Three years ago, Alienware partnered with legendary keyboard switchmaker Cherry to create a binary mechanical switch experience only for laptops. N.ow those switches are finally available in Alienware’s m15 R4 and m17 R4 laptops.
Unlike previous MX Low Profile laptop switches, Cherry’s new MX Ultra Low Profile switches are significantly thinner, at just 3.5mm high, keeping Alienware the same chiclet-esque keycaps it currently uses, but with the satisfying click people have come to expect nice mechanical switches.
Cherry is new switches are approx a third of it the thickness of its previous MX Low Profile switches (11.9mm), while also incorporating 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 create switches that are more stable and durable than before, with each switch able to withstand up to 15 million keystrokes. And even with a relatively deep (for a laptop) 1.8mm key travel, the thinness of Cherry’s new switches meant that Alienware could add them as an option to its m15 R4 and m17 R4 gaming notebooks without changing the base dimensions of the laptop. .
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And as you would expect keys on a gaming laptop, Alienware also includes AlienFX RGB lighting, 100% anti-ghosting technology and n-key rollover to ensure every keystroke is correctly registered.
The only major drawback to Cherry’s new MX Ultra Low Profile switches is that they charge a premium of $ 150 compared to the standard switches used in Alienware’s standard laptop configurations. T.That’s not an insignificant price hike, meaning people could be forced to choose between a more luxurious built-in laptop keyboard or purchase a separate external mechanical keyboard to use when gaming at home.
That said, as someone who often prefers the wider keycaps and low-profile design you get with laptop keyboards, it’s nice to see there’s still room for improvement. And with updated 11th Gen Intel processors and new Nvidia 30 series GPUs, Alienware’s m15 and m17 R4 gaming laptops have many powerful options, assuming you’re willing to pay for the upgrades.