When SteelSeries asked if I wanted to review their fancy new Apex keyboard I absolutely jumped at the idea. I’ve never reviewed a keyboard before and this one has lights and extra buttons and everything so this should be a lot of fun.
It isn’t. It’s hard work. I mean how do you go about reviewing a keyboard, especially if you are mainly a software reviewer?
It has all the keys you need and when you click them they work.. there are also lights and stuff and yeah we’re done. A+? No there has to be more to this surely?
So I took a look at the marketing video for the Apex
Okay so let’s look into what you actually get with the SteelSeries Apex Keyboard
First up you’ll notice that the keyboard comes with two USB ports at the top and seeing that I never have enough USB ports this is a nice addition. Next up you will notice the lights but we’ll get back to those. SteelSeries have also added two new arrow keys which you can use for forwards and left or right.
It’s one of those little additions that makes you wonder why everyone didn’t do it? You also get 22 special programmable macro keys and 20 ghosting keys… Now I had to go find out what a ghosting key is but the idea is brilliant. Basically there are 20 keys that they have chosen where if you press up to 6 of them simultaneously the commands will still be received and they won’t block each other. This is handy, because the Apex isn’t a mechanical keyboard.
That can give you that split second advantage in a competitive game whereas on a normal keyboard you would just stop in the open and beg to be shot. The keys chosen as ghost keys are
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Q, W, E, R, A, S, D, F
- Left-Ctrl
- Left Shift
- Space bar
- 4 arrow keys
So what about those lights?
The lighting on the edge of the keyboard is purely for show. You can change it to anyone of 16.8 million colours and change the brightness level between 8 preset options.
However the key colour isn’t purely for aesthetic purposes with the keys split into 5 independent zones and each zone’s colouring able to be set using the Apex software. You also have 4 quick access key that allow you to customise each layers colour and macro’s independently.
For example I have a soft blue hue for my programming work with some programming useful macro’s setup. Then I have my online shooter mode with red for Death in the middle and green around so I can easily keep track of where my macro’s and normal keys are.
For people who play DOTA or LoL or whatever, they are all the same anyway, you would likely use a layout specifically for your games.
Then utilising the SteelSeries engine you can also track how many button pushes you are doing and where the concentration of the keystrokes are. If you constantly miss the one key then you will be able to see exactly where you are going wrong and either remap your keys to where you naturally hit or stop being an idiot and missing your keys.
That’s the crux of the software but there are a ton of mini features that make this keyboard even better. The windows button is where you expect to find it but you can quickly disable it while gaming to ensure you don’t suddenly end up back at windows. The angle of the keyboard can be changed, you have independent media keys to control volume while gaming. And there are tactile dimples on the W key just in case your fingers get lost.
It’s not perfect though, the enter button is far too small for my liking and it’s a monster sized keyboard so if you are someone who travels a lot with your keyboard then it’s not ideal. But that’s not what it is made for.
The keyboard will set you back around R1300 and is obviously targeted at the hard-core market. It’s a lot of money but at the same time you are guaranteed to make a splash at any LAN and the quality of SteelSeries speaks for itself. This is definitely a solid piece of equipment to add to your setup.
Last Updated: November 27, 2013
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:35
“this one has lights and extra buttons and everything so this should be a lot of fun.”
Oh dear, now this is going to be interesting 😉
*goes off to read*
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:36
“The lighting on the edge of the keyboard is purely for show. You can change it to anyone of 16.8 million colours and change the brightness level between 8 preset options.”
This is rather cool!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:51
16.8 million colours? I call bull
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 12:52
I don’t think bull is a color choice mate
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:53
Hmmff
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 12:55
although I guess it’s as good a name as any to give one of the thousands of shades of brown you can create I guess
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:56
Personally I only create about four shades.
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 27, 2013 at 13:04
What about Kapoen or Sharkie?
Kapoen= A colour between Kak and Pampoen
Sharkie= A colour between Shit and khaki
Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith
November 27, 2013 at 13:06
Isn’t Sharkie the same color as “Baby Shit Green”?
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:09
Well, shit and khaki beat all the other rugby teams this season. How embarrassing.
Lourens Jordaan
November 27, 2013 at 12:56
Let me count them…. one…. two ….. threeeeeee…..oh crap…. one, two, three, four, hey it’s pursday….. aaaaaaah!!!……1, 2, 3, etc…..
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 13:04
59! one hundred sixty seven!
Ten!
One!
NINE THOUSAND!
Lourens Jordaan
November 27, 2013 at 13:45
You asshole. Lost count. 1, 2, 3, 4 ….. I have to say that this would have been easier if I weren’t colour blind.
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:55
5 8 3 9 6 3 13
Lourens Jordaan
November 27, 2013 at 14:30
58396314, 58396315, 58396316, 58396317……
Lourens Jordaan
November 27, 2013 at 14:34
I was almost up to the fiftieth shade of grey when you interrupted me.
Gavin Mannion
November 27, 2013 at 13:00
Any colour wheel can give you 16.8 million colours.. it’s an old marketing BS tactic that is true
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:08
Haha. Quite. I have to use a pantone daily.
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:38
Out of 10, what would you rate it Gav?
Looks like a solid, awesome keyboard (this is a lot coming from a Razer fan like myself)
Gavin Mannion
November 27, 2013 at 12:41
I avoid rating hardware with points because I honestly don’t think I’m qualified… it is the best keyboard I’ve personally used but I’d prefer mechanical with a larger enter button so say 9?
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:43
Noted, thanks
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 27, 2013 at 12:54
He is not qualified, he does not have an AMBE degree.(Articulating Male Bovine Excrement)
(a.k.a Talking Bullshit)
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:39
So if I just so happen to want to crouch (c), throw a granade (g) and do a melee attack (v) I’m pretty screwed.
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:44
You want to melee your grenade?
I’d say in your case that’s a safety feature, and you should be thankful
😛
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:46
Im hardcore like that. I kill granades with knives! Kamakazi style!
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 27, 2013 at 12:47
Do you also rocket-crouch? 😉
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:49
DO YOU NOT?!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:53
Makes me think of this…
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:55
hahaha!!! Talos save us! It’s so pointy!
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 12:55
hehehe that made me giggle
Unavengedavo(aka. MadeYouLook)
November 27, 2013 at 13:01
Hehe, but what if he trips and falls?
Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith
November 27, 2013 at 13:03
He becomes a hedgehog
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:10
Then he rolls up in a ball and becomes a human morning star
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:12
poor ground
HvR
November 27, 2013 at 13:04
He is a hardcore Fruit Ninja.
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:44
Oh, and its GRENADE
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:04
youd be surprised, in competative gaming, how limiting it is only being able to use 3 keys.
I used to play CoD4 semi competatively in 2008/9, and situations like strafing diagonally left, holding breath with a sniper and going for a jump shot, and suddenly i dont jump, end up shooting the empty wall in front of my face, and the enemy just rocks up at my doorstep with an SMG because i revealed myself on the map.
keyboards also have reaction times, have you ever watched a korean starcraft player with their amazing APM, and wonder what would happen if they had a shitty normal keyboard?
Andy-Jay Johnson
April 17, 2014 at 05:37
I know it’s about five months after your comment, however I’d like to draw your attention to this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aNNqCc3GS4
Those keyboards will set you back about $10-15 in Korea, anc they generally replace them fairly regularly since membrane keyboards harden up the more you use them, and DRG averages somewhere between 300-400apm. Recorded earlier this year as well
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 12:42
” hit or stop being an idiot and missing your keys.” made me lol
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 27, 2013 at 12:44
*drool*
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:48
There is but onething that pisses me with a keyboard: A small (one button size) backspace. I keep on hitting the damn key next to it!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:50
That and I also say that there is a special place in hell for the guy who decided to make the enter key I shaped instead of the old inverted L. The long flat one like on this keyboard also works though.
ProtestTheMossel
November 27, 2013 at 12:53
Oh man, I shaped enter key. This sums up my reaction.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:48
I actually really need a new keyboard, since I’ve now replaced my mouse. But this is a bit much
HvR
November 27, 2013 at 13:08
Got my new Tte Saphira yesterday.
First “gaming mouse” after my MS Optical mouse died after 13 years . RIP
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:11
My MS mouse is actually still going (first optical mouse I ever owned), but thought I deserved a gaming mouse. I got a DeathTaker now. A gaming mouse really does make a difference.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 12:52
I think that Steelseries should play it cool and give one of these to Lazygamer to give away in a lucky draw. Yep. I think that’s the right thing to do
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 12:54
Seconded
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:05
Thirded.
Motion accepted.
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 12:56
a Steelseries Christmas giveaway sounds appealing.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 12:57
I will take it, no need to fight over such a thing.
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:11
I would fight you if you won
meet you outside bayside KFC?
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:12
Where is that? I’m assuming near a bay somewhere?
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:12
We’d need to organize some kind of gladiator-style tournament.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:13
Awesome. Do we at least get food before the fight? It makes losing easier to deal with.
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:15
Too expensive to feed several hundred gamers.
I mean think of the hospital fees alone.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:16
True. Though I’m sure people would pay to watch. What’s not funny about a bunch of gamers (99% of which have never been in a fight) trying to box?
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:19
I’m sure most gamers have played some form of fighting game.
Imagine all the people who will try to do a Shinkou Hadouken.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:20
I’m more curious to see someone do the Johnny Cage split-punch
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:18
We’ll find out who really lifts.
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:19
Not me.
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:19
I lift glasses of wine. One after the other
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:06
Throw in a Siberia Elite headset and a mouse and it would be perfect.
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:10
Those Elites
ermagurd
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 12:55
been staring at this keyboard for weeks, a few thoughts:
-i like the positioning of the volume and stuff buttons on the right, right next to your mouse hand, nice and big aswell.
-the 2 bumps on the ‘s’ key is fantastic, really simple but REALLY usefull.
-the colour specific macros is actually really usefull for gaming, having the left panel a different colour for your micro’d units, just to see in your peripheral vision is amazing.
Ive been struggling with my dota lately because i simply dont have enough buttons to macro everything to. makes controlling heroes like chen and lon druid way simpler.
but i dont see too much benefit for shooters etc.
Really considering spoiling myself.
Gavin Mannion
November 27, 2013 at 12:58
The only benefit I could think off for shooters is the missed key engine and then changing the lights so your brain recognises you are in a different shooter?
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:09
the miss key and being able to push up to 6 is pretty usefull for shooters, but thats available with other cheaper keyboards aswell.
the lights on my Lycosa have never made much of a difference in shooters for me.
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:13
I’ve only ever used 2 light settings on my Lycosa.
All on for when I’m using it or all off for when I leave my PC on overnight.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 27, 2013 at 13:16
lol me too!
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:17
I thought you put it on dim when you get intimate.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 13:21
No. That’s the pulsate light function you are thinking of
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:24
O_o
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 13:28
along with some soft Barry White music playing through those steel series headphones
John's (JJ's) finest excuse
November 27, 2013 at 13:29
Barry White can make any person in any situation feel hot and flustered.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
November 27, 2013 at 13:29
Just don’t become too flustered and drop that… mouse
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:23
Lol. same tactic here dude!
hairyknees
November 27, 2013 at 13:05
I have this keyboard. Its awesome 😀
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:06
So your insane DOTAS has not broken it?
😛
hairyknees
November 27, 2013 at 13:46
Hahaha not just yet. I actually haven’t sat and worked out and macros yet 😡
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:59
do it, makes it much easier to control bear, while keeping your regular item slot hotkeys.
Matthew Holliday
November 27, 2013 at 13:10
then ysobad at Lone Druid =D?
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:23
LOOOOOL
ToshZA
November 27, 2013 at 13:35
hahahahaha
hairyknees
November 27, 2013 at 13:46
PSH! Admiral Bulldog is my stage name! 😛
Rags
November 27, 2013 at 13:24
Bit expensive for non mechanical. Also the ghosting keys do not apply to Tony Hawk keys C, V and B 🙁
ToshZA
November 27, 2013 at 13:37
There’s always one question I have to ask for keyboards, because so far every keyboard I’ve ever had has died for one reason alone: Is it spill resistant? Can I mess my coffee or coke on the thing, and still expect it to work?
Gavin Mannion
November 27, 2013 at 13:38
hmm not sure how happy SteelSeries would be if I did that…
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:40
Take one for the team!
ToshZA
November 27, 2013 at 13:42
R1300 is a lot to take for the team man. That’s kinda why I ask, because I’m loath to spend so much on something that could die on me next week. Totally my fault as well, so warranties don’t cover my clumsy ass.
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:42
*ring ring*
Hello?
Um, hi I’m just phoning to ask if the Apex keyboard you gave us to review is spill resistant?
Sorry but no it isn’t. Why do you ask?
Oh, no reason.
*beep beep*
Dammit Darry why’d you have to spill you coffee on the keyboard?
ToshZA
November 27, 2013 at 13:43
If it was Darryn, it wouldn’t be coffee that got spilled. *RUNS*
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:44
O_O
Kensei Seraph
November 27, 2013 at 13:44
Coffee is used as an euphemism. This is a family website after all.
*cloaks and sprints*
ToshZA
November 27, 2013 at 13:44
Gives a new meaning to brown sugar. AMIRITE?! hahahaha. *RUNS AGAIN*
Admiral Chief Duke
November 27, 2013 at 13:43
For some reason I thought the reply was gonna be something like
q209348yla
1324
f452woiu4a
35[a;ds
we57;o3tew
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twer
Sk3tz0
November 27, 2013 at 13:55
Right Now any keyboard be better than my crusty outdated Z Board.. lol.. But 1300 Coin rather much.. any1 know of a cheaper option. thats good for gaming and typing..
Dominik
January 9, 2014 at 19:28
steelaeries apex key V and f didnt work help me pls