Mini, mini. Yes, a keyboard with full sized keys will be no smaller than this one.
Steelseries Apex 9 is available in three versions, none of which are full-size. The Apex 9 TKL does not have the numeric keypad but has the F keys and multi-key arrows. The Apex 9 Mini, available with or without cable, is instead an extremely essential keyboard in which the arrow keys and more have also been removed. There remain the keys from CAPS to ENTER and from spaces to numbers.
The Apex 9 mini has a special key marked with the Steelseries logo. Pressing this takes you to many of the functions found on larger keyboards. These include the arrow keys, DEL, END and HOME. In addition, this key activates some special functions such as multimedia and keyboard lighting adjustment.
A very useful key is the quick recording of macros. It is started by the combination of Steelseries and X keys. The macro can be assigned to any key. A macro is a combination of keystrokes in a sequence that forms a function. For example, it could be quickly switching to a specific weapon. There is also a more advanced macro editor where you can create and edit specific macros.
Setting up the Apex 9 Mini is simple. The keyboard requires a free USB-A port. Also, download the Steelseries GG control program. With it, you have access to all the Steelseries products you use.
Steelseries GG is quite easy to use. Each product is readily available. With Steelseries GG you can reprogram every single key. ENTER too, something I don’t understand the use of. There are many options and a total of five profiles. Unfortunately, there are no pre-programmed macros for different games, but if you need macros, you have to create them yourself. Interestingly, there are two keyboard modes: gaming and office work. I find this useful as they are not always the same functions needed on the keys.
The Apex 9 Mini has RGB lighting where the keys can be individually programmed. There are some preprogrammed lights that light up your presence in one way or another. However, it seems a bit unnecessarily cumbersome to create your own lighting schemes. However, this is a minor detail. Overall, the programming works well.
The Apex 9 Mini has the optical switches called OptiPoint. They have a very short response time of 0.2 milliseconds which speeds up the player’s keystrokes. Additionally, the Apex 9 mini has two activation points. You can choose whether to record a keystroke after one millimeter or 1.5 millimeters. Good if, for example, you go from playing to office work or otherwise need a quicker response or something more precise.
You can change the switches according to your needs. You may want different types of switches on different keys. Choose between Linear, Tactile and Clicky.
Are you planning to use Steelseries Apex 9 Mini for office work such as word processing? This didn’t work very well for me. The lack, for example, of the arrow keys is for me a clear handicap in these tasks. It is a hassle to use the Steel series key. I like the TKL keyboard the most. They’re smaller than a full-sized keyboard, but they include things like DEL and arrow keys that I feel addicted to. Do you need a really slim keyboard for, for example, easy transport while gaming? Or are you running out of space on your desk? Do you also want a mechanical keyboard? Do you play often? If yes to these questions, the Apex 9 Mini is a really good choice.
Good
- Good switch
- Can change switches
- Each key is programmable with functions and lighting
- Simple but elegant design
- Stable
The bad
- Many functions are accessible only with the Steelseries key
- Sometimes difficult to read the symbol on the Steelseries keys
- It doesn’t work well for writing
- No preprogrammed macros
8
