SteelSeries Apex M750 TKL Mechanical Keyboard REVIEWShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest
I take my keyboard for granted. That may seem like an odd statement, but the truth is when I sit down to work at my computer, I just start typing without a second thought. My keyboard just works and that makes it easier for me to be productive. I can work without thinking about it. My main workstation is composed of my MacBook Pro, an LG 34-inch UltraWide monitor, and the Apple Wireless keyboard and trackpad, I also have an older gaming PC. There are a lot of third-party wireless keyboards out there, but I tend to stick with the Apple-branded products because they are designed to work as a cohesive ecosystem.
As nice as the Apple Keyboard is, it is still a membrane-based keyboard, which can have a shorter lifespan than a mechanical keyboard. With that in mind, I’ve been on the prowl for a strong mechanical keyboard that would work well for daily use as well as online gaming. The Apex M750 TKL from SteelSeries is a compact mechanical keyboard that seems fits nicely into my set-up so I thought I would give it a closer look.
DETAILS
SteelSeries is an amazing company that designs first-rate products for gamers. Even though I’m not your typical gamer (I play most games on the XBox One, Nintendo Switch and then my gaming PC.), I definitely appreciate that feel of a good mechanical keyboard. The Apex M750 TKL features a tenkeyless design, which means that it does not have the classic number pad on the right-hand side of the board. In total, the Apex M750 TKL has 104 keys and is 100% anti-ghosting.
The keyboard uses QX2 linear mechanical gaming switches, which just debuted this year with the larger version of this keyboard. The QX2 switches offer 2mm actuation and 4mm total travel. You can expect the keys to have a lifetime of 50 million keypresses. The QX2 has its LEDs positions at the top of the switch housing and because the switch housings are clear, the LEDs shine all over the backplate. Illumination is individually controlled per-key and is RGB-based.
The Apex M750 also features the 5000 series aluminum frame, which makes the keyboard very durable and adds to the longevity of the product’s lifespan and prevents you from breaking the keyboard in the event of a ragequit. This keyboard even features real-time Discord lighting notifications. Because the Apex M750 TKL has a smaller form factor, it’s optimal for users who are looking to maximize both their desk and mousepad surface areas. For me, a compact keyboard was a must. Since I was adding this into an existing set-up, I wanted something that could be tucked away until I needed it.
Even though the default coloring is lovely, users have the ability to customize the look of their keyboards and gaming experiences through the SteelSeries Engine Software, with Key Rebinds, Key Press Macros, and Text Based Macros. In addition to the basic utility that allows you to program your keyboard, there are other Engine Apps that play into your experience like Audio Visualizer and Image Sync. Some of the effects you can utilize include:
- Active Effects: ColorShift Wave, ColorShift Breathe, Static (any color)
- Keypress Reactive: Ripple, Runout
- GIFs via ImageSync: Flavortown, Beach Chillin’, BOOM, GG
- GameSense: CS:GO, Dota 2, Gigantic
USER EXPERIENCE
In my opinion, the SteelSeries Apex M750 TKL is one of these gadgets you don’t know you need until you’ve used it. I find myself missing that tactile feel of a great mechanical keyboard from time to time. When it comes to gaming online you also can’t beat having a mechanical keyboard. The keys have a really nice soft feel. I found myself applying just about the same amount of pressure I do with my laptop keyboard (butterfly switch keys), which isn’t much. There are some mechanical keyboards that you have to press the keys very hard in order for the computer to register the keystroke, but with the Apex M750 TKL, the soft keys really grasp the commands. Even though they have a softer feel than some mechanical keyboards, it still has a wonderful click when the keys are pressed.
CONCLUSION I’ve used this keyboard primarily for day-to-day activities along with online gaming and I feel that it can easily be used for nearly any activity. It’s a solid keyboard and it looks great. I would recommend this to gamers and standard users who want the stability and strength of a mechanical keyboard.
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Originally published at macsources.com on December 15, 2017.
