Review of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard has made waves in the gaming community since its release. With its innovative features and compact design, it caters to gamers looking for both speed and performance. This review will explore its design, performance, and user experience to help you determine if it’s the right keyboard for you.
Design and Build Quality
Compact Form Factor
The Apex Pro Mini boasts a compact 60% form factor, measuring 4 x 11.5 x 1.6 inches and weighing just 2.12 pounds. This design is particularly appealing to gamers who prefer a clutter-free gaming setup. Despite its small size, the keyboard retains full-size functionality, giving users access to all necessary keys without sacrificing space.
Premium Materials
Constructed with a premium aluminum top plate, the keyboard is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable. The PBT keycaps are designed for longevity, resisting wear and tear from extended use. The detachable USB-C cable adds to the convenience, allowing for easy transport and setup.
Performance Features
OmniPoint 2.0 Adjustable HyperMagnetic Switches
One of the standout features of the Apex Pro Mini is its OmniPoint 2.0 switches. These adjustable switches allow for 40 levels of per-key actuation, ranging from 0.1mm to 4.0mm. This adaptability means you can customize the sensitivity of each key to suit your gaming style. For instance, setting WASD for light, ultra-fast movements while using deeper presses for ability keys ensures a tailored gaming experience.
Rapid Trigger and Fast Response
With a remarkable 20x faster actuation and 11x faster response time than traditional mechanical keyboards, the Apex Pro Mini delivers a competitive edge in fast-paced games. The rapid trigger feature enables dynamic activation and deactivation of keys based on travel distance, eliminating latency and enhancing reaction times.
User Experience
Ease of Use and Customization
The SteelSeries Engine software is user-friendly, allowing gamers to customize their keyboard settings easily. While some users have expressed a desire for presets to be stored directly on the keyboard, the ability to program multiple actions for a single key adds an impressive layer of functionality. Gamers can easily switch between different commands, optimizing their gameplay.
RGB Lighting
The keyboard features vibrant RGB lighting, which can be customized through the SteelSeries Engine. This feature enhances both aesthetics and functionality, allowing gamers to create dynamic lighting effects that correspond to in-game actions or personal preferences.
Gaming Performance
Ideal for Fast-Paced Gaming
For gamers who thrive on quick reaction times, the Apex Pro Mini excels. The 0.1 actuation feature is particularly beneficial for first-person shooter games like Valorant and CS2, where rapid key presses are essential for success. Feedback from users highlights the keyboard’s ability to keep up with demanding gameplay, making it a favorite for competitive gamers.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The addition of a wrist rest enhances comfort during long gaming sessions. Users have reported fewer typos and an overall better typing experience, thanks to the pronounced keys and thoughtful layout. The tactile feedback provided by the OmniPoint switches is another aspect that contributes to a satisfying user experience.
Overall Rating: 4.7/5⭐
Considering all aspects of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard, we would rate it a 4.7 out of 5.
Breakdown of Ratings:
- Design and Build Quality: 4.8
- Performance Features: 4.9
- User Experience: 4.6
- Gaming Performance: 4.8
- Value for Money: 4.5
Conclusion
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard is a remarkable product that combines innovative technology with user-centric design. Its adjustable actuation, rapid trigger, and vibrant RGB lighting make it a superior choice for gamers seeking performance and customization. While some users may wish for more onboard storage for presets, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a casual user, the Apex Pro Mini delivers a top-tier performance that is hard to match in the current market.
P-Town Cracker –
After a rogue Windows 10 update unexpectedly disabled my Gskill KM780 RGB, I quickly needed to replace it instead of suffering through my spare membrane keyboard. After a full day of research, I decided to take a chance on the Apex Pro.
Having previously used Cherry MX Browns, I was initially hesitant about the OmniPoint switches. I appreciated the tactile feedback of the Browns, and my brief experience with MX Reds didn’t impress me due to their linear nature. Although I considered sticking with the Apex 7 featuring MX Browns, I opted for the Pro version instead, half-expecting to return it. However, I was pleasantly surprised once I set it up!
First off, the switches are incredible. They’re incredibly smooth, completely eliminating the scratchiness commonly associated with linear MX switches. The keycaps feel almost as if they’re floating above the brushed aluminum base. The adjustable actuation is a standout feature, offering a true Hall Effect switch experience. You can customize the actuation from a light touch to a full bottom-out, and even adjust it on a per-key basis. There’s a lot of flexibility to explore!
The RGB lighting is another highlight—it’s simply fantastic. The raised keycaps allow the vibrant lighting to spill beautifully over the board, creating a stunning effect that even those indifferent to RGB will appreciate.
Typing on this keyboard is an experience in itself. I spent 15 minutes just typing random text to enjoy the feel. Surprisingly, I’ve noticed significantly fewer typing errors compared to my old Browns; I used to frequently experience keypress duplication, but that’s not an issue with the Omni switches. Plus, they’re much quieter than the tactile Browns due to their linear design.
There are only a few minor downsides. The Steelseries software could use improvement, and the keycaps are made of ABS instead of more durable double-shot PBT, which feel sturdier and more premium. While you could replace them with PBT caps if desired, I’m unsure how that would impact the lighting. The small B&W OLED screen in the upper right corner is somewhat trivial but adds a fun, customizable touch, offering some functions like brightness control without relying solely on the software. Additionally, only the primary keys feature Omni switches; the function keys, num pad, and extra function keys use standard linear switches, which, while decent, would have been better with Omni switches. However, I understand the cost-saving rationale behind this.
Overall, the Apex Pro is a fantastic keyboard that surpasses my old Gskill in every way. While I regret that a Windows update caused my previous board’s demise, perhaps it was meant to lead me to this gem. If you’re looking for a high-quality analog mechanical keyboard with adjustable Hall Effect switches and have the budget for it, this is the one to get. Steelseries has truly delivered a remarkable product.
Braian Henrique –
Amazing!
Ders –
This keyboard features unique actuation sensors, which limits sound customization, but it sounds great as is. The screen quality is excellent, and the lighting and colors are vibrant. I would appreciate the ability to upload presets directly to the keyboard, as it currently requires connecting to the app each time it starts up. Occasionally, the keyboard defaults back to its original settings, which is frustrating. It’s a wired keyboard, but that doesn’t bother me. I prefer the full-size layout because I need the number pad.
erick r. –
An absolutely perfect product!
Erick Arteaga Hernández –
After using it for two months, I can confidently say it’s one of the best mechanical keyboards out there (or perhaps even the best for some). It feels great to type on, the wrist rest is comfortable, and the TKL format is perfect for all types of users.
Artur –
This keyboard is simply perfect—great sound, excellent switches, and more. The only minor downside is the battery life, but aside from that, it’s the best keyboard I’ve ever used.
DrBlac0 –
I recently upgraded from my Logitech G915 to this new keyboard, and I have to say it was a great decision. This keyboard offers a plethora of features compared to the G915. As a gamer, I’m still exploring all the new capabilities it has for my gaming experience—beyond just using it to gain an edge in FPS games. The lighting is impressive; my previous keyboard had backlighting, but it was quite dim. This one is much more vibrant and impactful. Additionally, it lights up secondary key functions, which my old keyboard did not.
The layout is comfortable for my hands, and the G915’s low-profile design was a letdown, especially without a wrist rest. This keyboard comes with a wrist rest, which is a definite plus. I’ve also noticed a significant reduction in typos; the keys are well-defined and easy to locate without taking my eyes off the screen. The small LED screen in the corner is a nice touch too. I’ve seen some people dismiss it as useless, but you can create your own apps for it, which is a fun feature.
There are some issues, though: the SteelSeries software can be glitchy at times, with the lighting occasionally shutting off and then coming back on. However, I’ve noticed the company is actively releasing patches and updates, so it’s manageable. While the wrist rest is great, it does attract pet hair, which is a bit annoying. I’ve had to keep a lint roller nearby since cat hair seems to cling to it after I pet my cats.
Overall, it’s an expensive keyboard, but you truly get what you pay for. SteelSeries is clearly outperforming Logitech in the realm of gaming peripherals, much like AMD is doing to Intel.
nessrien –
THIS KEYBOARD IS INCREDIBLE! With the 0.1 actuation feature available through the SteelSeries app on your PC, it’s a game-changer for fast-paced FPS titles like Valorant and CS2. It’s also fantastic for games that require quick reflexes and frequent key presses, such as Fortnite. The 0.1 actuation switches respond with just the slightest touch, making it feel like the keyboard anticipates your actions. For games like OSU, where rapid pressing is essential, the keyboard’s rapid trigger feature is a lifesaver. I absolutely love it, and I’m confident you will too. This is the best keyboard I’ve ever owned, and I don’t foresee needing to replace it anytime soon. Plus, it offers excellent value for the price!
erick r. –
This keyboard is absolutely amazing; without a doubt, it’s the best one out there to date. I replaced the keys with green ones because they look fantastic!