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SteelSeries Apex Pro vs IBM Model M

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      DimensionsBuild QualityErgonomicsHardware CustomizabilityBacklight FeaturesBacklight ClarityCable & ConnectorWireless VersatilityMacro Keys And ProgrammingExtra FeaturesIn The Box
    Typing Experience
      Typing QualityTyping NoiseKeystrokesAdjustable Input GranularitySwitches
    Performance
      Single-Key LatencyMulti-Key LatencyData TransmissionChord Split
    Software and Operating System
      Configuration SoftwareComputer CompatibilityWireless Mobile Compatibility
    Comments

Products

SteelSeries Apex Pro
IBM Model M

Tested using Methodology v1.4.1

Updated Aug 21, 2025 06:31 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro Picture
IBM Model M Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Magnetic
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Output Type
Adjustable Actuation
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Buckling-spring
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Output Type
No
Hot-Swappable Switches
No

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

IBM Model M

The SteelSeries Apex Pro is much better than the IBM Model M. You can change the keys' pre-travel distance, it has customizable RGB lighting, all keys are macro programmable, and it has an included wrist rest. On the other hand, the IBM still has a much better typing experience.

0 

Variants

  • Apex Pro (Black)
  • Model M (Beige)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex Pro Review
See IBM Model M Review
3 
0 

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Beige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Beige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Beige
Model M
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Beige
Model M
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

8.6
6.0

Backlight Features 
 

10
0.0

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
0.0

Chord Split 
 

7.9
3.9

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
7.3

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.8
7.1

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
5.4

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Top Picture
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.9" (4.9 cm)

Width  

17.2" (43.7 cm)
19.3" (48.9 cm)

Depth 
 

5.5" (13.9 cm)
8.2" (20.8 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A

Weight 
 

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
4.48 lbs (2.030 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build Quality Close Up 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Build Quality Close Up
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
PBT
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Side Picture
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4.5°
6°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
9°

Home Row Height 
 

33.0 mm (1.3")
30.5 mm (1.2")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
0.0

Customizability Overview 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Customizability Overview
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u
Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Soldered
Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Non-Customizable Design
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
0.0

Backlighting Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Backlighting Picture
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Max
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
No

Brightness Min 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Min
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
No

Effects 
 

Yes
No

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
0.0

White Shot 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro White Shot
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
8.7 ft (2.6 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Not Detachable
SDL
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

5.5
0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
No

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Extra Features
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
No Media Keys

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
No

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps & Num Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Bundle Picture
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
9.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

7.2
3.7

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

53.7 dBA
58.8 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Operating Force 
 

41 gf
70 gf

Actuation Force 
 

41 gf
50 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
2.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.2 mm
3.6 mm
Show Text 

Adjustable Input Granularity 
 

7.8

Input Linearity Graph  

See details

Analog Output Graph  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Analog Output Graph

Top Deadzone 
 

0.52 mm

Bottom Deadzone 
 

0.32 mm

Detection Ratio 
 

79%

Minimum Step Depth 
 

0.05 mm
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

OmniPoint
IBM Buckling Spring

Switch Type 
 

Magnetic
Buckling-spring

Feel 
 

Linear
Clicky

Output Type 
 

Adjustable Actuation
No
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
7.3

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Best Connection 
 

4.1 ms
17.2 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.5 ms
±3.4 ms

Wired 
 

4.1 ms
17.2 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.8
7.1

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

Key Press 
 

4.1 ms
16.8 ms

Key Release 
 

24.6 ms

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
5.4

Multi-Key Raw USB 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Multi-Key Raw USB
Compare High-Res
IBM Model M Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
125 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
No

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
No

Chord Split 
 

7.9
3.9

Chord Split Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.9 ms
23.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

8.7 ms
N/A
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Steelseries Engine
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
No

Profiles 
 

6+
No Profile
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Not Compatible
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Beige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Beige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Beige
Model M
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Beige
Model M
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
Walmart.com
 
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex Pro

IBM Model M

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs IBM Model M: Main Discussion

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