SteelSeries Apex gaming keyboards at CES

This year at CES, we sat down with SteelSeries at their private suite to take a look at their latest non-mechanical keyboards—the Apex and Apex [RAW].

Even though the Apex and Apex [RAW] are generally the same keyboard, there are a slight differences between the two. The Apex has an extra row of macros keys on the left-hand side, as well as a beautiful lighting system, while the [RAW] is slightly pared down, and is lacking these two extras. Three things you may notice in the pictures is that the space bar and the ESC keys are bigger than you might be used to. SteelSeries claims the reason for that is because when you rest your hand on the keyboard, it is only natural to place your thumbs under the space bar.

The really distinctive feature is the two new diagonal directional arrow keys. SteelSeries talked to many players in the community, both amateur and professional, and this feature was one of the most requested. It may seem weird at first glance, but if you are someone that does not have a PC-enabled console controller, and you want to play games like Shank or any other side scrolling games, it makes a lot of sense.

Just like the World of Warcraft Wireless Mouse, SteelSeries Engine applies to the Apex and Apex [RAW]—you can customize your keys on a per-key basis, which is nice when you are setting up your gaming profile. Also, just like the WoW mouse, you do not need to switch profiles before you launch the game. Another feature that I really liked is that it will record what keys you press the most during your games, and you can play back what keys you pressed. This is a feature I wished more keyboards offered, because I would love to improve my StarCraft skills.

The Apex and Apex [RAW] key features:

• 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 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 uses to adjust the keyboard’s angle to what is most comfortable.

Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO, says this about the Apex,

“We’re introducing a range of new gaming fuctionality with the Apex keyboards, including the new SteelSeries ActiveZone which allows for easier and faster access to advanced customization and feature than ever before. The SteelSeires Apex and Apex [RAW] have been designed to enabled users to react quickly, more strategically, and adapt how these keyboards perform for every game.”

The Apex MSRP will be set for $99.99 while the Apex [RAW] will be set for $69.99.