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(Pocket-lint) – The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Ghost is a limited edition keyless version of the company’s keyboard designs, offering an improved look and lots of great features.
It’s quite impressive right out of the box, but when you plug it in you can see the mainboard – one of the best RGB lighting we’ve seen – which makes the already amazing keyboard even more sparkle.
Apex 7 TKL Ghost is more than just looks. Let’s analyze the main points and small malfunctions that we encountered.
classy design
- Aircraft grade aluminum alloy frame
- Keyless design with additional functions
- Double Capture PrismCaps PBT
Once out of the box, it is immediately clear that the Apex 7 TKL will please. This is a nicely built keyboard with good sturdy build quality, an aluminum frame, and plenty of design features — which include everything from cable routing to candy-style keys and more.
Like the standard Apex 7 TKL, Ghost has a dedicated screen that you can use to display a variety of things, including Discord notifications, CPU and GPU data, and all sorts of other things (all programmable in SteelSeries GG).
At the far right of the panel there is also a wheel of a small size and a multifunction button; The latter plays music with a single tap, jump with a double tap and rewind with a triple tap. Frankly, we prefer dedicated media keys, but it’s always better to bury them in the function keys as a lot of other built-in keyboards do. It’s also part of the trade-off that this screen is on the top right.
The value and usefulness of this monitor will also vary depending on how you sit and the angle of the keyboard. If you like to slack, it’s hard to see because it’s hidden behind the switches. If you sit up straight, this is more noticeable. We’re also sad that Spotify isn’t showing up on screen, but at least Tidal will.
This keyboard also has a soft-touch magnetic wrist rest that snaps on nicely, detaching easily when you don’t need it. It’s not particularly cushioned, but in a way it feels comfortable on the wrists and provides comfort when typing. It has a yellowish white color and appears to be easy to clean, but remains suspended over time.
The only thing that may leave users with mixed feelings is the wires. In 2021, many keyboard manufacturers are making cards with removable USB-C cables so you can upgrade to your own custom cables and have some freedom of choice. In comparison, the Apex 7 TKL Ghost has a large cable — and it’s thicker because they’re two cables in one, so you get a pass-through port for connecting other devices. Thankfully, the cable routing system on the underside means you can take it out on the right, middle, or left side of the keyboard, so it fits your setup well, but it’s still a big ugly cable.
Pleasing switches and ergonomic caps
- Pass 84 keys N
- 100% anti-ghost
- SteelSeries Red Linear Mechanical Switches
- 2mm actuation, 4mm total stroke, 45cc power, 50 million clicks guarantee
Part of the satisfying glow of Apex 7 Ghost is Because of PrismCaps . These are candy-style double-stroke PBT keycaps. This means that it is partially transparent and therefore allows more light to pass through. We’ve seen other PBT keycaps cause some dullness in the key lettering due to the extra thickness, but that’s not an issue here. The lighting and lettering are fantastic in every sense of the word.
The added advantage is that the PBT design means the switches will last longer and should help maintain their eye-catching white color for a long time. The caps also have a nice bend, so they are finger friendly and comfortable when writing.
Below the switches are the SteelSeries red Line switches. These are basically variations of the classic red Cherry MX switches, with similar specifications. It’s great to play with, not too loud and quick to run at just 2mm. Unfortunately, Apex 7 Ghost does not have the same multi point switches adjustable as Apex Pro TKL , so you don’t have that great option of being able to set key-by-key operation.
The small weak point is the fasteners on the larger switches. The space bar, for example, looks a bit hollow, and there are small audio differences between the other stable keys (like the enter key and the big right shift key). Having said that, we heard much worse. There are no obnoxious noises or rattles that we have heard elsewhere.
Truly breathtaking RGB
- Key lighting and responsive lighting
We’ve already talked a bit about the RGB lighting on this keyboard and it’s worth continuing because it’s great. The combination of white design, touches of candy and various lighting effects work perfectly together.
First of all, it should be noted that the lighting on this keyboard is incredibly bright. If anything, it’s very bright. This is not a bad thing as it can be easily set using the F11 and F12 buttons. There are a number of satisfying lighting options you can switch to in the SteelSeries GG software.
These include not only different colors and effects, but also responsive options. For example, pressing a key will send a bolt of lightning over certain lines on the keyboard or extend the pattern from the key you touched.
From SteelSeries GG you can also use . files Various applications To create other types of magical effects. Make the switch lighting respond to the audio you’re listening to or convert the gif to RGB visualization. There’s a programmable key light as well, so there are plenty of options to play with.
Even more in the program
- Extra Layer of Actions with SteelSeries Meta Layer
The other most interesting feature is hidden in the program and not immediately obvious: download and Install SteelSeries GG And you’ll have access to all kinds of additional setup options. From there, you can customize the screen, set up profiles that will activate when you open certain games, reprogram keys, record macros, and more.
In one tab you will find an option for meta links. This is a secondary layer of buttons that you can program into the software. You can then access it by long pressing the SteelSeries button on the right side of the keyboard next to CTRL.
This means that you no longer have to worry about losing keys due to the TKL format and can instead access more, including macros. As you program them, the color also changes on the keys so you can see the keys you programmed on the identification layer at a glance. cool stuff.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 Ghost Edition is a great gaming keyboard in our minds. Exquisitely designed, comfortable to play, stunningly beautiful, and full of light as RGB lighting and dual programming via Meta Links.
It’s a shame the switches aren’t optical or the great Omnipoint on the Apex Pro TKL. However you cannot have everything. But this tablet is as close as possible to perfection.
also considered
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL
It’s not fancy in our opinion – but it has the added benefit of smart key switches with programmable operation, so you can individually adjust the operation of most keys on the keyboard.
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Corsair K65 RGB Mini
A smaller panel and maybe not as feature-rich, but it’s a real look. It’s also finger friendly which means we really enjoyed using it.
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Written by Adrian Wellings. Edited by Mike Lowe. Originally Posted in .
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