Verdict: The SteelSeries Apex [RAW] was a clever, lower-cost 2013 version of the original Apex. Its 17 physical macro keys, two software layers, quiet low-profile membrane switches and large integrated wrist rest remain useful for MMO, strategy and productivity users. In 2026, however, it is a discontinued used-market keyboard. Buy or keep one only when it is inexpensive, fully tested and you specifically want that macro-heavy layout.
What the Apex [RAW] was—and what “RAW” removed
The Apex [RAW] was not a radically different keyboard architecture. It used the same broad concept as the original SteelSeries Apex: a large, full-size membrane gaming keyboard with low-profile keys, software remapping and extensive macro support. SteelSeries reduced the cost by removing several premium features.
| Feature | Apex [RAW] | Original Apex |
|---|---|---|
| Switches | Membrane/rubber dome | Membrane/rubber dome |
| Lighting | White illumination, eight intensity levels | Multicolor lighting with five zones |
| Macro hardware | 17 physical keys, two software layers; commonly described as up to 34 assignments | More macro capacity and layers |
| Media controls | Shared or function-layer controls | Dedicated controls |
| USB passthrough | None | Two USB ports |
| Cable | Standard rubberized cable | Braided cable |
| Form factor | Oversized full-size layout | Similar oversized layout |
Contemporary reviews put its U.S. launch or review price at roughly $60–$69.99, but that is historical pricing, not a 2026 valuation. See the TweakTown review, Hardware Secrets review and NikkTech coverage for the period specifications.
Design and desk-space requirements
The RAW is an unusually large keyboard, measuring about 500 × 220 × 30 mm and weighing approximately 1.2 kg (2.7 lb), with minor differences between regional reviews and unit conversions. It combines a full number pad, extra macro columns, an integrated wrist rest, low-profile keycaps and an angled gaming chassis. Adjustable feet and rubber pads help it stay planted.
The Tool Desk
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- TRIPLE THREAT POWERED BY QUICKSET — Apex Pro is the only line of keyboards in the world with Rapid Trigger, Rapid Tap, and Protection Mode (Patent Pending), activated for your game in seconds
- RAPID TRIGGER FOR FASTER ACTIONS — Stop fast, start your next move faster. Resets the moment you release a key.
- RAPID TAP FOR FASTER MOVEMENT — Snaps to your latest key press to strafe and dodge faster.
- PROTECTION MODE STOPS MISTAKES — Patent pending feature reduces accidental keypresses on nearby keys - no more accidental ults
- QUICKSET AUTO-PRESETS — Easy setup in seconds, auto-launch pro-level configs when your game loads.
What works
- There is room for many game or application shortcuts without sacrificing the number pad.
- The fixed wrist rest and broad chassis feel stable for users who like a supported, planted setup.
- Low-profile keys are easy to reach and the board operates quietly compared with clicky mechanical keyboards.
What does not
- The footprint is a poor match for small desks, low-sensitivity mouse users or compact esports layouts.
- The macro columns and unusual arrow-key treatment require an adjustment period and can cause accidental presses.
- The integrated wrist rest cannot be repositioned or removed.
Membrane typing and gaming feel
The switches are rubber-dome membrane switches, not mechanical, semi-mechanical or Hall-effect switches. Reviews describe a soft, quiet, low-profile press. That suits people who dislike click noise or prefer light key presses, but the limited tactile feedback can make touch-typing less precise for users accustomed to defined tactile or clicky switches. A decade-old sample may feel considerably softer, sticky or less consistent than a new review unit because membrane domes and key mechanisms age.
For MMO, strategy, simulation and application-heavy use, the large macro area can be more valuable than switch feel. Competitive FPS players generally benefit more from predictable actuation, compact dimensions and unrestricted simultaneous input than from 17 extra keys, so the RAW is a less compelling fit.
Macros, layers and profiles
SteelSeries software allowed keys to be remapped, macros to be recorded and profiles to be assigned to different games or applications. The 17 physical macro keys used two layers, a design commonly described as up to 34 programmable assignments. Some contemporary coverage reported 32 total commands instead, so treat 34 as the commonly cited maximum for the two-layer arrangement rather than an absolute software guarantee.
- Remapping: replace a key with another key or function.
- Macro recording: assign a sequence of inputs to one key.
- Profiles: save different layouts for games or applications.
- Layers: reuse the same physical macro area for another set of assignments.
The keyboard predates SteelSeries GG and was built around earlier SteelSeries Engine software. Current GG may not recognize the RAW, preserve every old profile or expose every original function on every operating system. Check detection and profile behavior before paying a premium, and never assume that firmware for another Apex model is safe to flash. Game, tournament and anti-cheat rules may also restrict macros.
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Rank #2
- Ip32 water resistant – Prevents accidental damage from liquid spills
- 10-zone RGB illumination – Gorgeous color schemes and reactive effects
- Whisper quiet gaming switches – Nearly silent use for 20 million low friction keypresses
- Premium magnetic wrist rest – Provides full palm support and comfort
- Dedicated multimedia controls – Adjust volume and settings on the fly
White backlight and missing premium features
The RAW provides full-key white illumination with eight brightness levels. It is practical for locating legends in a dark room and gives the stripped-down model a cleaner appearance than multicolor lighting. It does not provide per-key RGB or the original Apex’s five-zone color system. On used examples, inspect for uneven illumination, failed LEDs, worn legends and cloudy plastic.
The cost reductions also removed dedicated media keys, two USB passthrough ports and the original’s braided cable. Those omissions matter only if you specifically need them; the central compromise is accepting membrane switches and a very large chassis in exchange for the macro system and lower historical price.
Anti-ghosting: useful, but not full-key rollover
Contemporary specifications commonly describe 20 designated anti-ghosting keys and support for up to six simultaneous presses. That means the RAW should handle combinations in its intended gaming cluster, not every possible combination across the board. Testing of the closely related Apex found failures or interference outside the protected area; AnandTech documents those limitations in its Apex review.
Rank #3
- Hybrid blue mechanical gaming switches – The tactile click of a blue mechanical switch plus a smooth membrane – guaranteed for 20 million keypresses
- OLED smart display – Customize with gifs, game info, discord messages, and more.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame – Manufactured for unbreakable durability and sturdiness
- Dynamic per-key RGB illumination – Gorgeous color schemes and reactive effects for every key
- Premium magnetic wrist rest – Provides full palm support and comfort
Do not equate the marketing term “anti-ghosting” with unrestricted NKRO. Before buying a used unit, test the combinations your games actually use:
- W + A + Shift + Space
- W + A + Space + Tab
- Movement keys plus number-row abilities
- Arrow keys alongside nearby navigation keys
- Any combination involving macro keys
Durability and the used-market reality
The original chassis was generally considered solid and stable. NikkTech recorded a historical manufacturer claim of up to 5 million keystrokes for the rubber-dome keys; that was a specification claim, not a promise that a surviving unit has that many presses remaining. Owner discussions can illustrate long service lives and eventual failures, but they are anecdotal rather than controlled reliability data.
After roughly a decade, condition matters more than the original construction. Check for dead or intermittent keys, double registration, worn domes, failing LEDs, damaged cable insulation and broken feet or wrist-rest supports. Replacement parts and model-specific support may be difficult to find.
Rank #4
- The compact tenkeyless design is the most popular form factor used by the pros, allowing you to position the keyboard for comfort and to maximize in-game performance.
- Our whisper quiet gaming switches with anti-ghosting technology for keystroke accuracy are made from durable low friction material for near silent use and guaranteed performance for over 20 million keypresses.
- Designed with IP32 Water & Dust Resistant for extra durability to prevent damage from liquids and dust particles, so you can continue to play no matter what happens to your keyboard.
- PrismSync RGB Illumination allows you to choose from millions of colors and effects from reactive lighting to interactive lightshows that bring RGB to the next level.
- Dedicated Multimedia Controls with a clickable volume roller and media keys allowing you to adjust brightness, rewind, skip or pause all at the touch of a button.
Used-purchase checklist
- Test every alphanumeric key and both Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Tab, Space, Enter, Backspace and arrow keys.
- Test all 17 macro keys individually.
- Look for missed inputs, sticky presses and double presses.
- Cycle through all brightness levels.
- Inspect the cable and strain relief, feet, chassis and wrist-rest structure.
- Connect directly to a motherboard USB port, not a hub.
- Test in a basic text editor to separate hardware faults from game or software problems.
- Check whether current SteelSeries software detects it, then try another computer if necessary.
- Test your actual in-game key combinations before completing a premium purchase.
Software troubleshooting in 2026
There is no verified current model-specific support path that guarantees full Apex [RAW] functionality. If a unit is not behaving correctly:
- Connect it directly to a motherboard USB port.
- Test ordinary typing outside the game.
- Check detection in SteelSeries software.
- If detected but profiles fail, reinstall or update the current SteelSeries GG installation.
- Test every macro and the primary gaming cluster manually.
- Try a second computer to identify system-specific issues.
- If only certain keys fail or double-register, suspect membrane wear rather than software.
- Do not install firmware intended for another Apex model.
Apex [RAW] versus a modern SteelSeries keyboard
Current SteelSeries products are a different class of hardware. The Apex Pro Gen 3 uses OmniPoint 3.0 Hall-effect switches, adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, Rapid Trigger, Protection Mode, Rapid Tap, per-key RGB, an OLED display and current GG/QuickSet features. SteelSeries announced U.S. MSRPs of $239.99 for the full-size model, $219.99 for TKL and $269.99 for TKL Wireless; these are MSRP signals, not guaranteed sale prices.
An older Apex Pro page displayed $199.99 and out-of-stock status when checked. Availability changes, but its mechanical adjustable switches, OLED controls, USB passthrough, detachable cable and newer software still illustrate the generational gap.
Modern alternatives generally provide mechanical or Hall-effect switches, better rollover, detachable or USB-C cables, smaller form factors, current firmware and supported software. They cost more than the RAW’s historical launch price, but they avoid the principal risks of buying a decade-old discontinued membrane keyboard.
Who should buy, keep or avoid it?
Keep or buy at a low price
- You specifically need many physical macro keys.
- You prefer quiet membrane presses and a full-size number pad.
- You value an integrated wrist rest and have enough desk space.
- The unit is clean, fully tested and software detection is acceptable.
- You do not need RGB, wireless operation, USB passthrough or mechanical switches.
Avoid it
- The seller asks modern mechanical-keyboard money.
- The keyboard is untested, intermittent or double-registering.
- You need reliable full-board simultaneous input or unusual multi-key combinations.
- You want current operating-system support, warranty coverage or modern firmware.
- You prefer tactile or mechanical switches, or have limited desk space.
The sensible 2026 approach is to judge the individual unit, not the old $60–$69.99 launch figure. A tested, inexpensive RAW can be a distinctive retro macro keyboard. A defective or overpriced one is difficult to justify when current boards offer better switch technology and support.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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