SteelSeries Unveils the Apex and Apex [RAW] Gaming Keyboards

[Cristian_25H]

Kicking off the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, SteelSeries, the leading global manufacturer of gaming peripherals today, announced the Apex and Apex [RAW] Gaming Keyboards. Made up of beautiful form and carefully optimized functions, the Apex and Apex [RAW] feature unique enhancements to the keyboards layout from low-profile keys, specially designed raised macros rows for quick access, and multiple layers of customization in colors and intensity. Built to deliver the world's fastest reaction time and key combinations, the Apex features SteelSeries ActiveZone - a unique combination of programmability with visual support to better navigate the keyboard to win.

"We're introducing a range of new gaming functionality with the Apex keyboards, including the new SteelSeries ActiveZone which allows for easier and faster access to advanced customization and features than ever before," said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. "The SteelSeries Apex and Apex [RAW] have been designed to enable users to react quickly, move strategically, and adapt how these keyboards perform for every game."





Superior Design & Optimized Layout
The Apex and Apex [RAW] strategically combine an adjusted layout with key enhancements that bring fluidity to the way the user moves around the keyboard. These enhancements include:

- Raised macro-keys along the top and left side, which provide faster and more precise macro-combinations.
- The addition of two small tactile bumps on the W-key to provide a faster return to WASD.
- Superior anti-ghosting that supports simultaneous key presses in 20 of the most used gaming keys on the Apex and Apex [RAW}.
- An enlarged space bar and added directional keys that support features that improve comfort and reaction time.
- A SteelSeries key that allows the user to easily adjust brightness and disable the Windows key with no software required.
- Two swappable feet that allow the user to adjust the keyboard's angle to what is most comfortable.

The Apex Keyboard - $99.99/€99.99 MSRP
The SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard goes beyond just choosing from 16.8 million colors; it features SteelSeries ActiveZone illumination, a visual support tool that allows the user to independently customize colors - up to 8 levels of illumination intensity in each of its 5 zones - with up to 4 different customizable layers per zone. With the ability to program every key, including the 22 macro-keys along the top and left side of the keyboard and up to 4 layers per key, users of the Apex now have 504 more ways to win. The Apex also features independent media and volume keys that provide instant access to media control.

The Apex [RAW] Keyboard - $69.99/€69.99 MSRP
Defined as the "essentials" keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex [RAW] brings users advanced, but not complex technology in an optimized design at an aggressive price point. The Apex [RAW] features brilliant white illumination with 8 levels of intensity. Users can also program every key on the Apex [RAW], including its 17 raised macro-keys along the top and left side of the keyboard, and up to 2 layers per key, to a total of 250 programmable keys on the board.

SteelSeries Engine Technology
Supported by SteelSeries Engine, users have the technology support to easily customize, save, and perfect their gaming keyboard set-up. With advanced macro capabilities that are unique only to SteelSeries Engine, users have the ability to "Copy and Paste" macros optimized for entry in command lines for MMO games as well as to create key-press macros with programmable timings and delays.

Users can create an unlimited number of profiles and define original features for each. Apex users can define 4 layers of macros, while Apex [RAW] users can define 2 layers per profile, allowing for advanced configurations per game profile. Profiles can be defined so that they automatically open based on the game that is being played. In addition to supporting illumination and/or intensity settings per layer per profile, users can also record statistics via a keyboard heat map to analyze game sessions and to improve gameplay.

The SteelSeries Apex and Apex [RAW] Gaming Keyboards will be available to consumers in early Q2 2013.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Widjaja]

The big Esc key which you hit just before someone crosses the finish line before you do.

 

[Fourstaff]

Non mechanical fancy gamer keyboard, a dying breed.

 

[3870x2]

I don't know that I will ever get a non-mechanical keyboard. I would like to test out other kinds of switches though.

Great looking keyboard though.

 

[McSteel]

This just feels like a proof-of-concept product made to embody a couple of design ideas, much like a concept car does. I simply can't see it as a finished, polished product that I'd consider buying. I hope some of the good solutions "spill over" to better existing base products.

 

[AsRock]

Non mechanical fancy gamer keyboard, a dying breed.

First thing i looked at was the pic and thought sweet 2 extra keys for the left handed then i noticed that Non mechanical...

Extra keys would of helped but as you said Non mechanical, and to me that's fail.. So i am back to thinking of getting th ROCCAT Ryos once again.

 

[Deadlyraver]

Yeah, I got my hopes up too and now SteelSeries derped yet another time. C'mon, SteelSeries, get out of the past already.

 

[Fourstaff]

Yeah, I got my hopes up too and now SteelSeries derped yet another time. C'mon, SteelSeries, get out of the past already.

They have the 7g if you want a mechanical keyboard from them.

 

[Vancha]

They have the 7g if you want a mechanical keyboard from them.

Thing is, it shouldn't be a case of "if you want a mechanical" anymore. They should all be mechanical. Rubber domes are fair enough for budget boards, but at a price like that? The Apex RAW is somewhat reasonable, but for $99 the only takers of the Apex will be people who don't know any better.

 

[Fourstaff]

Thing is, it shouldn't be a case of "if you want a mechanical" anymore. They should all be mechanical. Rubber domes are fair enough for budget boards, but at a price like that? The Apex RAW is somewhat reasonable, but for $99 the only takers of the Apex will be people who don't know any better.

Not many mechanical keyboards with shiny lights and many keys for $99, and not everyone will benefit from the durability of a mechanical keyboard.

 

[Binge]

I don't think anyone said they needed to pay $99 for a mech board with these features. Sure it would be nice, but I think the point is they are missing the mark so less people will pay $99 for rubber dome.

I know I will not be buying this keyboard.

 

[Fourstaff]

I don't think anyone said they needed to pay $99 for a mech board with these features. Sure it would be nice, but I think the point is they are missing the mark so less people will pay $99 for rubber dome.

I know I will not be buying this keyboard.

That is just to answer (justify?) the point Vancha made ("but for $99 the only takers of the Apex will be people who don't know any better.")

I am pretty sure not everyone prefer mechanical keyboards (or forced to use rubber dome due to circumstances like noise), so this can be an alternative to them.

 

[Vancha]

That is just to answer (justify?) the point Vancha made ("but for $99 the only takers of the Apex will be people who don't know any better.")

I am pretty sure not everyone prefer mechanical keyboards (or forced to use rubber dome due to circumstances like noise), so this can be an alternative to them.

I spend way too much time reading about keyboards, among other things...and the amount of people I've seen who've stated a preference for domes having owned a mech? Less than five. The number's even lower if you eliminate people who qualified that with specific keyboards (the Sidewinder, the original G15 or a certain Dell keyboard I can't remember the name of). Noise can be taken care of with dampeners, so long as you aren't using blues.

Granted, there aren't many mechs with backlight and extra keys for $99, but given a choice between the Apex and the CM Storm Trigger? You'd have to really be into pretty lights to choose the Apex.

 

[Binge]

We have companies like coolermaster leading the market with mech boards. The Storm TK is just one iteration of a fully-backlit board with a great layout for gaming and typing. Steelseries lagging behind the more affordable/higher quality option is just an attempt to grab the demographic with pretty lights and empty promises. With mech keyboards it will not be easy for companies to really bank off of a keyboard sale, but the keyboards will sell instead of sitting on the shelf. Mech keyboards, even the gaming models, are being bought for employees at my work by the staff to increase productivity and reduce unwanted strain on the hands. Can you believe that? Amazing!

When one uses mechanical keyboards long enough they tend to make less noise as there is no need to "bottom out" like all rubber domes force the user achieve.

$99 for their software/leds/design is fine, but I'm arguing that this, like a number of steel series products, will just sit on the shelves.

 

[Fourstaff]

I spend way too much time reading about keyboards, among other things...and the amount of people I've seen who've stated a preference for domes having owned a mech? Less than five. The number's even lower if you eliminate people who qualified that with specific keyboards (the Sidewinder, the original G15 or a certain Dell keyboard I can't remember the name of). Noise can be taken care of with dampeners, so long as you aren't using blues.

Granted, there aren't many mechs with backlight and extra keys for $99, but given a choice between the Apex and the CM Storm Trigger? You'd have to really be into pretty lights to choose the Apex.

We will just need to wait and see how popular shiny lights is compared to mechanical keyboards. In the world where Justin Bieber can reach number 1 in charts, where Monster Beats are "the best headphones I have used", pretty lights can be a seller.

If it hits the bargain bin rapidly then we know that customers are more informed, if this continues to be a strong seller then SS will have nice fat profit margins.

 

[Hilux SSRG]

Thing looks nice and custom and I'm sure there are plenty out there that will buy. Check out that huge space-bar, I did a double-take on first glance.

 

[3870x2]

I have never heard them referred to as Monster Beats, and their contract expired with monster (as a manufacturer) in 2012 didn't it?

Just like beats and apple, there is more marketing the product than product driving the company.

 

[tacosRcool]

$70 for a illuminated keyboard? Better than Razer products at that price