SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gaming Keyboard

The physical keyboard is phenomenal. The new acuation update works perfectly, and the on the fly modifiable custom actuation point for different keys is surprisingly useful. The problem with this keyboard is that the drivers are horrible. They don't function correctly half the time, and this has been many SteelSeries fans long standing complaint. SteelSeries Engine 2 and 3 were plagued with issues, and SteelSeries GG is no different. Colors wont stay mapped. Keyboard settings wont stay mapped. The only fix? Unplug your keyboard, uninstall the software, turn off your pc, plug in your keyboard, turn on your pc, install the software again. This wouldnt be too big of a deal if it didnt need to be done every time there's an issue with the keyboard. Also this software is ... MoreThe physical keyboard is phenomenal. The new acuation update works perfectly, and the on the fly modifiable custom actuation point for different keys is surprisingly useful. The problem with this keyboard is that the drivers are horrible. They don't function correctly half the time, and this has been many SteelSeries fans long standing complaint. SteelSeries Engine 2 and 3 were plagued with issues, and SteelSeries GG is no different. Colors wont stay mapped. Keyboard settings wont stay mapped. The only fix? Unplug your keyboard, uninstall the software, turn off your pc, plug in your keyboard, turn on your pc, install the software again. This wouldnt be too big of a deal if it didnt need to be done every time there's an issue with the keyboard. Also this software is mandatory if you want most of the useful features of the keyboard.

This is the third mini keyboard I have tested, and I am quite enjoying it! This Apex Pro Mini, descended from the award-winning Apex Pro full-sized gaming keyboard, stands up well to that reputation. This keyboard has a great amount of customizability, including the ability to change the actuation of each keystroke via the SteelSeries GG software. It also provides the ability to set dual actuation actions, where for example a single key like W can be set to walk at partial actuation and then sprint at full actuation. These Omnipoint adjustable switches evidently are the first of their kind and could prove quite competitive to the right users.The switches themselves present here feel like basic linear switches: smooth keystroke with a small tap at the bottom to let ... MoreThis is the third mini keyboard I have tested, and I am quite enjoying it! This Apex Pro Mini, descended from the award-winning Apex Pro full-sized gaming keyboard, stands up well to that reputation. This keyboard has a great amount of customizability, including the ability to change the actuation of each keystroke via the SteelSeries GG software. It also provides the ability to set dual actuation actions, where for example a single key like W can be set to walk at partial actuation and then sprint at full actuation. These Omnipoint adjustable switches evidently are the first of their kind and could prove quite competitive to the right users.The switches themselves present here feel like basic linear switches: smooth keystroke with a small tap at the bottom to let you know full actuation has occurred. The build quality of the keyboard is right in line with my SteelSeries Aerox 5 mouse I use in complement with it: plastic, matte finish with a tactile texture. This is suitable in my opinion to maintain good contact with the keys during frenetic keystrokes in an FPS or MMORPG games without the sweat or grease of your fingertips slipping on the keypads.As regular typing experience goes, I don’t mind this at all. If you have not utilized 60% mini keyboards before, there is some time needed to get used to the absence of a function row of keys or arrow keys. Once one becomes acquainted with this, old home-row typing habits return and it is off to the races with typing like normal again. Plus, the amount of desk space this saves you over a regular sized or TKL keyboard is tremendous. There is a lot more room for me to multitask on my desk now with this keyboard present.One of the things I like about this keyboard is the little easter egg the put on the backside of the keyboard. Behind a rubber peel away cover, there is a handy little keycap pulling tool in the customary SteelSeries brand orange color! That is really cool and shows they care about users’ ability to customize or clean the keyboard on the go.Altogether, I am highly in favor of this keyboard. If you are in the market for a well-made, highly featured mini keyboard, this one would be an excellent choice to consider! Thanks for reading and hope this review has helped encourage your purchase decision.

Over the years, I have had hands-on experience with a plethora of keyboards spanning various form-factors, switch-types, and configurations. That said, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the one of the most compact, customizable, and powerful keyboards I’ve ever used.After opening the packaging, the keyboard’s size is its most noticeable aspect. Featuring a compact 60% size (i.e., no dedicated arrow keys, ten-key pad, media function keys, function keys, or navigation keys), this keyboard sports only the keys you absolutely need while maintaining all the functionality of said removed keys. The keyboard provides these functionalities via a responsive and robust “SteelSeries Key” located between the Right Windows Key and the Right Control Key operating much like the ... MoreOver the years, I have had hands-on experience with a plethora of keyboards spanning various form-factors, switch-types, and configurations. That said, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the one of the most compact, customizable, and powerful keyboards I’ve ever used.After opening the packaging, the keyboard’s size is its most noticeable aspect. Featuring a compact 60% size (i.e., no dedicated arrow keys, ten-key pad, media function keys, function keys, or navigation keys), this keyboard sports only the keys you absolutely need while maintaining all the functionality of said removed keys. The keyboard provides these functionalities via a responsive and robust “SteelSeries Key” located between the Right Windows Key and the Right Control Key operating much like the “Fn Key” found on many laptops. While holding the SteelSeries Key, the user can access the secondary functions of each key which are clearly labeled on the front of each keycap. This sort of interface may be a dealbreaker for some, but I found it was rather easy to get acclimated to. I spend a lot of time in productivity applications and, while a full-size keyboard can be easily operated out of the box with no extra thinking involved, I found I was able to achieve a comparable performance level with this keyboard after a short learning curve.Another immediately noticeable aspect of this keyboard is its utilization of SteelSeries proprietary OmniPoint Adjustable Actuation Switches. Typically, I immediately take pause when a manufacturer touts its proprietary switches as superior to traditional mechanical switches; however, I was happily proven wrong on this one. The actuation point of the switches is customizable via SteelSeries GG, a software typically bundled with any SteelSeries product, and offers settings ranging from an unbelievably sensitive hair trigger to requiring the key to be fully depressed for actuation. This allows for a degree of customization that would have previously required you to buy a whole new keyboard with different switches. It is important to note, however, that modifying the actuation point of the switches DOES NOT modify the tactile or audible responses of the keyboard. If I were to compare the feel of these switches to a traditional mechanical switch, I would say they are most similar to Cherry MX Reds where there is no tactile actuation feedback, and the keys need not be bottomed out for actuation. Personally, I find that an actuation point of 1.6 in SteelSeries GG offers the quickest and most sensitive response for my typing style while avoiding unintended keypresses.You may notice that the majority of the keyboard is constructed out of plastic; however, I would not consider this to be a downfall as I would with many other keyboards. Whatever kind of space-age plastic they used in constructing this keyboard feels astoundingly rigid, premium, and hefty -- there is ZERO flex to this keyboard whatsoever. The keys also have a grin-inducing texture to them highly reminiscent of the classic beige keyboards with purple PS/2 connectors.Another aspect of the keyboard I would like to touch on is the customizability of each key’s individual function. Via use of the SteelSeries GG software, the user can reprogram any key to perform nearly any function including straight-up rebinds, execution of user-generated macros, and even dual-press keys. I don’t typically make much use of features like this, however, I found that rebinding the Right Windows Key to function as a Second “SteelSeries Key” eliminated the few inadvertent keystrokes I was performing when initially getting my feet wet with the keyboard (and I never really use the Right Windows Key anyhow). SteelSeries GG also allows users to customize the per-key RGB backlighting to their heart’s content.One potential downside to this keyboard is its lack of ergonomic considerations; however, I feel it should be evident that ergonomics will take a hit when dealing with 60% keyboards, especially considering the omission of a wrist pad. If you think this may be a dealbreaker for you, I found that the dedicated wrist pad from my Logitech G513 provided some support, but a more ergonomics-centric keyboard may be a better option for you.Overall, I would highly recommend this keyboard to anyone looking for an extremely compact platform ideal for travelling with all the functionality and customization options that a full-size keyboard typically offers. The quality of the keyboard itself as well as the software bundled with it make this an exceptionally user-friendly product to set up, use, and customize to your exact liking.