SteelSeries renews its Apex Pro range with a third generation full of promises. On the program: new switches that provide new features and a significant improvement in the typing experience.
The keyboard gamer wired SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) represents the top of the range from the Danish manufacturer. Renowned for its adjustable magnetic switches, the Apex Pro series has been a fixture on gamers’ desks for many years now.
With this third generation, SteelSeries is evolving its OmniPoint switches by providing them with certain features already present in the competition, such as Rapid Tap. This feature allows priority to be given to the last keystroke, even if other keys are pressed. This new model also introduces a protection mode, supposed to prevent involuntary keystrokes on adjacent keys.
In addition to the usual features such as Rapid Trigger or dual activation, SteelSeries has done extensive work on the typing experience. Like many high-end keyboards today, say hello to acoustic foam, reworked stabilizers, and factory switch lubrication.
Although the design does not change, the Gen 3 is entitled to a slight price increase of around 30 euros. The TKL wired version that we are testing is available at the recommended price of 240 euros, compared to 290 euros for its wireless version. The keyboard is also available in a full-format wired version for 260 euros.
Sobriety as a key word
SteelSeries has not changed the design of its Apex Pro range with the arrival of this third generation. Is this a problem? Not really. We still find this distinction between the TKL and full-frame models, the latter retaining the curves of the very first generation. In the TKL version, the Apex Pro is more sensible, straighter and in a certain way, less original.
Dressed all in black, the third generation Apex Pro TKL is built around a plastic chassis. Presenting a clear drop at mid-height which sometimes gives it the impression of floating above the desk, this chassis is topped by a metal plate, also entirely black. This plate, on which the OmniPoint 3.0 switches are installed, is literally inlaid into the chassis and thus offers a little more character to the whole.
However, this prominence of the plastic and its relative lightness give a slightly less premium feel to the keyboard if we compare it to other competing models. The construction quality nevertheless remains there and the Apex Pro TKL remains a particularly successful keyboard in terms of design. The chassis also extends naturally with a magnetic wrist rest, which would nevertheless have benefited from being a little more padded to be truly comfortable over time.
A true symbol of the Apex range, the OLED screen still sits proudly at the top right of the keyboard. It comes with a very compact click wheel which controls the system volume and also allows you to navigate the keyboard interface. An additional button is also present to act on the functionalities accessible from the display. These are the only appendages integrated into the Apex Pro TKL, which otherwise sports a classic, no-frills TKL format.
The switches are logically installed directly on the metal plate. However, these are not hot swappable. They benefit from integrated key-by-key RGB lighting and are overlooked by keycaps in PBT. As with many competitors, some of the symbols are not cut out on these keys, but simply printed. In fact, they do not benefit from RGB lighting and will be more difficult to see when the brightness is lacking. Damage.
In order to perfect its ergonomics, the Apex Pro TKL has retractable feet offering two distinct angles. The lower part of the chassis also houses a little surprise in the presence of a flexible “hatch”, which houses a keycap extraction tool. Quite an astonishing proposition from SteelSeries, but why not…
Being a wired model, our test copy connects to the computer using its single USB C port and the braided cable that comes with it. However, we regret the absence of a USB port pastroughwhich is always an interesting plus on a wired model. Another little oddity: the removal of the three upper keys from the right area of the keyboard. It is therefore impossible to access the screenshot functionality.
An improved typing experience
Apart from its new features which we will come back to later, the Apex Pro takes a leap forward in the quality of its typing. SteelSeries has done a great job improving the feeling OmniPoint switches, always linear.
Like many of the new features mentioned in this test, SteelSeries is mainly keeping up to date by equipping its keyboard with lubricated switches, new stabilizers and several layers of insulation. A winning cocktail that makes the keyboard much more pleasant to use. The travel of the switches is thus much more fluid and the keyboard is closer to the very satisfying “clack clack” of keyboards. customs.
On the other hand, the Danish manufacturer is careful not to communicate on the technical characteristics of its new switches. In use, these are indeed very fluid and rather light switches. By this, mean that only minimal force is required to initiate their descent. The activation point then depends on the settings chosen, but is positioned by default at 1.8 mm.
In this default configuration, the actions follow each other without difficulty. Without really revolutionizing things, these OmniPoint 3.0 switches provide a really pleasant typing experience in their standard configuration. Obviously, the overall performance of the keyboard is strongly affected by the numerous settings available. THE Rapid Trigger or the double activation that we discuss a little later in this test can increase the performance of the Apex Pro tenfold.
Switches that always do more
The third-generation Apex Pro represents the best from SteelSeries. In this way, it therefore benefits from the brand’s latest technologies intrinsically linked to OmniPoint 3.0 switches. Their configuration takes place as always within the SteelSeries GG driver and more particularly in the Engine menu.
Let’s quickly move on to the reassignment of keys, quite classic. The entire keys can be logically reassigned with numerous functions ranging from keyboard keys to system shortcuts and macros. So far, nothing new under the sun. It is also possible to assign a second functionality to all the keys via the use of the “Meta” key, comparable to the traditional “Fn” key found on many keyboards. The OLED screen retains its historic customization, with the possibility of loading a personalized image.
With its adjustable mechanical switches (from 0.1 to 4 mm), the Apex Pro takes advantage of the most popular features of the moment: Rapid Trigger (quick activation) and double activation. Since the switches are capable of tracking their position in real time, it is thus possible to reset them to a height different from their activation point. In this way, we can chain actions at a much higher frequency since it is not necessary to completely release the key. THE Rapid Trigger can be activated key by key, with a different sensitivity for each of them and is limited to the 62 keys of the typing zone.
Double activation allows you to assign two distinct actions to the same key. For example, by positioning a first activation point at 0.5 mm and a second at 1 mm, the gameplay takes on a whole new dimension. In particular, we imagine unpinning a grenade at the first level and actually throwing it only when the second is reached. The possibilities are endless and adjustable according to your desires. To do this, simply assign a second functionality to the selected key, then activate double activation on the latter. In total, only eight keys can be configured this way.
This third generation is at the level of its competitors and marks the arrival of Rapid Tap equivalent of Snap Tap from Razer. This feature solves the problem of Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions (SOCD), inherited from the world of arcades. This corresponds to the decision the keyboard must make when two directional keys are pressed simultaneously. The configuration is simple: five pairs of keys can be created, for each of them, the user can choose the behavior: does one take precedence over the other, does the last keystroke take the step on the previous one, or does nothing happen. The objective is simple: optimize movements on competitive titles and provide much greater responsiveness, particularly on lateral movements. Let’s be clear, such a feature is primarily aimed at competitive players.
Finally, note the arrival of Protection Mode, which can be activated individually on each key and which reduces the sensitivity of the latter if adjacent keys are pressed. This is to avoid involuntary activations in the heat of the moment. For my part, I didn’t really feel any difference when this feature was activated.
Finally, SteelSeries has implemented a new feature called Quickset. Behind this name lies in fact a new implementation of the profiles that we have known for years. The idea is to offer very comprehensive presets that take advantage of all the possibilities of OmniPoint switches. Above all, certain games benefit from profiles established from those of professional players. Nothing revolutionary here, but rather a notable time saving during the first configuration.
Note also that certain parameters such as sensitivity or functionality Rapid Trigger can be adjusted directly from the keyboard. The OLED screen also provides access to a summary of the different settings applied to the keyboard.
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) keyboard pricing and availability
The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (Gen 3) keyboard is available at the recommended price of 240 euros. Its wireless version is offered at a price of 290 euros.
The Gen 3 is also available in full wired format, for a price of 260 euros.
