SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
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Product Overview
SteelSeries Apex 5 is a full-size mechanical gaming keyboard that features SteelSeries' hybrid blue mechanical switches in a series 5000 aircraft grade aluminum frame.
The hybrid switches combines the smoothness of a membrane switch with the tactile feeling of a blue mechanical switch, though each is rated for only 20 million key strokes.
Despite its low-to-mid-range positioning, the Apex 5 retains the OLED display and dedicated media controls found in higher-end models such as Apex 7 and Apex Pro. It similarly keeps the full metal frame as well as a magnetic wrist rest with a durable soft touch finish that is easy to attach.
As a compromise, the Apex 5 comes 24-key rollover only.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Stylish, minimalist design
- Hybrid Blue switches are spring-loaded
- Keys feel more like mechanical keyboards
- Sleek design
Cons
- Keys feel a bit plasticky
What external reviewers found***
External score 71% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Great keyboard performance
- Great RGB lighting
- Excellent build quality
- Outstanding build quality and RGB backlighting
- Solid in-game performance
- Good typing experience
Cons
- Expensive for a full mechanical keyboard
- No dedicated macro keys
- No detachable cable
- No RGB lighting
- Only available for Windows and macOS
- Screen saver is a bit silly
Price Comparison
Specifications
Connectivity
Ports
USB
Construction
Cable
2m braided cable
Form Factor
Full-size (104 keys) mechanical keyboard
Material
Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy Frame
Switch Type
SteelSeries Hybrid Mechanical RGB Switch
Dimensions
Size | Depth
139.2 mm
Size | Height
40.5 mm
Size | Width
442.8 mm
Weight
2.04 lbs
Function
Keyboard Backlight
Dynamic Per Key RGB Lighting
Misc
24-key Rollover
Performance
Durability
20 million key strokes
Key Travel
2mm actuation, 4mm bottom, 50g actuation force
Production
Debut
2020-01
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
External Reviews
laptopmag[1]
Reviewer score 87%The SteelSeries Apex 5 uses what the company calls Hybrid Blue Mechanical Switches. The keyboard's form factor is extremely solid -- when I pressed down on the frame, it didn't budge. The Apex 5 also comes with a detachable wrist rest, which magnetically attaches to the bottom of the keyboard.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Comfortable wrist rest
- Stylish design
Cons
- No detachable cable
pcmag[2]
Reviewer score 82%The SteelSeries Apex 5 gaming keyboard has 104 keys. It has a detachable wrist rest, a hard, rubber-coated panel that clings magnetically to the bottom of the keyboard. The screen gives you access to on-the-fly lighting changes, profile customization, and other settings.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Great RGB lighting
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Screen saver is a bit silly
rtings[3]
Reviewer score 46%The SteelSeries Apex 5 is an outstanding gaming keyboard. Every key is programmable, but the absence of dedicated macro keys may be disappointing for some MMO players. The latency is quite high for a wired keyboard, which might be a dealbreaker for some gamers. On the plus side, it has excellent build quality and its RGB backlighting is great for gaming in the dark.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- RGB backlighting is great for gaming in the dark
- Outstanding build quality and RGB backlighting
- Good typing experience
- Great keyboard performance
Cons
- No dedicated macro keys
- Short pre-travel distance and light operating force
- Loud typing noise
- Only available for Windows and macOS
tomsguide[4]
Reviewer score 70%The Apex 5 offers per-key lighting with a full RGB spectrum. Unlike many full mechanical keyboards, the lighting is not that bright. You can reprogram any key on the whole device, not just a row of function keys. The keys do a fairly good job when it comes to typing.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek, durable design
- Comfortable keyboard keys
- Solid in-game performance
Cons
- Expensive for a full mechanical keyboard
- No RGB lighting
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ SteelSeries Apex 5 review. [laptopmag]. https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-5. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ SteelSeries Apex 5 Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-5. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Keyboard Review. [rtings]. https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-5-hybrid-mechanical-gaming-keyboard. 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ SteelSeries Apex 5 review. [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-5. 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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