INTRODUCTION

   For the past couple of days many people have been sending us emails and questions via social media asking what they should be looking for when out to get a brand new mechanical gaming keyboard and the simple answer is that it depends on the person. Personally, whenever we test any keyboard i like to put construction/build quality first not only because that's what i feel most consumers are also looking for (myself included) but also because the main selling point of mechanical keyboards is almost always the durability/endurance of their switches. Certainly, there are more things to consider today when out to get a gaming keyboard (this is where the "it depends" comes in) including features like dedicated macro and media keys, USB pass-throughs, per-key RGB lighting, detachable wrist rests and others so obviously we also take these into account in our reviews. SteelSeries recently updated their Apex gaming keyboard line and today we're testing the top of the line Apex Pro model.

   SteelSeries is a leader in gaming peripherals focused on quality, innovation and functionality, and the fastest growing major PC gaming headset brand in the US. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries improves performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that enable gamers to play harder, train longer, and rise to the challenge. SteelSeries is a pioneer supporter of competitive gaming tournaments and eSports and connects gamers to each other, fostering a sense of community and purpose. SteelSeries’ team of professional and gaming enthusiasts help design and craft every single accessory and are the driving force behind the company.

   The brand new Apex Pro model may not have dedicated macro keys but thanks to its OmniPoint switches (up to 100 million keystrokes) it's among the most advanced mechanical gaming keyboards in the market today. You see unlike most gaming keyboards today that use mechanical switches the OmniPoint ones are actually also magnetic (Analog Hall Effect magnetic sensor) thus allowing the consumer to custom-tune their actuation points (single increments from 1 through 10 / from 0.4mm and up to 3.6mm) to decrease response times and increase accuracy/feedback. Still only the main 61 out of the 104 available keys feature OmniPoint switches (the other 43 have Gateron RGB Reds beneath them) and even though we do understand the need to keep cost as low as possible it would be nice if all of the keys featured OmniPoint switches. Aside its OmniPoint switches however the Apex Pro also features an frame made out of series 5000 aircraft grade aluminum, OLED display, per-key dynamic RGB lighting (11 effects), 32bit ARM processor (5 onboard profiles), dedicated media keys with volume roller, USB 2.0 pass-through port, magnetic wrist rest with soft rubber coating, N-Key rollover with 100% anti-ghosting, 1000Hz polling rate and three-way cable routing. Certainly, sounds interesting right?