Affected by the epidemic, WFH has become a new habit for many people, so many people have begun to look for some lightweight and multi-functional electronic accessories. Recently, the gaming brand SteelSeries has launched the Apex Pro Mini and the wireless version of the keyboard, featuring small size and equipped with Omnipoint 2.0 mechanical keys, which are convenient for different types of users. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is priced at HK$1799, while its wireless version, the Apex Pro Mini Wireless, is priced at HK$2499.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini series is a 61-key keyboard, the shortest type without physical arrow keys and Numpad, measuring 293mm x 103mm x 40.3 mm and weighing 610g. The keycap font is larger than other gaming and clerical keyboards, and like the SteelSeries Apex Pro, the Mini version of the keyboard is also backlit, which is convenient for users to use in low-light environments. In addition to the backlit fonts printed on the keycaps, the keycaps also have some functions that are only available on the 106-key keyboard, such as arrow keys, music adjustment and other functions, which can be used by pressing the “SteelSeries” button in the lower right corner. , so that the Apex Pro Mini with only 61 keys has all the keys of a standard keyboard.
▲Like the SteelSeries Apex Pro, both wired and wireless Mini keyboards have RGB backlighting.
Apex Pro Mini has a simple appearance. Both versions have a USB-C port on the upper left, which is convenient for charging and connecting to a computer. The Wireless version also has an on-off button next to the TYPE-C port, which can handle keyboard, Bluetooth, and other functions at one time. connected switch. The SteelSeries logo is printed on the lower left corner and just above the keyboard. On the back of the keyboard, both keyboards are equipped with 2 heights that can be adjusted by users. The wired version of Apex Pro Mini also has a keycap extractor on the back of the keyboard, which is convenient for users who love beauty to replace the keycaps.
▲The Wireless version also has a switch next to the TYPE-C interface, which can handle the switch of the keyboard and Bluetooth connection at one time.
▲The wired version of the Apex Pro Mini keyboard has a keycap extractor on the back.
In terms of packaging and accessories, both versions of the Apex Pro Mini come with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable and a keycap extractor, and the Wireless version has a USB-C wireless transceiver and a network extension connector. It is convenient for users to make multiple connections.
▲SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless package comes with USB-C to USB-A charging cable,keycap extractor,USB-C wireless transceiver and network extension connector.
▲SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini package comes withUSB-C to USB-A charging cable。
Omnipoint 2.0 technology allows users to adjust the feel of the keys
Both versions of Apex Pro Mini use Omnipoint Mechanical Button 2.0. Users can adjust the button activation speed between 0.2 mm and 3.8 mm according to their needs, as well as the adjustment between the button deep-tap or light-tap, a total of 10 a degree. Omnipoint 2.0 also has a Dual Action Keypress function, which is convenient for users to use a single button to perform dual functions when playing games, such as walking and running.
Users only need to long press the SteelSeries Function Key in the lower right corner of the keyboard, and then press the “I” or “O” key to adjust the activation speed of the keys. When adjusting, the “1-10” keys above the keyboard will turn white. It is convenient for users to check the key start speed. The editor who usually uses the red-axis keyboard to handle paperwork thinks that the 3.8 mm button is the most comfortable to start, and when typing with 0.2 mm, there will be typos or other keys by mistake, but typing has always been accurate. Of course the home doesn’t have this problem.
▲Users canPress the “SteelSeries” button and then the “I” or “O” button to adjust the trigger distance. You can pay attention to the white light on the 1 – 0 number keys, which represents the length of the trigger distance.
In addition, the sound of the Apex Pro Mini is lower-key than other mechanical or gaming keyboards. I compared the Apex Pro Mini with the keyboards equipped with green and red switches, and found that the sound of the Apex Pro Mini is thinner than other keyboards. , the user will use the keyboard to play games at night or deal with paperwork in the office without disturbing family members or colleagues due to the loud noise.
Personalized keyboard with SteelSeries’ own app
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini 2 versions can also use its computer app “SteelSeries GG Client” to personalize various keyboard settings, such as key activation speed of individual keycaps, dual activation settings (Dual Actiation) and color lighting settings, so that the use of the keyboard Game users can change the settings of individual buttons for easy identification.
▲SteelSeries GG Client application page
▲Users can change individual keys in the appstartup speed.
▲Users can also change the color of the keyboard lighting in the app.
▲Users can also change the color of the keyboard lighting in the app.
SteelSeries Exclusive Function Key Completes 106-Key Keyboard Features
In the two versions of Apex Pro Mini, there is a brand-exclusive “SteelSeries Function Key” at the bottom right of the keyboard. When you press and hold the SteelSeries Function Key, you can use the arrow keys, sound adjustment, and brightness adjustment functions according to the side print of the keyboard. . Moreover, when you press and hold the SteelSeries Function Key, the color of all buttons with side printing will turn orange, and the rest of the buttons will be displayed in their original colors. I think this automatic color adjustment function allows users to quickly identify the function keys.
▲After pressing the SteelSeries Function Key, some keys will turn orange.
▲After pressing the SteelSeries Function Key, some keys will turn orange.
In addition, the editor has always used a standard 106-key keyboard to write articles. I originally thought that typing on a keyboard without arrow keys would be very inconvenient, but after getting used to it, I found that it is actually very convenient to use the arrow keys of SteelSeries Function Key to select words.
0.2 mm key actuation speed is a surprise 60%, the size of the keyboard is just right
In terms of game performance, I tested it by playing “Apex Legends”, and found that under the startup speed of 0.2 mm, the direction of operating the characters is very smooth, and the keyboard design without pressing the bottom can make the operating characters move quickly. The effect is very good. After playing, the editor believes that the 0.2 mm button activation speed is most suitable for players who often play FPS games (first-person shooters), or those who need to respond quickly to games, while the 3.8 mm button activation speed is suitable for playing some strategic games. , or players who want to press the keys with a better feel.
In addition, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini’s 60% keyboard allows players to place their left and right hands closer together, making gaming more comfortable.
Measured Bluetooth connection function of Wireless version
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless version supports 2 Bluetooth connection methods, including 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0. If you use Bluetooth pairing, you only need to turn on the Bluetooth pairing on the upper left of the keyboard, and then connect it on the Bluetooth page on the computer. And its 2.4 GHz connection method only needs to turn on the 2.4 GHz function on the upper left of the keyboard, and then use the USB-C Bluetooth transceiver provided in the package to connect to the computer.
▲After the keyboard turns on the 2.4 GHz function, it will automatically turn white until the pairing is successful.
After the actual test, the editor thinks that its 2.4 GHz Bluetooth transceiver is too large. If it is connected to a MacBook, the adjacent interface will be unavailable. Therefore, if you want to use the 2.4 GHz method to connect, you must prepare your own USB-C. Connect the cable to the network extension cable (Extention Adapter) provided in the package.
Its Bluetooth 5.0 connection speed is also very fast. Basically, as soon as the keyboard Bluetooth is turned on, the computer system will instantly keyboard, and the computer will automatically connect to the keyboard after the keyboard is stored in the computer system.
Summarize
Both versions of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are very suitable for gaming and daily word processing, and the biggest surprise in the keyboard configuration is that the Apex Pro Mini adopts the space on the side of the keycap, which is convenient for users to use in the 61-key keyboard. to the function of the standard keyboard.