Keyboard reviews always seem like a silly affair. It plugs in, you type, the letters appear on the screen, the end, right? Well, not all keyboards were created equal, and the SteelSeries Apex M800 claims to be the first of its kind. Instead of the usual all-around use keyboard, or MMO keyboard, the M800 is an FPS keyboard, and features some specific elements to make it appeal to the gamers who like to get their pew pew on. But is it actually any different to the usual gaming peripheral?
As one of the more prominent peripherals that you will use in your day, the keyboard sits front and center on most people’s desks. That means it has to at least look somewhat interesting. The Apex M800 goes above and beyond in this regard. Like most gaming keyboards, it is black and rather large, but not ridiculously so – it fits nicely on my desk without requiring me to move everything around to make room. Plus, with two USB ports in the keyboard itself, you won’t need to use a port expander to use this keyboard while still using your other usual USB devices.
As usual for SteelSeries, the keyboard can be fully customized in its lighting. I managed to match my resting keyboard colors to the lighting scheme on my headset using SteelSeries Engine 3. It’s a bit silly to think about how much time I spent fiddling with the colors, but it really was rather fun to play with. Customization options even let you turn your keyboard into a flag, or a warp sequence. Again, it’s silly, but I actually like that the keys change colors when I type – it’s not that I need to look back and see which keys I hit the most, but it was strangely cool to look down and watch the keys fade back to the resting color.
The Apex M800 has a rather large space bar, handy for those who touch type and maybe don’t always have their thumbs in the right places. Plus, for those who hit the space with either thumb (I hear rumour of your kind although I’ve never met you) it is comfortable and easy to reach.
The mechanical keyboard is extremely satisfying, offering that unique clack that so many people know and love. However, this mechanical keyboard is still extremely sensitive. For those who are used to membrane keyboards, or who type with a relatively light touch, this shouldn’t pose a problem. However, if you happen to slam your keys when you type, you might notice that the keyboard picks up more keystrokes than you were hoping for. I found that I adapted to the keyboard rather quickly, using it for all my typing needs (which are plentiful) with minimal typos after the first day or so. Some people may find it takes longer to adapt to, though, as it really is a unique blend of mechanical and sensitive.
As usual in gaming keyboards, the M800 includes a bunch of programmable macros, as well as the ability to customize each key. In fact, the M800 can also detect if you’re playing CS:GO as compared to Minecraft, and shift your Macros accordingly. Thanks to the improved sensitivity in the keyboard mentioned above, it certainly can help in FPS gaming where millisecond response times can be the difference between life and death. The same could also be argued for MOBA skill shots and other timed actions in games.
The price point is a rather high, especially if you’re primarily buying this for your FPS gaming and struggle with the sensitivity for normal typing. However, it does feel incredibly high quality and will probably last you even though the most frustrated button mashing sessions.
Specifications
- Illumination Colours: 16.8 million
- Macro keys: 6
- Anti-Ghosting: Zero, 256 keys at same time
- Multimedia controls: One touch function keys
- Switches: QS1, 3mm Throw, 1.5mm
- Programmable keys: All keys, 256
- USB Cable: 2m Braided
- Weight: 1.4 kg
- Width: 510 mm
- Height: 175 mm
- Depth: 40 mm
- RRP: R2 999
Last Updated: September 3, 2015
SteelSeries Apex M800 | |
High quality keyboard with plenty of customization, but it is built primarily for FPS gamers and has the high sensitivity to match. As such, unless you primarily play CS:GO or other first person shooters on PC, it probably isn't worth the high price point.
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SteelSeries Apex M800 was reviewed on PC |
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 3, 2015 at 14:46
R3k? Um…. no thanks. If it wasn’t “for gamers” it would be half that price.
Geoffrey Tim
September 3, 2015 at 14:47
This is my feeling. A good mechanical KB costs R1k-R1.5K.R3K for a MEHchanical KB is ludicrous.
Corrie
September 3, 2015 at 14:50
Rather would pick up a Blackwidow Chroma or K70
VampyreSquirrel
September 3, 2015 at 14:48
R3k for a keyboard? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA NO
Admiral Chief Returns
September 3, 2015 at 14:51
So sensitive, you just touch it and it cries
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
September 3, 2015 at 14:53
Kojima sensitive….
RinceThis
September 3, 2015 at 14:54
Or, like Umar, you just say ‘Last Guardian’ and he cries?
Admiral Chief Returns
September 3, 2015 at 15:01
HAHA, jip, just like that
Corrie
September 3, 2015 at 14:56
Seem’s the star rating is broken on the page, else it just me
Just wanted to also say thanks guys Firefox browsing is smooth again for me
RinceThis
September 3, 2015 at 15:03
Seems okay to me…
Corrie
September 3, 2015 at 15:17
Refreshed page still happening for me
Probably just my browser
Hammersteyn
September 3, 2015 at 15:19
YOU’RE OKAY! No wait, that doesn’t work
DragonSpirit009
September 3, 2015 at 15:04
I just like the colors… I’m so simple minded sometimes!
Dutch Matrix
September 3, 2015 at 15:10
R2999 for a keyboard? You must be shitting me. My R150.00 Genius still works fine thank you very much!
HvR
September 3, 2015 at 15:24
Difference between a R200 mouse and R1000 gaming mouse is the R200 mouse keeps working after 10 months.
MySpaceBarBroken
September 3, 2015 at 15:26
tobadthisreviewwasntaboutmiebutkeyboards
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
September 3, 2015 at 15:15
So if it’s priced at 3k, it means one of two things happened, either people are willing to pay that much for a keyboard or their market research took a trip to lala land and they ended up slapping the nearest and closest price they could find…”Hey, what if we charge them the price of a small island? Think they’ll buy it?”
Hammersteyn
September 3, 2015 at 15:19
Jip. Price will come down nicely once all the village idiots has bought one
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
September 3, 2015 at 15:24
Such a shame really…. it looks nice at least, except for that space bar that’s visible from pluto….
Hammersteyn
September 3, 2015 at 15:31
Thing is bigger than a Lunch Bar
Corrie
September 3, 2015 at 15:36
mmmmm Lunch Bar……
Hammersteyn
September 3, 2015 at 15:18
Must be a typo. 3K? For a mechanical keyboard and some lights?
MySpaceBarBroken
September 3, 2015 at 15:20
yeaalthoughmykeyboardisbustedthereisnowayinheavenorhellwillipayR3000forakeyboard.
MySpaceBarBroken
September 3, 2015 at 15:22
youguysawarethattheratioandformetisoutofthesitehalfofthisarticleisdisplayingoffthedges.andtheimagesarenotloading
Hammersteyn
September 3, 2015 at 15:23
Try Google Chrome. Wait, did I just read that?
MySpaceBarBroken
September 3, 2015 at 15:23
…
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
September 3, 2015 at 15:27
That SSSSSSPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAACCCCCCEEEEEEEEE BOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRR….
Kromas untamed
September 3, 2015 at 15:39
I have pretty much used every single brand out there and have come up with the conclusion.
If you are a gamer and want a decent product for gaming then you can only trust Logitech.
FirstShop
December 9, 2015 at 16:02
It’s great and like that the SteelSeries Apex M800 keyboard is fully customized in its lighting (16.8 million Illuminating Colours). Enjoyed the review, thanks Zoe.