The Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 laptops will feature authentic Cherry MX mechanical key switches not found on other gaming laptops. If you're a mechanical keyboard fan (and even if you're not), this is a big deal.

Cherry arguably makes the best keyswitches in the industry, and having a thin enough switch on a laptop keyboard represents a major breakthrough in portable gaming technology. In fact, this innovation could arguably solve the biggest problem in gaming laptops today.

This information comes directly from Dell, the parent company of Alienware. Alienware and Cherry MX have collaborated to develop the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switch, which is only 3.5 mm high; compare and contrast with the original 18.5 mm Cherry MX switch and the 11.9 mm Cherry MX Low Profile switch.

For laptop enthusiasts unfamiliar with the wonderful world of mechanical keyboards, let me explain a little. Most keyboards on the market (including the vast majority of laptop keyboards) are "membrane" models. These inexpensive keyboards work by passing a signal through two electrical membranes each time a key is pressed. While inexpensive and easy to manufacture, they are prone to failure and do not provide satisfactory tactile feedback.

Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, work more like typewriters. Each key has a built-in switch with a mechanical spring. When a key is pressed down, that switch sends a signal directly to the computer, rather than relying on two large pieces of gelatinous conductive material.

The problem with mechanical keyboards, aside from the fact that they cost more, is that the keyswitches take up more space than the membrane for obvious reasons. Therefore, it is almost impossible to integrate a mechanical keyboard into a laptop computer.

MSI experimented with adding a SteelSeries fully mechanical keyboard to a Titan laptop a few years ago. While the keyboard certainly worked beautifully, it meant that the laptop became thicker and heavier. This defeats the purpose of having a gaming system that you can take with you anywhere.

The Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switches are no thicker than the average membrane laptop PC keycap. Dell claims that the switches offer a comfortable 1.8mm key travel and can withstand up to 15 million keystrokes per time. Also, like many common mechanical key switches, the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profiles generate noise when typing, though not as much as the company's famous loud Blue switches.

Tom's Guide has already reviewed the Alienware m15 R4 laptop and was impressed by its powerful hardware, strong gaming performance, and lightweight design. With a mechanical keyboard, this system should theoretically be even better.

We hope to have a hands-on with the new keyswitches soon. Until then, note that the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profiles add $150 to the m14 R4 laptop you customize, bringing the absolute minimum price for such a system to $2,300.