Alienware game laptops can now be set up with Cherry MX switches

Alienware and Cherry have teamed up to play what both companies call the ‘first true’ mechanical keyboard on a laptop. Starting March 18, you can purchase the Alienware M15 R4 or M17 R4 laptops and upgrade to a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard for an extra $ 150 at checkout.

The laptops feature a new type of Cherry switch called the MX Ultra Low Profile, which is 3.5mm thick (compared to the 11.9mm size MX Low Profile switch). The switch is built with stainless steel wings that swing open and rear – depicting the way a DeLorean’s car doors open and close. (Cherry did not tease these new switches so subtly with a photo of the famous heavy car built with stainless steel). The rest of the switch is made of thermoplastic polymer that can withstand high temperatures.

Cherry

Cherry offers 1.8mm of total travel for this switch, which according to the company provides a satisfactory amount of feedback. It is also said that the design of the switch improves the accuracy of the typing, and that it self-cleanses with each pressure to prevent particles from messing it up over time. And, based on this tweet from Alienware, the switches look like they’ll have the characteristic ‘thin’ sound associated with mechanical keyboards.

As for the integration into the latest Alienware M15 and M17 R4 laptops, the companies say that the design of the laptop does not have to adapt at all to the new Cherry switch. The lids will still close just fine, which is proof of how thin the switch is.

When you purchase the Cherry upgrade, you get RGB lighting per key and AlienFX customization, along with a full N key with anti-ghosting, so it won’t overload if you press multiple keys at once. One thing to note is that when you get the keyboard upgrade, the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switches, apart from the feature drive, except for the feature drive.

I have not had the chance to try out these new switches, so I can not testify to how they feel, not only with other Cherry MX switches, but also with the switches that Alienware usually uses as well. Admittedly, $ 150 is a steep addition to a laptop that is going to cost you a lot of money, but it can end up being a good investment if you are obsessed with mechanical keyboards.