SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL Evaluation: Sizzling-Swappable Optical Switches

September 6, 2022

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A few months in the past, SteelSeries launched the Apex Professional Mini — an ultra-compact, highly-customizable gaming keyboard. And whereas it could be one of many finest gaming keyboards available on the market, it’s additionally, frankly, greater than a bit of too compact and too customizable for almost all of avid gamers. The model dials it again a bit of (however just a bit) with the launch of its Apex 9 sequence.

The Apex 9 sequence is available in two layouts — TKL (tenkeyless) and Mini (60 %); this evaluate will give attention to the Apex 9 TKL, however the keyboards are largely similar (minus structure). The Apex 9 TKL and Apex 9 Mini are each wired keyboards sporting SteelSeries’ new hot-swappable OptiPoint linear optical switches. These switches have 2-point actuation, which implies they’ve two factors of actuation (1mm and 1.5mm) — just like the Apex Professional Mini’s adjustable actuation, solely with two preset factors that you could toggle between, as a substitute of per-key adjustability to the closest 0.1mm.

The SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL and Apex 9 Mini can be found now, for $140 and $130, respectively; these keyboards aren’t practically as customizable because the Apex Professional Mini, however they’re additionally not practically as costly. In the intervening time, the Apex 9 TKL and Apex 9 Mini are solely out there with linear switches; SteelSeries plans to supply each clicky and tactile variations of its OptiPoint switches sooner or later as accent packs, however in the intervening time we’ve no info on how a lot these will price or whether or not the corporate will supply the keyboards with clicky/tactile switches included sooner or later.

Specs

Switches	OptiPoint Linear Optical Switches
Lighting	Per-key RGB
Onboard Storage	Sure
Media Keys	1 multi-function, clickable quantity curler
Sport Mode	Sure
Connectivity	Wired – USB-C
Extra Ports	None
Keycaps	Double-shot PBT
Development	Aluminum alloy body and prime plate, plastic chassis
Software program	SteelSeries GG
Dimensions (LxWxH)	14 x 5.04 x 1.65 inches / 355 x 128 x 42mm
Weight	1.4lbs / 635g

Design and Development of the Apex 9 TKL

The Apex 9 TKL sports activities a tenkeyless structure, with navigation keys and arrow keys however no quantity pad (the Apex 9 Mini has a 60 % structure — no quantity pad, navigation keys, or arrow keys). The keyboard is sturdily constructed, with a “Sequence 5000” aircraft-grade aluminum metallic body and prime plate (although the chassis itself is plastic) and double-shot PBT keycaps.

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

High: Apex 9 Mini; Backside: Apex Professional Mini (Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

The Apex 9 sequence has the identical minimal, elegant chassis design we first noticed on the Apex Professional Mini. In reality, the Apex 9 Mini is visually similar to the Apex Professional Mini.

Picture 1 of 2

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

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The Apex 9 TKL has barely extra room and features a multifunction media button and a textured, clickable metallic quantity curler within the higher proper nook.

Picture 1 of 4

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

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On the again of the Apex 9 TKL, you’ll discover two pairs of flip-out toes for top adjustment, in addition to an orange plastic SteelSeries keycap puller saved beneath a silicone flap. The keyboard is wired by way of removable USB-C cable (it comes with a 7-foot braided USB-C to USB-A cable) and has a USB-C port within the higher left nook. I do know SteelSeries is attempting to maintain the chassis streamlined, however it could be good to see a passthrough port or two (and even a number of USB-C enter ports for cable administration).

Typing and Gaming Expertise on the Apex 9 TKL

The Apex 9 comes with SteelSeries’ new OptiPoint optical switches, that are hot-swappable and have 2-point actuation (to not be confused with dual-actuation, which is a function that at present solely exists on the Apex Professional Mini).

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

Whereas the Apex 9 does have hot-swappable switches, it’s solely appropriate with optical — not mechanical — switches. The corporate additionally says the keyboard solely formally helps its personal OptiPoint switches; whereas third-party optical switches will match within the board, these with black backside housings take in an excessive amount of gentle to function precisely (OptiPoint switches have white backside housings).

The Apex 9’s switches function 2-point actuation, which implies they’ve adjustable actuation with two ranges — 1mm (“gaming mode”) and 1.5mm (“typing mode”). You possibly can toggle between these two modes utilizing SteelSeries’ GG software program or with a keyboard shortcut (the SteelSeries key + I/O). I used to be initially involved that these two actuation factors didn’t range sufficient in distance, however utilizing the keyboard in each modes (for each typing and gaming) put that to relaxation.

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

Typing on the Apex 9 feels fairly good, contemplating it has linear optical switches as a substitute of my most popular clicky mechanical switches. The Apex 9’s switches have each a lighter actuation drive (35g) and a shorter journey distance (3.4mm) in comparison with the usual Cherry MX Purple mechanical switches, so typing on the Apex 9 does really feel a bit of too fluttery, and can take some getting used to — particularly when you’re coming from a heavier, non-linear, mechanical swap background.

Gaming on the Apex 9 felt higher than typing — unsurprisingly, since linear switches, optical or not, often supply a greater gaming expertise than typing expertise. In line with SteelSeries, the switches have a response time of 0.2ms and nil debounce, and so they definitely felt very speedy, particularly in gaming mode, which permits for very gentle, fast keypresses.

Options and Software program of the Apex 9 TKL

The Apex 9 TKL works with SteelSeries Engine, which is a part of the SteelSeries GG software program suite. The keyboard comes with preset shortcuts, nonetheless, for switching between gaming and typing mode (SS key + I/O), switching between on-board profiles (SS key + F9), recording macros (SS key + F10) and adjusting the brightness of the per-key RGB (SS key + F11/F12), so the software program isn’t crucial.

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

Utilizing SteelSeries Engine, you’ll be able to remap the keyboard’s major and secondary (SS key) bindings, and arrange the keyboard’s 5 on-board profiles. Virtually each key might be remapped, together with the SteelSeries operate key, aside from — curiously — the multi-function media key and clickable quantity curler. Additionally, you’ll be able to’t regulate every key’s actuation level individually (like you’ll be able to on the Apex Professional Mini);you’ll be able to solely toggle the complete keyboard between gaming mode and typing mode.

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

(Picture credit score: Tom’s {Hardware})

You may as well change up the Apex 9’s lighting in SteelSeries Engine. Every key might be personalized individually with completely different colours and results, for 3 completely different layers (energetic, reactive, and idle). Whereas it can save you completely different lighting profiles in SteelSeries Engine, you’ll be able to’t hyperlink them to onboard profiles.

The Backside Line

The SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL is definitely a reasonably engaging providing for anybody curious about optical switches with adjustable actuation — however who doesn’t want the over-the-top 0.1mm per-key adjustment supplied by the Apex Professional Mini. The Apex 9 TKL’s bigger structure is unquestionably a plus for anybody who finds a 60 % structure too small — for individuals who don’t, the Apex 9 Mini can also be out there. The keyboard’s hot-swappable PCB is attention-grabbing however not practically as versatile because it sounds, provided that it’s solely actually appropriate with SteelSeries’ personal yet-to-be-released optical switches.

Each the Apex 9 TKL and the Apex 9 Mini are considerably cheaper than the Apex Professional Mini, however that doesn’t imply they’re low-cost. If you happen to don’t want the Apex 9’s 2-point actuation hot-swappable optical switches, it’s possible you’ll need to search for one thing cheaper, such because the TKL Redragon Vishnu K596 or the 60 % Corsair K65 RGB Mini.

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