The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL gaming keyboard stands out in a crowded market by offering a powerful and portable design that doesn’t sacrifice performance. Its tenkeyless (TKL) layout allows for a compact frame that’s perfect for gamers who value desk space and mobility.
The keyboard’s durable aircraft-grade aluminium chassis and double-shot PBT keycaps ensure a high-quality feel and durability. The Apex 7 TKL offers a choice of SteelSeries’ Red, Blue, or Brown mechanical switches, providing a customizable typing and gaming experience.
The built-in OLED Smart Display is a game-changer, displaying in-game stats, Discord notifications, GIFs, and custom artwork without minimizing your game.
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just starting, the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a strong contender for your gaming arsenal. We’ll take a closer look at this feature-packed keyboard to see if it lives up to the hype.
Features of SteelSeries Apex 7 tkl Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Design and Build Quality
The initial impression of the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is undeniably impressive. By removing the traditional number pad, this tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard frees up valuable desk space while still including all the necessary keys for gaming and general use.
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This sleek design is great for small setups and gamers on the go, allowing you to dominate virtual battlefields wherever you are. However, its compact size doesn’t mean it compromises on quality. The keyboard features a durable aircraft-grade aluminium frame that feels substantial even during intense keystrokes.
The matte black finish is stylish and resistant to fingerprints, while the double-shot PBT keycaps have a pleasant textured feel and grip, preventing them from becoming shiny over time. The legends on the keys are clear and easy to read, even in dimly lit environments, thanks to the vibrant per-key RGB lighting that shines through with minimal light bleed. The standout feature is the OLED Smart Display located in the top right corner.
This customizable screen can show real-time in-game statistics, Discord notifications, amusing GIFs, or even your artwork. It’s a game-changer, keeping you informed and entertained without interrupting your gameplay. However, left-handed users may find the placement of the display slightly awkward, and certain hand positions may affect its visibility.
Lastly, the detachable magnetic wristrest is worth mentioning. It is comfortable and supportive, providing the perfect amount of cushioning for long gaming sessions. The magnets securely attach it to the keyboard, yet it is easy to remove and adjust according to your preference.
Overall, the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL meets all the requirements of a top-quality keyboard. Its compact and durable design, high-quality materials, and innovative features make it an appealing choice for those who seek excellence at their fingertips. However, take into consideration the minor ergonomic issues and potential visibility problems for left-handed users regarding the OLED display.
Performance and Functionality
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is not just a sleek-looking keyboard; it also delivers exceptional performance. At the core of its capabilities are SteelSeries’ mechanical switches, which come in three options: Red, Blue, and Brown.
Each switch type caters to different preferences, offering a unique combination of tactility, sound, and actuation force. Red switches are ideal for fast-paced, competitive games, as they provide a linear, silent experience.
Blue switches offer a tactile bump and click, making them perfect for typing and a traditional mechanical keyboard feel. Brown switches strike a balance between the two, providing a subtle bump and quiet operation, suitable for both gaming and productivity.
All switches have a lifespan of 50 million keystrokes, ensuring they’ll withstand even the most intense gaming sessions. The keyboard also features RGB lighting, with per-key illumination that can be customized through the SteelSeries GG software. You can create vibrant colour schemes, dynamic effects, and reactive lighting that responds to in-game events.
If you prefer a more subtle approach, you can adjust the brightness to a soft glow. The keyboard also features dedicated media controls and a USB passthrough port, allowing you to connect additional peripherals directly to the keyboard, keeping your desk clutter-free.
The SteelSeries GG software enables you to create custom profiles, assign macros, and synchronize lighting effects with other SteelSeries peripherals, further enhancing the overall experience.
Symphony Software: Unveiling the SteelSeries keyboards GG Experience
The Apex 7 TKL can reach its maximum capabilities with the help of the SteelSeries GG software. This user-friendly program serves as a hub where you can adjust every aspect of the keyboard’s performance and customize it according to your preferences.
Gaming with a Twist: GG’s RGB lighting features offer a world of creative possibilities. Explore a variety of pre-designed effects, such as undulating waves or responsive rainbow patterns, or unleash your imagination to create a personalized lighting masterpiece. Each key can be independently illuminated, enabling the creation of intricate colour patterns or spotlighting specific areas for easy gameplay navigation.
Unlock the power of automation with GG, allowing you to become a master of macros. Capture intricate keystrokes and mouse actions, and bind them to easily accessible hotkeys for maximum efficiency while playing games. Envision performing complex weapon setups or executing special moves with just one press of a key – the potential is limitless.
Customize Your Controls: Say goodbye to the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach. With GG, you can create tailor-made profiles for different games and applications, each designed to meet your unique needs. Seamlessly switch between a typing profile with muted lighting and a dynamic, action-packed setup for your favourite first-person shooter – all with just a single click.
Expanding beyond the confines of the Apex 7 TKL, GG’s influence stretches to encompass a broader realm of SteelSeries devices. Unify your gaming arsenal, including headsets and mice, to create a cohesive system of pulsating lights and synchronized effects.
Facing the Competition: Where the Apex 7 TKL Stands
The gaming keyboard landscape is a crowded battlefield, and the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL faces some formidable contenders. Here’s a quick comparison of two popular rivals:
HyperX Alloy Origins Core: This TKL keyboard boasts HyperX’s own Red, Blue, or Aqua switches, known for their smooth actuation and vibrant RGB lighting. Its compact design and solid build quality are strong contenders, but it lacks the OLED Smart Display and dedicated media controls of the Apex 7 TKL.
Razer BlackWidow V3 TKL: This Razer offering comes equipped with Razer’s Green or Yellow switches, renowned for their distinct clicky or silent operation. Its robust construction and customizable Chroma RGB lighting are commendable, but its lack of a wrist rest and slightly higher price point might deter some.
Conclusion: Apex 7 SteelSeries keyboard
The SteelSeries Apex TKL is a top-notch compact gaming keyboard that boasts a stylish design and a robust feature set, making it an excellent choice for both gamers and creators (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Mechanical Gaming Keyboard).
Its durable aircraft aluminium construction and high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps provide a satisfying tactile experience (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Keyboard keycaps).
The keyboard offers a great degree of customization, allowing users to choose between Red Linears for rapid response times in FPS games or tactile Brown switches for a more diverse experience (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Keyboard red linear switch close up).
The OLED Smart Display is the keyboard’s crowning glory, displayable in-game statistics or personalized artwork (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Keyboard OLED Smart Display).
Although the placement of the display may be slightly inconvenient for left-handed users, and visibility may be an issue, these are minor drawbacks (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Keyboard placed from a left-handed perspective).
For those seeking a compact, feature-rich keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex TKL is well worth considering, despite its premium price point and potential visibility issues for left-handed users (Image of SteelSeries Apex TKL Keyboard price tag close up).
