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. The built-in display can be used to cycle through five built-in lighting schemes (Vapors, Coast, Haze, Prism and Orange) or navigate a Custom setting. The Apex 7 has thick and stable feet that make using it more comfortable whilst also remaining resolutely in place. Also of note is the Apex 7’s cable. The display is a monochrome rectangle that displays a SteelSeries logo by default. 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. Also, the RGB lighting of the SteelSeries bleeds a lot more than the Razer's. Unfortunately there did appear to be some problems with key presses not registering during particularly hectic moments in games like Overwatch when I had to quickly switch between keys. SteelSeries Apex 7. 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. I learned to touch-type specifically so I wouldn’t have to stare at my keyboard while I’m using my PC. There’s no denying that the Apex 7 is an attractive keyboard--it’s certainly easier on the eyes than most “gaming keyboards” on the market--but I don’t think that’s worth the $160 asking price. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. For anyone who only has a passing interest in RGB lighting, though, not having to install additional software could be the best justification for the OLED Smart Display. Combined with the keycaps, which don’t rely on typographic monstrosities to convey the Apex 7’s status as a gaming keyboard, the frame makes it clear that the Apex 7 is supposed to be a premium device that wouldn’t look out of place in the office. SteelSeries Aerox 3 Review. Having to accommodate the number pad after getting used to using tenkeyless keyboards meant I was putting more stress on my shoulders by spreading them further apart. 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. But the sizing issue is really a matter of preference--and price, since the Apex 7 TKL (sans the number pad) costs $30 less than its full-sized counterpart--in the end. The options are limited and the menus aren’t easy to navigate. Michael Justin Allen Sexton is a life-long tech enthusiast and gamer. Published: 12th November 2019 | Source: Steelseries | Price: | Author: Bryan Waters. Review: SteelSeries Apex 7 Toetsenbord. Though it may just look like dressing at first, this unusual feature makes the keyboard more customizable. Changing the game since 2001. 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. 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. Fitur Tambahan SteelSeries Apex 7 SteelSeries Apex 7. It can be customized to display a 120 x 48 pixel image, too, for anyone who’d like to add a little bit of personal flair to the device. I didn’t have any problems performing similar maneuvers on the Logitech G Pro after multiple attempts. 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. There isn’t as much customizability with the Apex 7 as there is the Apex Pro, thanks to the missing OmniPoint switches, but different lighting profiles can help set the mood based on what’s on-screen. The pre-travel distance is shorter on the BlackWidow, but the keys of the Apex 7 feel lighter. The Apex 7 is available with SteelSeries’ own QX2 mechanical Red, Blue or Brown switches but the Apex Pro brings a first of its kind, adjustable mechanical switches with per-key customisation, something we’re very keen to try out! The Brown-switch alternative might be better if you like the tactile bump of a mechanical but have noise concerns. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Engine 3 is cleanly laid out, with all keyboard functions divided into three tabbed sections (for shortcuts, lighting, and the OLED panel), and it's both powerful and easy to use, the equal of competing utilities from other gaming-board makers. In het kort. Typing is just the reverse though, I have a lot of typos with the super fast actuation. All three key types fall under the umbrella of SteelSeries' own "QX2" mechanisms. 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. But I noticed that inputs were regularly ignored during frantic moments--which is exactly when gamers expect their keyboards to perform flawlessly. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – OLED Smart Display – USB Passthrough and Media Controls – Tactile and Quiet – RGB Backlit (Brown Switch) at Amazon.com. The more useful application of the OLED panel, though, is informational. L’Apex 7 dispose des mêmes fonctionnalités que l’Apex Pro, à l’exception du type de switchs. I’m a big fan of SteelSeries gaming hardware, as they almost always slap an OLED display on their premium peripherals. 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. What it lacks in pure typing performance … The results confirmed what I'd already suspected about the Apex 7, which was that I was typing faster but also making more mistakes. 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. SteelSeries constructed the Apex 7’s case with an “aircraft grade aluminum alloy” that gives it a satisfying heft. What separates the Steelseries Apex 7 apart from other gaming keyboards is its OLED display. ... we have the full size Apex 7 in for review today. How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Read Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review, Read Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard (AW768) Review, Logitech Is Adding a Carbon Impact Rating to Its Products, Logitech Launches G915 TKL Wireless RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, How to Control Multiple Computers With One Keyboard and Mouse, Microsoft Adds Office and Emoji Keys to New Keyboards. Up Close. 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. Price Match Guarantee. However, it's just a little too expensive to justify at this price. Despite the noise, I found that typing on the keyboard was pleasant and in line with expectations for Blue-class keys. Like I mentioned earlier, the Apex 7 features two built-in legs that allow the back of the keyboard to be angled for more comfortable typing. Most use it to display additional information: One previews messages received via Discord, another displays in-game details about ongoing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive matches, and SteelSeries said one showing the currently playing Spotify song is “coming soon.” Those details could prove useful, but might not be enough to convince someone to Alt-Tab out of a game so they can view them on their monitor. 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. That's just about all that this killer keyboard is lacking, though, and it's not a shortfall. El software SteelSeries Engine es universalmente reconocido como extremadamente fácil de usar. 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. if i'm going to pay $160 I might as well just build my own or go with a huntsman. 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. Best move I have made in a long time. The Apex M750 is a large flagship keyboard from SteelSeries, and it’s set to take on Corsair, Razer and Asus ROG. steelseries_apex7_1.jpgUltimately, despite some complaints, the Apex 7 is a fine keyboard worthy of the SteelSeries name. SteelSeries Apex 7 Review SteelSeries is one of the biggest names in gaming peripherals and for good reason; the diverse range of products and features ensures that no matter the application or budget, SteelSeries offers a product to suit you. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and the Razer BlackWidow Elite are two amazing gaming keyboards. Let's glance at the specs and then dig through some pictures of it in the flesh. 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. Screens on keyboards, not a new thing. As you can see in our review of the SteelSeries Arctis 5, the appearance of the Arctis 7 is nearly identical. 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. 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. Steelseries wants you to install its Engine software and register your headset for the privilege, which is a bit of a hassle. Keyboard manufacturers seem convinced that people want more information at their fingertips -- literally. 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. At 403 x 139 x 17mm (15.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches), the Apex 7 isn't a small keyboard. SteelSeries promised innovation at Computex 2019 when they introduced their new Apex keyboards. 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. I usually score around 103 wpm on the Logitech G Pro and Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard, with fewer errors on each, so I'm clearly hitting keys faster on the Apex 7. Thanks to … That said, these problems didn’t affect the Apex 7 during everyday use. 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. The Steelseries Engine is one of those software packages that is so easy to use you wonder why other offerings can be so byzantine. This monochromatic panel is supposed to represent the future of keyboards. By Megan Thaler 12 minute read Read Post. PCMag Digital Group. So I'm looking to buy one of the new Steelseries keyboards, but I don't know which one. 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. I’ve had similar problems with other keyboards that were supposed to offer at-a-glance information. (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 … © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. Please refresh the page and try again. Model: 64646 ... --- I wrote this whole review on my Apex 7 TKL and I gotta say, I love typing on it. You will receive a verification email shortly. ImageSync es la primera herramienta programable de su tipo que crea los efectos de iluminación más complicados en segundos. As with most major key switch brands, the QX2 mechanical switches are rated for 50 million keypresses. 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. Like all of the keys on the keyboard, the scroll wheel and button can be reprogrammed to support other functions. SteelSeries Apex Pro review Taking magnetism to another level By Bill Thomas 19 June 2019. I wrote most of this review on the Apex 7 and didn’t have any more typos than I usually do. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. Steelseries apex 3 review - whisper quiet gaming 2 I can’t help but feel that the Apex 3 is the perfect content creator keyboard, rather than your hardcore gamers — It is ultra-quiet, won’t interrupt those late night streams with loud clicking noises, looks fantastic and its performance is comparable with mechanical switch keyboards. 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 SteelSeries Apex Pro Keyboard features new OminPoint analog switches, how does it stack up for gaming? The next leap in mechanical keyboards. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. 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. SteelSeries Apex Pro Gaming Keyboard On Amazon Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Review. Some errors are to be expected when playing an online game. Gamers who frequently move their keyboards between multiple PC will also appreciate this. 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. 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. But without those OmniPoint switches, the Apex 7 relies on the OLED Smart Display to stand out. Why break that habit--and ruin my posture--to look at the keyboard when there’s a monitor right in front of me? 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. What I love about the SteelSeries Apex 7 keyboard: 1. Review: SteelSeries Apex 7 keyboard. I like the brushed metal--it’s a nice change of pace from the plastic cases I’ve encountered on most keyboards. ... made keeping up with other players during matches of Quake Champions or Apex Legends a breeze. Utilising a new and exclusive keyswitch, the … To access all of the keyboard's features, you will need to download SteelSeries' Engine 3 software. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. For the past few years, I’ve been singing the praises of SteelSeries peripherals to anyone who’ll listen. It … Alle reviews van de Steelseries Apex 7 vind je op Tweakers The palm rest has a comfortable, rubbery coating and is held on by a pair of magnets. (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 … 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. Your subscription has been confirmed. The magnets help keep the wrist rest lined up with the keyboard, but they aren't all that strong; they do little to keep the palm rest attached. So I turned to the Aesop’s Fable test at TypingTest.com. 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. Shop Now > OUR STORY. 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