SteelSeriesApex 7 TKL Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – OLED Smart Display – USB Passthrough and Media Controls – Linear and Quiet – RGB Backlit (Red Switch)

I ended up going with the Apex 7 Brown version of the keyboard. I was coming from a Logitech G510 rubber dome keyboard.After using it for a while, I've noticed a few things:The keys are a little bit higher, so my hand sits at a slightly different angle than I've been used to for almost a decade; so that has been an adjustment. I never used the G510 wrist rest, and I currently don't have it on the Apex 7. I may need to start though because it does compensate a little bit for the shift in key height.Despite the description of the keyboard, the "tactile/quiet" doesn't quite accurately describe the sound. Playing games can be quiet if you're only using a smaller subset of the keys (WASD type deal) and press them less frequently, but if you are typing fast (or even average speed), the keys are noticeably louder than the rubber dome keys. I'd say so much louder that I cant imagine the clicky keys on the blue is much louder when typing. My wife has complained about the loudness of my typing now that we share an office.In terms of key feel, I really like it compared to the rubber dome. I wouldn't say it is similar in feel by any means though. It takes less force to push a key down, but because it feels less "mushy" I feel like my typing is more precise. If you were to go with the clicky blue version, I'd say you'd get more of that "key pressed" feel you get on the rubber dome when you push past the force required to activate a key. On the brown switches, you can push a key slowly down and only feel a minor bump when activating the key.Having per-key color customization and profiles is a neat feature especially if you're going for A E S T H E T I C S on your build. Definitely an improvement over the G510 in terms of brightness and color definition.The inclusion of 6 macro keys is a nice carryover option from the G510, and I definitely didn't need 18 of those. Haven't really had an opportunity to use this feature yet, but it is nice that it is there.One feature I miss is having a clock on the LCD screen. I'd say that as of now, the LCD screen is useless for my purposes with the current app options available. I currently just have a gif on it and the screen serves no functional purpose. The only apps available for the LCD screen from steel series are games I don't really play, or visualizers I won't ever use. If you want a clock, or to display song info (from things like spotify), you're going to have to find someone that has made it and install it manually, or code it yourself.The volume slider is exactly as it was on the G510 and I'd say its even better since you get a little tactile bump each time you spin it. This is a feature I'm glad is exactly the same.The single play/pause/skip key under the volume wheel took a little bit of getting used to, but works as intended. The only negative I'd say is that unlike the G510, when you use the button to play/pause/skip and your monitor is asleep (but PC is still playing music in the background) it wakes your monitors up. The G510 buttons did not do this, and it is something I miss from that keyboard.Final thoughts is that this keyboard has enough features (that I wanted from my G510) to warrant the upgrade. It is a nice keyboard that should hopefully last me the next 10 years. The difference between brown and blue switches is probably just feel and not necessarily noise level (and the reds didn't interest me at all).

Absolutely love this keyboard! I decided to spend a little more, and get this one, after returning a "hot-swappable" mechanical keyboard from a different make. The customization and convenience of this keyboard is where is stands out for me. I love the USB port on the back, and the colors are very vivid. The feel of the Red switches are perfect for me, It is a bit loud at times, but I kind of like that so it doesn't bother me. the sensitivity is pretty shocking actually. Sometimes I realize that just resting my fingers on the keys is enough to trigger the switches, which some people do not like. If that sounds like you, avoid the red switches. I think I'm going to get a different set of switches just to swap some that I do usually like to rest my fingers on. The build quality and design of any SteelSeries product is Top-Tier. Always highly recommended!

A very high quality product from steelseries. High quality and affordable. The keyboard Led back lighting is extremely bright and noticeable. Of course the led lighting can be dimmed. The customization of the keys are endless. The OLED screen is also very nice. Bright and highly customizable. The keys feel very nice, not too loud, very smooth, just all around amazing. The software (Steelseries GG) can be very clunky sometimes. But it is easy to use. Sometimes my custom illumination for my keys do not load up and I have to manually open up the software and select the content myself. Although a bit tedious at times but the keyboard doesn't just shut off. It defaults to one of their amazing/beautiful presets that it comes with. I highly recommend this product. Especially for people just getting into computers. I love this keyboard to death and would buy it over hundreds of times.

Updating my review after 8 months of use. Aug 13th, 2021After getting use to the feel of the keys I have come to realize this is the best keyboard I have ever owned. This is comparing it to my Corsair K95 Platinum XT keyboard, my Razer BlackWidow, and my Logitech 710+.The ability to adjust the actuation of the key, the actual action of the keys, and the lack of noise when typing cannot be beat. You do not have the traditional mechanical feedback but it is obvious when a key actuates. I have never mistyped due to lack of tactile feedback.The ability to adjust when each of the primary keys activates it fantastic. When I game I rest my finger a little harder on the A key than the WSD keys. To compensate for this I simply changes the activation setting on the A key. Problem solved.They keyboard is very responsive. I do not feel like I have to type any differently on this keyboard vs any of my others.The lack of noise is great for working from home and when on comms for gaming.The ability to switch between profiles directly that not only controls lighting but the key settings is great. I can work all day and then at the end of the day switch profiles directly from the keyboard is great.Yes, you may get a keyboard that is broken but if you can handle dealing with the return it is worth the trouble.The bad.The frame is aluminum so they must have a piece of ferrous metal inside the frame for the magnetic wrist rest to attach to. On my KB there is no ferrous metal on the left side so only the right side attaches. Frustrating.I picked the brown switches. They are defiantly quieter but feel like chicklet keys. Almost zero mechanical feedback to let you know the key actuated. This is after using reds for the last few years.The OLED display is basically useless since it sits flush with the KB. It needs to be raised at least a 1/2" to really be useful.The good.The form factor is compact but still has a number pad.The KB feels well made. I expect it it to last a long time.The software is easy to use for the basic functions. Per key lighting, profiles, OLED display.Overall a nice KB but the too common issue of poor quality control is frustrating. I have to return my KB and there are none in stock from authorized sellers so I am not able to get a replacement. Very frustrating.