The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini is a customizable and fast compact keyboard with optical switches. With a 60% compact design, PBT keycaps, and an aluminum alloy frame, this keyboard is built to last.
As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for a keyboard that can keep up with my fast movements and quick reflexes. The SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini is one of the best keyboards I’ve used for gaming. The optical switches are incredibly responsive and have a lightning-fast 0.2ms response time. The 2-point actuation is also a great feature that allows me to adapt to any game. I love that I can change the registration depth from a speedy, light 1mm press to a deliberate 1.5mm keystroke.
The compact 60% form factor is also a plus for me since I have limited desk space. The side-printed functions retain full-size keyboard capabilities, and the double shot PBT keycaps provide a high-quality texture for enhanced keystroke feel and improved typing accuracy. I also appreciate that the keyboard has swappable switches, so I can customize, upgrade, and repair it easily.
Lightning-Fast Actuation and 2-Point Actuation
Featuring custom OptiPoint switches that offer lightning-fast actuation, The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard is an excellent choice for gamers.2ms response time, outpacing other leading optical keyboards by 33%. This means that users can play at the speed of light, with the keyboard registering their keystrokes almost instantly. Additionally, the keyboard features 2-point actuation, allowing users to adapt to any game by changing the registration depth. They can switch between a speedy, light 1mm press to a deliberate 1.5mm keystroke depending on the game they’re playing, providing a truly customizable gaming experience.
SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini : Swappable Switches
Users can easily customize, upgrade, or repair their keyboard with their favorite style of OptiPoint switch thanks to the SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard’s highly customizable design. This feature is particularly useful for gamers who prefer a certain type of switch for certain types of games. The hot-swap switches make it easy to change out switches without needing to disassemble the keyboard, saving time and effort.
SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini : Compact 60% Form Factor
By featuring a streamlined design, The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard saves desk space and leaves more room for mouse movement. Despite its compact size, it retains full-size keyboard capabilities with side-printed functions, offering a sleek and efficient gaming experience. The keyboard is also built with an aluminum alloy frame that ensures durability and long-lasting use.
SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini : Durable PBT Keycaps
Equipped with long-lasting and fade-proof double shot PBT keycaps, The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard is built to last. The high-quality texture of these keycaps enhances keystroke feel and improves typing accuracy, making it an ideal choice for gamers who prefer a tactile typing experience. The keycaps are also highly durable, ensuring that they won’t wear out or fade over time.
Great Gaming Keyboard with a Big Problem
Despite its lightning-fast actuation, 2-point actuation, swappable switches, compact form factor, and durable PBT keycaps, The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard has one significant flaw. The keyboard’s switches are made inconsistently, with some switches not being lubed properly, resulting in a terrible feeling and sound that is different from other switches. This inconsistency is not what users expect from a premium keyboard that costs $180, and it highlights a lack of quality control.
SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini : SteelSeries GG Engine Sucks
Although The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard has many great features, its software, SteelSeries GG Engine, is not one of them. Users have reported that the software is glitchy and inferior, and it often doesn’t look as good as other keyboard software. Additionally, some users have reported that the software doesn’t work well with their computer, making it difficult to customize their keyboard to their liking. Despite this flaw, the SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard remains a great choice for gamers who are looking for a compact and customizable keyboard that offers lightning-fast actuation, swappable switches, and durable PBT keycaps.
Best All-Around Gaming Keyboard for the Price
For gamers who want a high-quality, customizable keyboard that offers lightning-fast actuation, versatile 2-point actuation, swappable switches, a compact form factor, and durable PBT keycaps, The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini keyboard is a fantastic choice. The keyboard’s aluminum alloy frame ensures durability, and its side-printed functions retain full-size keyboard capabilities while saving desk space. While the keyboard is not perfect, with some users reporting inconsistencies in the switches and glitchy software, it remains one of the best gaming keyboards on the market for the price, with no major weaknesses.
Pros:
- The SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini features OptiPoint switches with zero debounce and a 0.2ms response time, making it one of the fastest keyboards out there.
- The keyboard has a compact 60% form factor, which saves desk space and leaves more room for mouse movement.
- The durable PBT keycaps provide a high-quality texture for enhanced keystroke feel as well as improved typing accuracy, making it suitable for both gaming and typing.
Cons:
- The keyboard is not wireless, which can be inconvenient for users who prefer wireless setups.
- The custom/proprietary switches are not truly 100% swappable, which limits customization options.
- The SteelSeries GG engine software is not well-designed and can be frustrating to use.
Read also:
- SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Review: The Ultimate Gaming Keyboard
- SteelSeries Apex 3 Keyboard – Affordable and Feature-Packed
- SteelSeries Apex 7 Keyboard for Elevated Gaming Experience
Conclusion
Overall, the SteelSeries Apex 9 Mini is a great keyboard for gamers who want a compact design, optical switches that are customizable and fast, and PBT keycaps. The build quality is excellent, and the software is easy to use. While it might not be the cheapest option on the market, it’s worth the investment for those who want a high-quality keyboard that will last.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Can the switches on this keyboard be customized?
Answer: Yes, the SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini features swappable switches, allowing users to customize, upgrade, and repair their keyboards by changing the switches to their favorite style of OptiPoint switch.
Question: Is this keyboard good for gaming?
Answer: Absolutely! With its OptiPoint switches, fast response time, and compact form factor, the SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini is one of the best gaming keyboards out there.
Question: Is the SteelSeries New Apex 9 Mini easy to set up and use?
Answer: Yes, the keyboard is very easy to set up and use. It comes with onboard memory and SteelSeries software that makes it easy to configure and update firmware. The keycap removal tool is also conveniently stored under the keyboard.
