Three years ago, Alienware associate with legendary keyboard switch-manufacturer Cherry to create a binary mechanical switching experience for laptops only. Nbecause these switches are finally available in Alienware m15 R4 and m17 R4 laptops.
Unlike its previous MX Low Profile laptop switches, Cherry’s new MX Ultra Low Profile switches are significantly thinner, It measures only 3.5 mm in height, which allows Alienware to keep the same chewing gum keys it currently uses, but with the satisfying click that people should expect beautiful mechanical switches.
Cherry is new the switches are about one third of the thickness of its MX switches of the previous profile (11.9 mm), while incorporating a new design, which seems to have been inspired by the doors with seagull wings on a Delorean.
Of increasing the width of the switch, creating a new two-piece cheycap structure and using new stainless steel components, Cherry can make switches more stable and durable than before, with each switch designed to withstand up to 15 million keystrokes. And even with a relatively deep 1.8mm key travel (for a laptop) of the new Cherry switches meant Alienware was able to add them as an option to its m15 R4 and m17 R4 gaming notebooks without to change the basic dimensions of the laptop.
G / O Media may receive a commission
And as you would expect from keys on a gaming laptop, Alienware also includes AlienFX RGB lighting, 100% anti-ghosting technology and n-key switching to make sure every keystroke is recorded correctly.
The only major disadvantage of the new MX Ultra Low Profile switches from Cherry is that they will get a premium of $ 150 compared to the standard switches used in the default configurations of the Alienware laptop. TThe hat is not an insignificant price increase, which means that people may be forced to choose between a built-in laptop keyboard or the purchase of a separate external mechanical keyboard that they can use when playing at home.
That being said, as someone who often prefers wider keys and the low-profile design you get with laptop keyboards, it’s nice to see that there’s still room for improvement. And with upgraded 11th-generation Intel processors and new Nvidia 30 series GPUs, Alienware’s m15 and m17 R4 gaming laptops have plenty of powerful options, assuming you’re willing to pay for upgrades.