There are few peripherals more important than the gaming keyboard for your setup. A gaming keyboard can make or break your setup; nothing is worse than a bad one. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gaming Keyboard is phenomenal but it is very pricey. While the keyboard would be a great add-on to any setup, It’s important to do your due diligence when spending that kind of money. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a hobbyist, here are some questions you should ask before buying the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gaming Keyboard.
©Top down view of the apex pro keyboard. – License
Are There Any Advantages?
With the whopping price tag of $199, it would be nice if the keyboard had some advantages over other keyboards. When shopping for a keyboard you should make sure to ask if there are any advantages to that specific model and if so are there any cheaper keyboards with the same features. The Apex Pro has rapid trigger functionality. This drastically reduces the latency from the moment a key is pressed to seeing the intended action. The keyboard also allows for ultimate control where you can set certain keys to require deeper presses before triggering action. This, in theory, should completely remove misclicks from your keyboard.
Is The Keyboard Durable?
PC gaming can get very competitive and it’s important to have a keyboard that can withstand long sessions and the well-placed rage quit. Sometimes it can be hard to find durability information on a product but it shouldn’t be forgotten about. The Apex Pro Keyboard is known for its durability with its aluminum frame and SteelSeries’ Omnipoint switches, which are built for durability.
Does The Keyboard Offer Any Additional Programmable Keys?
Modern gaming keyboards tend to come with the ability to program macros for gaming or productivity. These macros can completely change how you interact with a game, so much so that some macros can get you banned from your favorite games. However, many gamers would rather have the option and not need it so it’s important to ask if this feature is offered. The Apex Pro has 2-IN-1 action keys. This allows for two different actions to be programmed to the same key. This isn’t the same as macros but offers a similar advantage.
Is The Keyboard Compatible With Your Preferred Gaming Platform?
In this generation, more and more console players are opting to play their console games with a mouse and keyboard. If you are one of these console gamers who want the best of the best to gain an edge in their gaming then it might be worth making sure your keyboard can be used on your platform of choice. It is guaranteed that you’ll be able to use your keyboard of choice on the console but it is not guaranteed that all of the extra features will work. Apex Pro’s 2-IN-1 action keys and rapid trigger functionality might require specific PC drivers to work. If you aren’t willing to take the risk then maybe you should explore cheaper options if you’re primarily a console gamer.
How Comfortable Is The Keyboard For Extended Gaming Sessions?
This is the perfect follow-up question to durability. Even if you prefer to play calmer, more casual experiences it is important to make sure you can do so comfortably. The Apex Pro keyboard is built for comfort with its height-adjustable tilt legs and magnetic wrist rest. The height-adjustable tilt legs have three ergonomic options: flat, half, and full extension. The magnetic wrist rest is perfect because its magnetic nature makes it easy to remove. If you have another wrist rest that you prefer then you’d still be able to use it.
Customization Options?
It is important to make sure you’re aware of your customization options. Some people love RGB lighting and easily customizable switches on a keyboard while others are more traditionalist. The Apex Pro keyboard allows for in-depth customization of the RGB lighting through the SteelSeries Engine. The SteelSeries Engine is where you’ll customize other aspects of the keyboard as well. This keyboard also has a customizable OLED smart display. This allows you to adjust settings, change profiles, and see updates on the fly.
What Mechanical Switches Does The Keyboard Feature?
Not all mechanical keyboards are created equal. Depending on the mechanical switches used you can get an entirely different sound and feel. If you prefer a certain type of switch it is important to ask if the keyboard you’re interested in features those switches. If they don’t, it is best to check if the switches are easily swapped. The Apex Pro keyboard uses the OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable hypermagnetic switches, allowing for the advantages noted above. If you prefer to swap switches, you can do so with the Apex Pro.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©promo picture of the Apex Pro Keyboard in black..