of the Apex 7, we are taking SteelSeries Engine to the next level with a handful of new Engine Apps. It doesn’t quite justify its price because of the limited utility of its integrated OLED Smart Display and ubiquity of RGB-backlit keyboards. In het kort. © Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. ... made keeping up with other players during matches of Quake Champions or Apex Legends a breeze. The palm rest has a comfortable, rubbery coating and is held on by a pair of magnets. But the OLED Smart Display simply hasn’t made a difference in my day-to-day usage of the Apex 7 in the weeks I’ve spent with the keyboard. The pre-travel distance is shorter on the BlackWidow, but the keys of the Apex 7 feel lighter. ... made keeping up with other players during matches of Quake Champions or Apex Legends a breeze. The under-key lights look pleasant, the body is rock-solid, and the small OLED display has actual utility and wow factor in equal measure. Although you can manage many of the functions of this keyboard from the onboard menu system and the mini-screen, more complex key- and light-programming tasks are always more easily handled on your PC proper. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. Screens on keyboards, not a new thing. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Like all of the keys on the keyboard, the scroll wheel and button can be reprogrammed to support other functions. The headset is sleek and sophisticated, with an ⦠SteelSeries Aerox 3 Review. Ada USB passthrough port, ada cable routing di bagian bawah keyboard, dan ada juga beberapa tombol untuk fungsi multimedia di bagian kanan atas. Coming in hot at just $49.99 (£60 in the UK, and around AU$76) is the SteelSeries Apex 3, a budget-conscious option from the company's excellent Apex line. Their typing experiences are both great, but are different as the Apex Pro we tested uses linear keys, while our Apex 7 TKL unit uses Tactile keys. I could use SteelSeries Engine 3 to keep the RGB lighting in sync for my headset and mouse, both of which are also from SteelSeries, but I can’t see the lights on my ears or under my palm so I left ‘em alone. I've used plenty of keyboards with Cherry MX Blue switches, as well as Razer models with Razer's similar Green switches, and while those keyboards were also a bit noisy, the Apex 7 TKL tops them on key clatter. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Keyboard features new OminPoint analog switches, how does it stack up for gaming? ⦠ImageSync es la primera herramienta programable de su tipo que crea los efectos de iluminación más complicados en segundos. So SteelSeries Apex 7, while being a pricier option, tends to get more favorable â reviews than the $85 Razer BlackWidow Elite, as seen on the chart below. Having the included wrist rest made typing on the Apex 7 more comfortable as well--at least until I had to reach for my mouse. This monochromatic panel is supposed to represent the future of keyboards. You can also use the OLED display to adjust system settings (such as volume), or to switch profiles right from the keyboard display, all without having to reference a dialog or slider on your monitor. The problem is that the feature isn’t compelling enough to make up for the Apex 7’s shortcomings. SteelSeries Apex 7 Review. My review unit featured the Red switches, which are often marketed to gamers because they’re supposed to be a bit easier to press than their counterparts, and quieter, too, so as not to annoy everyone in voice chat with a bunch of clacking sounds. SteelSeries Apex 7 Review. My relative disinterest in advanced RGB lighting controls somewhat ironically helps me justify the OLED Smart Display. Best move I have made in a long time. Steeper angles fare slightly -- but not significantly -- better. Bekijk en vergelijk Toetsenborden, zoals de Steelseries Apex 7. What sets the TKL apart from most other keyboards, though, is its on-chassis micro-screen. The included wrist rest can help make up for the limited adjustability, though, and its magnetic attachment makes it easy to type on the Apex 7 without worrying about it sliding around. The software also simplifies the assignment and function of macro keys. Model: 64646 ... --- I wrote this whole review on my Apex 7 TKL and I gotta say, I love typing on it. Apex Pro. Both keyboards are available with SteelSeries' custom Red switches, and the Apex 7 TKL offers the option for Brown or Blue switches, as well. Despite the noise, I found that typing on the keyboard was pleasant and in line with expectations for Blue-class keys. Keyboard manufacturers seem convinced that people want more information at their fingertips -- literally. The Apex 7 packaging shows off all the key parts of the keyboard. Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Keyboard Review. That might have resulted from me being particularly cautious, though, or actively gauging how the keys felt while I was writing just to make sure my initial impressions weren’t clouding my final judgment. Visit our corporate site. Positioning your hands closer together when gaming is ergonomically and strategically a better bet, and the need to incorporate fewer pricey mechanical switches on a given keyboard means more of the cost can go toward adding innovative features or more creature comforts. The Apex 7 doesn't have a NumPad due to its TKL design, while the BlackWidow Elite is a full-size board. Teclado mecánico Apex 7, review y opinión del teclado. ... you can pick up the SteelSeries Apex 7, ⦠For anyone who’s more interested in customizing their setup than I: SteelSeries Engine 3 makes it easy to create individual profiles that automatically start in certain programs and games. These tunnels are meant to hold the keyboard's thick cable and have it exit the keyboard's rear edge where you like, but they can also be used to help route the cable for whatever device you plug into the USB passthrough port. In short, the Apex 7 is a middle-of-the-line keyboard with a relatively high price that only seems low because its higher-end sibling costs even more. Review: SteelSeries Apex 7 keyboard. The full-size Apex 7 costs $159.99, and the tenkeyless version costs $129.99 at the SteelSeries website and major retailers. Some errors are to be expected when playing an online game. The Apex 7 features SteelSeries' proprietary QX2 mechanical RGB switches, and the model we received included the linear red switch, but it is also available in blue or brown. Their halo offering for the foreseeable future, the Apex Pro features Hall effect switches for customizable actuation points, an integrated OLED display for function and form, powerful software drivers, and of course RGB lighting galore. The Brown-switch alternative might be better if you like the tactile bump of a mechanical but have noise concerns. I didn’t mind the switches themselves, even though I usually prefer tactile switches. Most of the noise produced by the keyboard sounds like it is produced by the keys bottoming out rather than from the actuation of the Blue switch mechanisms themselves. The Apex Pro is a full-size keyboard, while the Apex 7 TKL is an 80%, without the numpad. Steelseries apex 3 review - whisper quiet gaming 2 I canât help but feel that the Apex 3 is the perfect content creator keyboard, rather than your hardcore gamers â It is ultra-quiet, wonât interrupt those late night streams with loud clicking noises, looks fantastic and its performance is comparable with mechanical switch keyboards. It also boasts a sturdy aluminium chasis with excellent customisation options and a surprisingly useful OLED smart display. So I'm looking to buy one of the new Steelseries keyboards, but I don't know which one. While most of the keyboard is made of plastic, it has an aluminum plate on top to provide rigidity. All things considered, while the Apex 7 TKL is a loud typer in the Blue sample that we received for review, it remains enjoyable to use. SteelSeries Apex 7 was released last year in June. The keys felt like they actuated easily, without the need to apply excessive force, and I didn't feel any finger fatigue while typing this article using the keyboard. The Apex 7 uses their 2nd generation QX2 switch, which is similar to Cherry in design, features a 2mm actuation, 4mm total travel and a 45cN force. You can even use the menu system to program macros and build profiles without the need of any software on the computer. (Animated images display at a rate of 10 frames per second.). This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Software. And if the problem I had with missed inputs affects more than just our review unit, then this keyboard is even more problematic. The display is a monochrome rectangle that displays a SteelSeries logo by default. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The results confirmed what I'd already suspected about the Apex 7, which was that I was typing faster but also making more mistakes. Typing is just the reverse though, I have a lot of typos with the super fast actuation. (You buy a tenkeyless keyboard specially for the smaller footprint and the ability to position your hands closer together.) That paragraph might read like a bunch of gobbledygook to people who don’t play Overwatch, but the gist is that I’m doing a bunch of things at once to make sure my mech-piloting hamster doesn’t turn into so much roadkill. Thanks to ⦠Beside the scroll wheel and button is a little monochrome OLED display with a resolution of 128x40. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, The Apex 7 is a mainstream tenkeyless that isn't over designed nor under-featured. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-7-tkl. The review is about the Apex Pro Keyboard, NOT Apex 7. At least they didn't go mad and use them like DAS did on the keycaps.