Steelseries apex pro review in Spanish (full analysis)

SteelSeries is one of the most popular brands in the gaming world and its peripherals. Their Gateron switches are a brand of the house and this time they have been encouraged to go one step further with the SteelSeries Apex Pro, a keyboard with switches with Omnipoint technology that promise to allow us to adjust the switch activation point to our whim. Let's see it!

SteelSeries is a Danish gaming peripherals and accessories company that competes at the top with big brands like Logitech, Corsair and Razer in a constant battle to bring the best performing peripherals to market.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Unboxing

We start as always with the question of packaging, which is that you already know what we like to open boxes. The SteelSeries Apex Pro comes to us presented with a sliding case-like cover containing a cardboard box as a chest.

On the cover of the case we receive the image, brand and model of the product. The seal of adjustable mechanical switches with Omnipoint technology immediately stands out. We can also appreciate that the keyboard's multiplatform capacity stands out, indicating that it is compatible for PC, Mac, Xbox One and PS4. Finally, the detail of the Oled smart screen could not be missing for warnings during games, Discord messages or music playback, among other aspects.

On the sides of the cover we get some promotion. Not for nothing SteelSeries is the brand whose products have won the most awards in professional eSports championships. All this is accompanied by technical details of the keyboard that we have broken down previously in its characteristics table.

On the back of the box, for its part, we have an overhead view of the keyboard and its palm rest. Additionally, we can read in various languages detailed information on the operation of the Omnipoint switches, among other aspects:

• Omnipoint switches that can be calibrated between 0.4 and 3.6 mm. Aeronautical aluminum chassis. Premium quality magnetic wrist rest. Dedicated multimedia controls. Integrated USB Type-A port. Five local memory profiles. RGB lighting by key. 100% anti-ghosting.

Omnipoint technology is a patented SteelSeries novelty that gets on the bandwagon to squeeze the full potential of our keyboard. These switches promise five times faster performance and eight times less response time as well as twice the estimated durability. All this is taking as reference the Cherry MX Red and Speed ​​switches.

We will further develop our impressions of these aspects in the "Switches" section of this review.

The contents of the box can therefore be summarized as:

• SteelSeries Apex Pro Keyboard Magnetic Wrist Rest Quick Start Guide

SteelSeries Apex Pro Design

The Keyboard with which SteelSeries has set out to break the corduroy is a 100% complete gaming model. Its switches are visible in its structure and the first impression it makes when removing it from its packaging is to be in front of a great quality product.

Frame

Starting at the bottom, the SteelSeries Apex Pro chassis is made from an aluminum alloy like that used in aircraft fuselage. This material has been used only on the top cover while the back of the keyboard is plastic. The aluminum is not brushed, it features a slightly pearly matte black finish less intense than the color of the keys.

As an annotation, it should be noted that in the case of a 100% keyboard, the presentation of it is very collected as it tries to reduce the external margins to a minimum, thus trying to minimize the space that the SteelSeries Apex Pro occupies on our desktop. We on a personal level are advocates of TKL keyboards and we have really appreciated that effort to adjust the margins.

The edges and corners of the SteelSeries Apex Pro are rounded and smooth. In its upper right area we can see the Oled screen along with a dedicated volume wheel and control switch. These elements are discreetly located in the empty space on the numeric keypad.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro features a pair of single-position but robust and highly robust rear temples. Both are covered with non-slip rubber at the base to save us trouble.

Turning the keyboard over we observe the completion of the Oled screen and volume wheel as well as the USB type A port integrated in the keyboard to give us that little extra and make life more pleasant.

At both ends there are observable depressions for the keyboard cable, which is also located in the central area. Discreetly in the rear area we also find the SteelSeries logo stamped in white, as well as being visible in black in the lower front area.

Moving to the back of the SteelSeries Apex Pro we can see the three alternative exit streets that are offered to us to route our cable to the computer or console. Also noteworthy are its three non-slip rubbers located in the front area of ​​the keyboard.

In its center we can see the logo, brand and model of the keyboard as well as serial number and additional manufacturer information. All this is framed by the cable streets, which have clips that protrude from the plastic structure to optimize its grip.

As we mentioned previously, the temples are an aspect that we liked a lot. It is generally common to find thin and light models that tend to give us a feeling of fragility, but in this model (and the whole keyboard as a whole) it strives to make us see that the SteelSeries Apex Pro is a strong keyboard and made to last.

Wrist rest

The palm rests are a scarce commodity to be included and a whim for many. However, on a personal level, we find that the one included in the SteelSeries Apex Pro is a practical and subtle complement that can enchant even the most skeptical of its use.

When we spend whole days pounding buttons we often don't realize what a simple lift of our wrists can do to our hands. The model included in the SteelSeries Apex Pro is not very high, but the keyboard does have a certain height with the arms extended and that is why we will appreciate its use.

This wrist rest is soft, being covered by a non-slip matte rubber that is very pleasant to the touch and offers some resistance to slipping due to sweat.

At its center we find the SteelSeries logo screen printed with a light reflective black finish. On the surface of the keyboard we do not find the brand's logo in a visible way other than on its base, so this is where it takes center stage without showing off for it.

Our palm rest has nothing more or nothing less than a total of eight non-slip rubber bases so when we tell you that unless you do it on purpose this accessory will not move, let's seriously.

To enhance this perception, the SteelSeries Apex Pro's wrist rest has two magnetized connectors to magnetically attach them to the keyboard. This, together with the aluminum cover sliding forward on the front, guarantees a spectacular keyboard fixation that is tested against the most heated outbursts of anger, 10/10.

Switches

We are going to get technical with the switches, because although the keyboard can get into our eyes in terms of design or how spectacular its lights look, you know how this works: RGB lighting does not give us more FPS or make us better players. Nor do we want to tell you that Omnipoint switches are a panacea, but the questions they offer are quite interesting to discuss in depth.

Let's be honest: in the world of switches everyone compares to Cherry MX. The brand has become the banner of mechanical switches and its long history makes it worthy of all honors. Now, what is special about Omnipoint switches? This linear mechanical switch has the peculiarity that it can be adjusted by software to make its actuation point lower than that of models such as the Cherry MX Red or the Speed.

Its activation range can vary from 3.6 mm to only 0.4 mm while the response time of the keys (the famous debounce time) to be activated again is only 0.7 milliseconds.

The most fanatical users will be able to appreciate here the potential of a keyboard that fast. Being jumpy takes on a new meaning here, although not everything is going to be a journey of roses. Those of you who don't use your keyboards solely to humiliate staff in CS: GO may find this hypersensitivity somewhat annoying when it comes to typing. An accidental touch, however slight, can activate the neighboring keys and drive the most seasoned typists to madness, so keep that in mind.

In the case of the SteelSeries Apex Pro the keys that have adjustable Omnipoint technology are the 61 basic ones of the QWERT or AZERTY keyboards (characters, punctuation marks and typing controls). All the others do not have software calibration options and are therefore in their predefined activation.

The wire

We continue our review going on to talk about cable, and believe us when we tell you that it is going to be a while. If you like cables so finite that they are discreet… we already tell you that the SteelSeries Apex Pro is not for you. This bug is made to last, resistant to pulls, dog bites and we would even bet that an electric saw. The last survivor could use it as a zip line and would not flinch.

With a rubber coating that reaches a thickness of 7 millimeters, if you are looking for resistance, you have come to the right place. However, its negative aspect is that given its thickness it is not very flexible and not very comfortable to handle.

This cable has a length of 180 mm and as we explained in the previous category on the frame, it is not removable but its keyboard output can be placed in three positions: central, right and left. The chassis has guides at its base to hide its initial exit point and at the end we receive a division with two USB type A connections.

Both ports have a slightly thinner rubber coating than the main cable, but no less robust. Each USB has a bas-relief engraved with an icon that explains its usefulness. The model that we identify only with the USB icon serves to activate the port integrated in the left rear of our SteelSeries Apex Pro, while the one that has the screen printing on the keyboard is the one that powers it.

Putting the SteelSeries Apex Pro into use

It is time to give a little grilled with the impressions of the SteelSeries Apex Pro during use, so let's go there. In our case, the model that has fallen into our hands has an American key layout and at the moment a Spanish version of it is not available on the market, although we consider that it is only a matter of time.

As soon as you connect it, we have a show of lights that you know we love, but we also receive a notice on the Oled screen to let us know that if we want to use its many virtues, a firmware update is necessary. In other words, we need to download the SteelSeries Engine software .

Initially and without changing the parameters of the switches, they feel very agile, with a light and light touch that we immediately relate to the Cherry MX Speed ​​Silver. The linear pulsations feel very short and if we set the activation time to a minimum we don't even speak. However, we tell you that although to play the thing is noticeable and a lot, to write it is not so cool the fact of activating accidental keys because the tips of our fingers have not fallen into the exact center of the key and some other symbol slips in unintentionally.

The click produced by the Omnipoint switches on the SteelSeries Apex Pro is dry, slightly low, and low-pitched for a mechanical keyboard. We usually work with the Razer Chroma Tournament Edition V2 with yellow switches and the comparative loudness is more pleasant and discreet on the Apex Pro.

illumination

Since we are talking about switches we cannot avoid mentioning the keycaps and their relevance in the RGB backlight. SteelSeries brings us double injection ABS buttons with thick typography for excellent readability. The backlight LED sits just above the switch, not underneath like traditional Cherry MXs. This gives the characters a much more vivid and vibrant color, which together with the size of the typography gives a special energy to the keyboard.

As we have mentioned in the previous section, the SteelSeries Apex Pro is a keyboard with a very intense maximum luminosity that is given by two factors: the size of its typography and the position of the LEDs, which are integrated in the switches and not under them.

software

You cannot analyze the SteelSeries Apex Pro without talking about its software. The SteelSeries Engine is a configuration program that is already in its third version and follows the steps set out in depth by software such as Razer Central or iCUE from Corsair.

When we install and update it for the first time, our team will recognize the SteelSeries Apex Pro immediately. Already in the first panel we can switch between the five configurations for local memory profiles once customized.

Clicking on our keyboard displays a menu of options that consists of four main categories:

• Key assignment: here we can add or create specific functions to keyboard buttons as well as macros. Actuation: it is the section where we can establish the desired action point of our keyboard within the 68 available keys. This can be done individually, collectively or in sections. Illumination - Sets intensity, direction, speed, and color of RGB backlight patterns. OLED and configuration: it allows us to edit the image visible within the OLED screen following certain parameters and the region of our keyboard.

Once the software has been updated, the Oled screen is ready for use. Pressing the button located under the volume scroll, a list of options will appear through which we can move and then click through the volume button and then calibrate to taste:

• Lighting: This brings us to three subcategories: Default, Custom, and Bright Macros: Leads to option to record on the fly or delete. Actuation: establishes the necessary force to use the keys with Omnipoint technology. Its calibration varies with a total of 10 points. Profiles: navigates among the five customizable profiles of local memory Configuration: directs us to a submenu with the sections Display, About SteelSeries and Restore factory settings.

The additional functions that may be reflected on our Oled keyboard screen depend on the applications in use and its configuration. For this we must enter the SteelSeries Engine Applications category and within the configuration that we want to add (for example, Discord), two tabs will be revealed:

1. Illumination: Sets the light patterns displayed on keys for notifications. Screen: Show notifications on the Oled screen.

There are specific configurations that we can find in the catalog of Apps for games like CS: GO, Dota 2 and even Minecraft. This list is editable by collaborating users to add additional proposals for games and applications.

Final words and conclusions about SteelSeries Apex Pro

There's a lot to assimilate with a keyboard like the SteelSeries Apex Pro. Omnipoint switches are certainly a welcome surprise, presenting the potential to add that extra to more experienced players, but it's also true that it may not be such an obvious advantage for gamers. fans who match the game with writing. The minimum activation distance of these switches can be really confusing and it certainly shows when compared to linear switches from other brands. However, this overwhelming sensitivity brings as a setback the possibility of unintentionally activating buttons that we have barely touched, which does not make the SteelSeries Apex Pro a keyboard poorly suited for typing.

Warning this is probably round since the keyboard itself is offered as a 100% gaming model, but we like to point out this type of thing because we have not yet found a user who uses their keyboard exclusively to play.

Another aspect to point out is its price. The SteelSeries Apex Pro is sold on its official website for € 229.99. It is not currently available in Spanish, although it is a matter of time. A keyboard of this caliber would not cost less than 100 euros, of course, but we understand that for many people, overcoming the € 200 barrier is somewhat prohibitive. Nor should we forget that this SteelSeries model is mainly intended for competition, which is why its switches and the software that surrounds it as well as the quality of its materials generate this price increase.

We recommend reading: Best keyboards on the market.

Aspects that we have valued very positively are its aluminum cover, switches and typography chosen for the keycaps. The Oled screen is an interesting complement, although not indispensable. The potential is there and it is up to the user to take a look at the possibilities it can offer. The lighting of the SteelSeries Apex Pro already seemed like ten, both for its LEDs integrated on the switch to gain intensity and the options offered by the software. The availability of the palm rest as well as how collected and solid the keyboard is are other issues that have been very satisfactory for us to use both in terms of comfort and space.

We liked a little less everything around the cable. While integrating a USB port within the SteelSeries Apex Pro itself is an issue that is certainly appreciated, there are issues around connectivity that we haven't enjoyed as much. Being a high-performance keyboard (and budget) It is surprising that the cable coating is not braided or that it cannot be removed to facilitate its transport. The thickness of the rubber, while resistant, makes its flexibility limited outside of the hidden position options under the keyboard. We like the feeling that we do not have to go with a thousand eyes with our SteelSeries Apex Pro and that it is not delicate as a flower, but aesthetically it does not seem the best option.

In short, the SteelSeries Apex Pro does not disappoint and tries to give us the maximum performance although it is already known: quality has to be paid for.

Removing the issue of the cable is a keyboard model that has convinced us. The Omnipoint switches have also led us to think about the possibilities of a TKL version of this model, which would probably be an ideal option for a Tournament Edition of those that we like so much. And you, how do you see it?

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
PERFECT OMNIPOINT SWITCHES TO PLAY	THE CABLE IS SO BEAUTIFUL
ALUMINUM COATING, EXCELLENT FINISHES	ITS PRICE IS SO MUCH HIGH
SPECTACULAR DESIGN

The Professional Review team awards you the Platinum Medal:

SteelSeries Apex Pro

DESIGN - 95%

MATERIALS AND FINISHES - 95%

OPERATION - 90%

SOFTWARE - 85%

PRICE - 80%

89%