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SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 · Photo source

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Photo 1 of 15

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 · Photo source

SteelSeries

Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

Released September 2024

SteelSeries' wired tenkeyless gaming keyboard with OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect magnetic switches whose actuation point can be set from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, plus Rapid Trigger, an OLED display and per-key RGB.

Layout
Tenkeyless
Switches
Magnetic (Hall effect)
Backlight
RGB
Battery
–
Connects by
Cable
Weight
974 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the fast, reliable magnetic switches, the typing and gaming feel, the solid build and the depth of adjustment, and see it as a strong choice for competitive games. The common criticism is the high price for a wired keyboard; PC Gamer found the software inconsistent, TechRadar disliked the wrist rest, and Laptop Mag found the small OLED screen and volume scroller awkward.

From pcgamer.com, techradar.com and laptopmag.com

Specifications

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Typing

Layout
Tenkeyless
Switches
Magnetic (Hall effect)
Backlight
RGB
Keys labelled for
Windows
Switches
OmniPoint 3.0 adjustable HyperMagnetic switches (analogue Hall effect magnetic sensors, not mechanical contacts), rated for up to 100 million keystrokes; per-key lubrication; 0.7 ms response time
Key travel
Actuation point adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0 mm; 45 g bottom-out force
Keycaps
Double-shot PBT
Backlight
Dynamic per-key RGB, 16.8 million colours, with reactive typing effects
Special keys
OLED smart display; Rapid Trigger, Rapid Tap and Protection Mode; 5 onboard profiles; 32-bit ARM processor

Connections and battery

Connects by
Cable
Power
Cable
Works with
Windows 10 and above; macOS 11 Big Sur and above with SteelSeries GG and Engine (not all features supported on macOS)
Software
SteelSeries GG with Engine and QuickSet

Design

Weight
974 g
Width × depth × height
355 × 129 × 42 mm
Size
355 × 129 × 42 mm (width × depth × height); rubber tri-level feet
Materials
Aluminium top plate; sound-dampening foam
Colours
Black; other finishes on steelseries.com
In the box
Keyboard, detachable braided USB-C to USB-A cable, extension adapter, wrist rest, keycap puller, product information guide

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm per key, with Rapid Trigger, Rapid Tap and Protection Mode
  • OLED smart display for changing settings on the keyboard; 5 onboard profiles
  • Double-shot PBT keycaps, aluminium top plate, sound-dampening foam and factory-lubricated keys

Cons

  • Wired only; the wireless model is sold separately
  • Hall effect switches can't be swapped for standard MX-style ones
  • Some GG software features aren't supported on macOS

Closest rivals

Model
LayoutSwitchesBacklightBatteryConnects byWeightReleased
KeychronV3 Max
TenkeylessMechanicalRGB190 hoursBluetooth, USB receiver and Cable895 gFeb 2024
LogitechG515 LIGHTSPEED TKL
TenkeylessLow-profile mechanicalRGB36 hoursBluetooth, USB receiver and Cable880 gJun 2024
LogitechG915 X LIGHTSPEED TKL
TenkeylessLow-profile mechanicalRGB1000 hoursBluetooth, USB receiver and Cable860 gSept 2024

Sources

  1. steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-pro-gen-3
  2. theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252951/steelseries-apex-pro-gen-3-keyboards-hall-effect

Photo: images.ctfassets.net

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