SteelSeries is upgrading its popular Apex Pro Mini gaming keyboard to bring all the Gen 3 goodness, including rapid tap and rapid trigger, while also introducing a protection mode to reduce the risk of accidental inputs in clutch moments.
In my Gen 2 SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini review, I hailed the 60% design as uncompromising thanks to the level of customization possible via accompanying software. It has since fallen behind the other best gaming keyboards largely due to new features dominating the market, like the aforementioned rapid tap and rapid trigger, but now this new Gen 3 spec is here to make a splash.
While this Gen 3 update will introduce key features like rapid tap and rapid trigger, my eye is immediately pulled toward the addition of protection mode. This SteelSeries-exclusive feature dampens the sensitivity of selected keys, meaning the chances of accidental activations due to slips or “fat-fingering,” as SteelSeries calls it in a press release, are heavily reduced.
It does come across as somewhat contradictory, however, as responsiveness in gaming keyboards is crucial, so actively reducing sensitivity is the polar opposite, so I’m keen to see how this plays out during gameplay.
More good news is that the Apex Pro Mini will still use Omnipoint Hall Effect switches, which SteelSeries claims have a 20x faster activation time and 11x quicker response time compared to a traditional mechanical switch. Each key also has an adjustable actuation point of between 0.01mm and 4mm, which can be edited in the GG Quickset software.
If you’re concerned about dropping from a TKL or full-size keyboard to a 60% option due to losing inputs, it’s worth noting that the Apex Pro Mini handles this quite well. Using the SteelSeries key, you can unlock secondary inputs for most keys on the keyboard. As an example, while 60% gaming keyboards don’t have arrow keys, hitting the SteelSeries key + W, A, S, or D acts as arrow keys instead.
Alongside this Gen 3 update for the Apex Pro Mini, SteelSeries is also releasing a white version of the Apex Pro TKL, which has a $219.99 / £209.99 MSRP. Finally, rapid tap is also being rolled out to SteelSeries Apex 7 and Apex 9 keyboards today via a firmware update.
You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.