Three years ago, Alienware partnership with legendary keyboard switch-manufacturer Cherry to create a binary mechanical switch experience only for laptops. Athose switches are finally available in Alienware’s m15 R4 and m17 R4 laptops.
Unlike its previous MX Low Profile switches for laptops, Cherry’s new MX Ultra Low Profile switches are significantly thinner, just 3.5mm long, which enables Alienware to keep the same keyboard caps it currently uses, but with the satisfying click that people should expect nice mechanical switches.
Cherry is new switches go on a third of the thickness of its previous MX Low Profile switches (11.9mm), while also featuring a new design apparently inspired by the gull-wing doors on a Delorean.
By by increasing the width of the switch, creating a new two-piece keycap structure and using new stainless steel components, Cherry can make switches that are more stable and durable than before, with each switch being able to withstand up to 15 million keystrokes. And even with a relatively deep (for a laptop) 1.8mm wrench, Cherry’s thin links meant that Alienware could add it as an option on its m15 R4 and m17 R4 gaming notebooks without compromising on basic dimensions to change from the laptop.
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And as you would expect Alienware also includes keys on a laptop, but also includes AlienFX RGB lighting, 100% anti-ghosting technology and n-key scrolling to make sure every keystroke is properly registered.
The biggest downside to Cherry’s new MX Ultra Low Profile Switches is that they will pay a premium of $ 150 compared to the standard switches used in Alienware’s standard laptop configurations. That is not an insignificant price hump, which means people may be forced to choose between a built-in laptop keyboard or a separate mechanical keyboard that they can use when playing at home.
That said, as someone who often prefers the wider keychains and low-profile design you get with laptops for laptops, it’s quite nice to see that there’s still room for improvement. And with updated 11th-generation Intel processors and new Nvidia 30-series GPUs, Alienware’s m15 and m17 R4 laptops have very powerful options, provided you accept that you are willing to pay for the upgrades.