Photograph: Henri Robbins
Like almost every keyboard today, the Apex Pro Mini has multiple layers of sound-dampening inside the case. This includes a dense foam layer between the plate and PCB, a secondary foam layer underneath the PCB, and a thick piece of silicone filling the bottom of the case. Peeling back the silicone reveals two internal steel weights, which serve to make the keyboard feel more dense, along with preventing it from sliding around on your desk, which is not typically done on a keyboard with a plastic case. However, these weights and the silicone dampening make up a large part of the keyboard’s heft, leaving it feeling light and insubstantial when they are removed.
Instead of being held together with standard Phillips screws, the Apex Pro Mini uses a T6 torx bolt. This makes disassembly marginally more difficult for the average buyer, but T6 screwdrivers are cheap and commonplace. Once these screws are removed, the PCB itself uses the standard Pok3r/GH60 mounting points, meaning the majority of tray-mount 60% cases (such as the Tofu60) are compatible with it.
In the end, the Apex Pro Mini Pro is an alright keyboard. It feels good to type on, works well for gaming, and has acceptable build quality with a few strange details. It’s difficult to justify the $220 price. Both Wooting and Keychron have Hall effect keyboards with comparable functionality, similar build quality, and better software that can run in-browser.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
For $80 less, Keychron offers Hall effect keyboards like the K2 HE that have practically identical performance, the same tray-mounted assembly, and wireless connectivity. Or for $20 more than the Apex Pro Mini, the Keychron Q1 HE has all of these features plus an aluminum build and gasket mounting, which both make the typing experience far more enjoyable.
However, only the Wooting 60HE and SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini have a true 60% layout. While the Apex Pro Mini has smoother switches and features like mis-input protection, the 60HE has a higher 8K polling rate, far better software, and is available for $175 with otherwise comparable specs and performance. I don’t feel that the money is well-spent on the Apex Mini Pro. If you really like how it looks, try to wait for a sale.