This year, SteelSeries released a limited edition variation of their award-winning Apex 7 TKL keyboard and Aerox 3 Wireless mouse. While not functionally different from their regular edition counterparts, these featured a limited edition translucent Ghost colorway that upped the street cred on these from a 10 to an 11. If you’re in the market for a serious gaming keyboard and mouse combo, you’ll want to seriously check out the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and Aerox 3 Wireless Limited Edition Ghost Collection.
STEELSERIES APEX 7 TKL
Starting off with the keyboard the Apex 7 TKL is a shortened version of their full-sized Apex 7 keyboard. Basically, it’s missing the number keys to the right of the keyboard for a more compact footprint. Not everyone wants something quite as small as a 60% keyboard or as large as a full-sized, this is a good compromise between form and function for those who still want some of the extra keys.
So what makes the Ghost Edition so appealing here is the colorway. Instead of the normal dark gunmetal body and black keys, the Ghost Edition has a frost white back with an aluminum silver front. The keys are done up in white on the top, but the sides are in a translucent white that let the RGBs underneath really shine through. SteelSeries calls these Double Shot PBT PrismCaps. Usually, the RGBs just shine under the keys but in the case of the Ghost Edition, they shine through the keys. It’s a really nice effect that makes the keys look like they’re glowing. This is probably the nicest use of RGBs I’ve seen on a keyboard.
In terms of performance, the Apex 7 TKL here utilizes their Red Mechanical Switches which are good for over 50 million keypresses. They’re linear and quiet and have 2.0mm actuation. The Apex 7 TKL also features an OLED Smart Display which displays useful information for adjusting settings, changing profiles, and seeing on-the-fly updates. There are also built-in multimedia controls, 3-way cable routing, and a detachable soft-touch magnetic wrist rest. Pretty much everything we loved about the original Apex 7 keyboard, we love here, just in s smaller, way more attractive package.
As usual, many customizable adjustments can be made through the SteelSeries GG app. This includes RGB colors, custom macros, and keybindings to truly make this keyboard yours.
Is there anything we don’t like? Well, there are some tradeoffs with losing several keys. Obviously, you no longer have a number pad, so those who rely on it will miss it here. Also, we seem to be missing the three other keys – prt scn, scrl lock, and pause. Now I don’t use the scrl lock or pause keys, but the prt scn key I used quite often. The only way around this that I can see is to use a Windows shortcut – Windows key+shift+S.
STEELSERIES AEROX 3 WIRELESS
The Aerox 3 Wireless is basically the same as the wired version of the Aerox 3 which we took a look at here. The main difference here is that this one is wireless and it features the Limited Edition translucent Ghost colorway. This is a great choice for those who want a lightweight wireless mouse with a long battery life per charge.
Starting with the looks, the Aerox 3 Wireless looks pretty much exactly like the regular wired version. In fact, they’re pretty much identical aside from a switch located on the bottom side of the mouse that changes it from 2.4ghz to Bluetooth. This is the only real way to tell them apart. Also, since this is the Limited Edition Ghost version, we get a translucent frost white body, that allows the RGBs inside to emit through the body. That means the whole mouse actually lights up and not just the areas where the holes are. This is very similar to the Ghost Edition Apex 7 TKL and they match up really nicely with each other.
Specs will be the same, however, in terms of performance. You’re still getting the pixel-perfect TrueMove Air optical sensor, lightening fast Golden Micro IP54 switches, 100% virgin grade PTFE glide skates, the ultra light-weight Holey Shell, and AquaBarrier for water resistance and protection from dust and dirt.
There are a few differences, however. The first is that the mouse weighs 68g instead of 59g. The second is that the Aerox 3 Wireless has a built-in rechargeable battery that is good for 200 hours of continuous usage between charges. The battery is really small but is where most of the added weight comes from. The third and last difference is the inclusion of Quantum 2.0 Wireless. This transmits data wirelessly at faster speeds and in a more reliable way. This includes both 2.4GHz wireless with the included dongle and Bluetooth.
By the way, the Ghost Edition only comes in Wireless, but you can use it wired if you use the included USB-C cable. Like most SteelSeries products, you can customize using the SteelSeries GG app.
FINAL THOUGHTS
SteelSeries already had winners here with the Apex 7 TKL and the Aerox 3 Wireless. The only difference here is that they made some great-looking hardware look even better. The translucent Ghost colorway is simply amazing, especially with the way the RGBs just shine through them. It gives both the keyboard and mouse a completely different look than probably anything else you’ve seen. They look especially good if you’re going for that all-white setup too.
Aside from the looks, you’ll be pleased with the plethora of game-changing features that will keep you competitive for years to come.
You can pick up the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL Ghost Edition here and the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Ghost Edition here on Amazon.
