(We'll get into just how many frames this system is capable of pushing in the performance section below.) The display quality is good, with vibrant colors. Ours is the 360Hz panel, a blazing-fast display fit for high-speed competitive multiplayer games.
#ALIENWARE SOFTWARE KEYBOARD FULL#
There are three options, 144Hz and 360Hz panels with full HD resolution and a 60Hz display with 4K resolution. The keyboard may be the new attraction, but the screen is just as important. (The Cherry MX keyboard is the top option the base keyboard is lit across four zones and a middle option includes per-key lighting but not mechanical switches.) A Fast Display and Plenty of Ports The keyboard also features AlienFX customizable per-key lighting, so there's no compromise on the fun. It's safe to say I'll miss these switches compared to standard laptop keyboards, and maybe someday we'll see them (or another mechanical solution) on additional notebooks. For gaming, it's easy to hold down, say, the W and Shift keys for a long time to sprint, as the switches are light. Typing is a breeze, and I found my fingers flying across the keys in no time. You know exactly when the keys actuate they don't take too much pressure to do so and they have just the right amount of travel. They emit a very satisfying click that's not too loud or high-pitched, and while the sound isn't too dissimilar from some laptop keyboards the feel is much improved. The key presses here are certainly lighter than those of many full-size mechanical keyboards in both feel and sound, but they do have some resistance. The feel is somewhere between a desktop mechanical keyboard and the pseudo-mechanical solutions some laptops have deployed over the years to replicate the real thing. It was developed in conjunction with Cherry MX, the leading name in mechanical key switches, though instead of a known product like Cherry's Blue or Red switches it features new switches made especially for this low-profile design. That said, this Alienware's keyboard is great, indeed better than I expected. Some compromise was inevitable with a laptop design. I'll say right off the bat that it doesn't give you quite the same typing experience as a desktop mechanical keyboard, which has room for deeper key travel and allows more complex switches with increased feedback. Second, if you're skeptical or think a low-profile mechanical keyboard is a contradiction in terms, I understand. First, I should make clear that the mechanical keyboard isn't standard equipment but an optional upgrade. The biggest external difference is the keyboard, so let's get into it. World's First: A Low-Profile Mechanical Laptop Keyboard It's bold and definitely stands out, so while I doubt everyone will like it, I appreciate the unique design. You can check out our R3 review if you want specifics, but I think it looks fine, though you can judge if it's to your taste from the photos.
Otherwise, the latest m17 brings you the same sci-fi-inspired aesthetic Alienware has used in all of its recent laptops and desktops. Of course, the laptop still tips the scales at a hefty 6.5 pounds and comes with a beefy power brick, reducing its appeal as a frequent travel companion. At 0.87 by 15.7 by 11.6 inches (HWD), it's a hundredth of an inch thinner than the R3, which is commendable given the mechanical keys and more powerful components-if anything, you'd expect it to be a bit thicker. The build quality remains strong, with a nice soft-touch plastic exterior and a sturdy frame. The design is almost identical, though there are some detail differences beyond the keyboard. A Familiar, Yet Alien, AppearanceĪt a glance, you wouldn't know that the m17 R4 was a different laptop than the R3. All of this adds up to our favorite current giant-screen premium gaming machine, and an Editors' Choice award. The battery life is still disappointing, and configuring a system with all the extras (like a 360Hz screen) will cost you, but the base design is top-quality and the options are plentiful. Both are a success, boosting gaming performance to an impressive new level and delivering a uniquely satisfying typing experience.
#ALIENWARE SOFTWARE KEYBOARD SERIES#
The new m17 R4 (starts at $1,812.99 $3,609.99 as tested) follows the 17-inch blueprint we've seen before, but adds two key features: an Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 Series GPU, and an optional, low-profile mechanical keyboard co-developed with leading key-switch maker Cherry. Since redesigning its flagship gaming laptops in 2019, Alienware has put out a number of stylish machines we've rated highly in both 15-inch and 17-inch screen sizes.