Verdict

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is one of the best TKL keyboard we’ve used to date, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that it was a runner up for our Zero1 2021 greatest mechanical keyboard. It’s feature-rich and the one factor it’s lacking is a numpad, however since it is a TKL keyboard, that’s the entire level. The one grievance we’ve about it’s that it’s loud, so for those who’re out there for a TKL mechanical keyboard and don’t thoughts it being loud and costing INR 11,999, then go for the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL.

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL detailed assessment

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a part of SteelSeries’ new lineup of mechanical gaming keyboards, together with the SteelSeries Apex Professional and the Apex 7. Because the identify suggests, that is the TKL or Tenkeyless variant. At a look, it is a very premium trying keyboard, with a smooth and fashionable design, and a sturdy aluminium body. After all, let’s not neglect the OLED display screen on the highest proper of the keyboard, which additionally stands out. With all that being stated, let’s leap into the assessment and see how the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL fares and whether or not you should purchase it.

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Specs at a look

Prime Materials: Plane Grade Aluminium Alloy Body
N-Key RollOver: 84-Key Anti-Ghosting
Dynamic Per Key RGB Illumination
Weight: 771g
Dimensions: 355.44 x 139.26 x 40.44mm
SteelSeries QX2 Mechanical RGB Change
Change Actuation: 2 mm
Whole Journey: 4 mm
Pressure: 45cN
Lifetime: 50 Million Keypresses

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Construct and design

Like we talked about earlier, that is the TKL variant of the Apex 7. This principally implies that there’s no numpad included. Now, whereas the dearth of a numpad can take some getting used to, there are a number of advantages to it as properly. For starters, TKL keyboards are likely to take up much less actual property on a desktop; extra room is at all times good. Moreover, there may be some profit to having your fingers nearer collectively whereas gaming, as lowering the space between your keyboard and mouse has proven to assist players carry out higher over longer intervals of time. There’s additionally the plain advantage of the keyboard costing much less. Nonetheless, there are advantages to having a numpad as properly, so taking your preferences into consideration, you would possibly favor the SteelSeries Apex Professional or Apex 7 over the Apex 7 TKL.

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL has a really premium appear and feel to it. The highest plate of the keyboard’s physique is made out of plane grade aluminium, which is each light-weight and durable. The underside plate is made out of arduous plastic, and comes with a number of grooves for cable administration, which is good. The Apex 7 TKL makes use of doubleshot PBT keycaps, so that you shouldn’t have to fret concerning the legends carrying out anytime quickly. On the highest proper of the keyboard, you’ve obtained a clickable scroll wheel, which acts as the amount controls. Scroll up or down to regulate the amount, and click on to mute. You’ve obtained a single button proper below the scroll wheel, which acts as a play pause button. Moreover, each the scroll wheel and the media button can be utilized to navigate the 128×40 OLED display screen that’s current simply to the left of them. This display screen by default shows the SteelSeries brand, however might be customised and used to do much more, which we’ll get to within the options part.

You’ve additionally obtained a single USB passthrough behind the left facet of the keyboard, illuminated by a white gentle that will help you truly find the port, which is fairly handy.

The Apex 7 TKL comes with its personal magnetic wrist relaxation, which has a rubbery coating, so you will not have points with grip. It’s additionally at a reasonably comfy peak, however you at all times have the choice to go with out. The wrist relaxation traces up properly with the keyboard, and attaches magnetically. The magnet is powerful sufficient that it clicks in place, but it surely’s not too safe; choose the keyboard up and it’ll come aside.

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Options

Subsequent we come to the options. Beginning with the important thing switches, the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL comes with QX2 mechanical RGB switches, which aren’t too completely different from Cherry MX switches; your total expertise shouldn’t be too completely different. We’ve talked about earlier than that many outstanding manufacturers are popping out with their very own swap variants over Cherry MX, the QX2 are one such variation. The Apex 7 TKL unit that we obtained for assessment got here with QX2 Reds, which is the linear and quiet swap. Along with Crimson, you even have Blue switches that are clicky and tactile, and Brown switches that are tactile and quiet. There’s no distinction between the three in relation to actuation drive and journey distance, with all of them having 45cN of actuation drive, 2 mm of actuation journey distance and 4 mm whole journey distance.

The keyboard comes with per-key RGB Illumination, which might be customised utilizing the companion software program, SteelSeries Engine. That is additionally the place you’ll customise the OLED display screen as properly. Every of the keys on the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is reprogrammable to no matter you need, so there’s loads of customisation that may be carried out as per your preferences.

Coming to the OLED display screen itself, like we talked about above, by default you’ve obtained the SteelSeries brand on it, nonetheless you possibly can customise it to your liking, and even have gifs working on it whereas idle. By means of SteelSeries Engine, there are a bunch of preset issues you possibly can have working on the OLED display screen, together with system statistics like CPU or RAM utilization, temperature and extra. Moreover, sure video games are additionally appropriate with the OLED display screen, permitting you to show sure statistics on them, nonetheless, this will likely or is probably not useful contemplating most individuals aren’t going to look away from the sport to take a look at the OLED display screen.

We talked about earlier how the amount scroll wheel and media button might be used to navigate the OLED display screen. With no need to enter the software program or settings, issues might be tweaked instantly on the keyboard itself, which is fairly useful. Merely holding down the media button for a couple of seconds will present 4 settings on the show, that are Illumination, Macros, Profile, and Settings. All of that are fairly self explanatory. Right here, you possibly can cycle by plenty of lighting choices, together with preset and customized lighting. Regulate brightness, create or delete macros, and swap between and create profiles. With the ability to do all of that while not having to open up the software program, even if you’re in the midst of one thing is fairly handy.

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Efficiency

We had no complaints when utilizing the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL. The dearth of a numpad can take some getting used to, however the total expertise is sort of nice, each in relation to gaming and typing. We discovered the keys to be responsive and the keyboard to be comfy, even after lengthy gaming periods. Typing was additionally gratifying on the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL, nonetheless, the expertise could range as folks have completely different swap preferences.

We personally favor pink keys for his or her silence, nonetheless, we’ve discovered that the QX2 switches are fairly loud regardless of that. This has extra to do with the keycaps bottoming out than the switches itself. Principally, the sound is brought on by the roof half of the keycaps hitting the highest of the swap base. If that is one thing that carries over to each the Blue and Brown swap variants, then you definately most likely assume the identical, most likely a lot louder within the case of Blue switches that are additionally clicky.

Software program – Steelseries Engine

SteelSeries’ companion software program, SteelSeries Engine, is intuitive and simple to navigate and has a neat aesthetic in addition. That is the place you’ll be capable of customise keybindings, macros, lighting, and the OLED settings. When you can modify these options instantly on the OLED display screen, the software program provides you much more info and choices to work with. SteelSeries Engine can be the place you possibly can obtain apps on your OLED display screen, which may run within the background, like a music participant, system monitor, and gamesense apps for particular video games; which you’ll want for it to show recreation related info.

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Verdict

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is one of the best TKL keyboard we’ve used to date, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that it was a runner up for our Zero1 2021 greatest mechanical keyboard. It’s feature-rich and the one factor it’s lacking is a numpad, however since it is a TKL keyboard, that’s the entire level. The one grievance we’ve about it’s that it’s loud, so for those who’re out there for a TKL mechanical keyboard and don’t thoughts it being loud and costing INR 11,999, then go for the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL.