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It has to be said that the choice of rubber dome switches is an odd one in a day and age where competitors are using mechanical switches on keyboards in a similar price range.
That said, the build quality of the SteelSeries Apex [RAW] is excellent. The keyboard feels sturdy, remains in place despite my best “ragequit” attempts and the white illumination makes it look very pretty.
With 34 programmable macros across 17 dedicated macro keys on 2 levels no gamer should feel constrained by its customization options. Add the options provided by the excellent SteelSeries Engine and what you are left with is a keyboard that lets you configure your keyboard in every insane and sane possible way.
Competition for the Apex [RAW] in the same price bracket comes in the form of keyboards such as the TT eSports MEKA Mechanical Keyboard and the Corsair Raptor K50. Ultimately though, it is the Apex that poses the biggest threat to the Apex [RAW]. Its bigger sibling offers 2 USB ports, dedicated media keys, customizable lighting, 4 macro layers and costs only £24 more than the Apex [RAW].
The SteelSeries Apex [RAW] is available for £55.99 inc vat.
Pros:
- SteelSeries Engine offers unlimited customization potential.
- Attractive, low-profile design.
- Anti-ghosting for 6 simultaneous key presses across 20 frequently used keys works as advertised.
- Rubber feet are easy to change and offer excellent grip.
- The bigger spacebar is an excellent idea executed extremely well.
Cons:
- No customizable lighting.
- No USB ports.
- Glossy finish looks attractive but attracts dust and fingerprints within seconds.
- The Apex costs only £24 more than the Apex [RAW], making it a tough sell.
KitGuru says: If you are on the market for a low-profile, solid keyboard with unlimited customization potential through SteelSeries' excellent SteelSeries Engine, the Apex [RAW] is definitely worth your time.
