Products
SteelSeries Apex Pro
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021
Tested using Methodology v1.4.1
Updated Aug 21, 2025 06:31 PM
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BestBuy.com
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Mar 14, 2025 05:34 PM
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Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Magnetic
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Output Type
Adjustable Actuation
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Compact (65%)
Switch Type
Scissor
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Output Type
No
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex Pro
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro are keyboards made for very different uses. The Apple is a folio board made for the 11" and 12" iPad Pro and 11" iPad Air only. It uses a Smart Connector to pair to the iPad, and you can't use it with any other device. On the other hand, the SteelSeries is a mechanical gaming keyboard with proprietary OmniPoint switches that let you set the operating force to your needs. It's fully compatible with Windows and macOS, and although the customization software isn't available on Linux, all of the keys should still work.
Variants
- Apex Pro (Black)
- Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11" (Black)
- Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11" (White)
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Black
Apex Pro
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Black
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"
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Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
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Amazon.com
White
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"
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Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
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Black
Apex Pro
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Main Differences for
Gaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.6
3.1
Data Transmission
8.7
0.0
Computer Compatibility
10
0.0
Backlight Features
10
6.0
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Compact (65%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
0.2" (0.5 cm)
Width
17.2" (43.7 cm)
9.8" (24.9 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A
Weight
2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
1.32 lbs (0.600 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
7.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4.5°
0°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
11°
N/A
Home Row Height
33.0 mm (1.3")
6.3 mm (0.2")
Hardware Customizability
6.0
0.0
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
Backlight Features
10
6.0
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
RGB
Yes
No
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
No
Software Controllable
Yes
No
Backlight Clarity
9.0
9.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
N/A
Connector (Keyboard side)
Not Detachable
Apple Smart Connector
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
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
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
No Media Keys
Trackpad / Trackball
No
Yes
Scroll Wheel
Yes
No
Control Knob
No
No
USB Passthrough
Yes
No
Numpad
Yes
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
No
Lock Indicator
Caps & Num Lock
Caps Lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
7.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
18.0 mm (0.709")
Typing Noise
7.2
10
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
53.7 dBA
33.3 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
41 gf
60 gf
Actuation Force
41 gf
36 gf
Pre-Travel
2.2 mm
0.8 mm
Total Travel
4.2 mm
0.7 mm
Adjustable Input Granularity
7.8
Input Linearity Graph
Analog Output Graph
Top Deadzone
0.52 mm
Bottom Deadzone
0.32 mm
Detection Ratio
79%
Minimum Step Depth
0.05 mm
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
OmniPoint
No Marketed Name
Switch Type
Magnetic
Scissor
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Output Type
Adjustable Actuation
No
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.0
0.0
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
4.1 ms
N/A
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.5 ms
N/A
Wired
4.1 ms
N/A
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
N/A
N/A
Multi-Key Latency
8.8
0.0
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
N/A
Key Press
4.1 ms
N/A
Key Release
N/A
Data Transmission
8.7
0.0
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
N/A
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
N/A
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
N/A
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
No
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
N/A
Chord Split
7.9
0.0
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
5.9 ms
N/A
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
Computer Compatibility
10
0.0
Windows
Fully Compatible
Not Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Not Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Not Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Not Compatible
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
3.3
Android
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
iOS
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
iPadOS
Not Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
iPad
Check Price
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex Pro
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Walmart.com
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SteelSeries Apex Pro
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021
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SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021: Main Discussion
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