More Obvious BS from Dell?? - Alienware M17 with Cherry Mechanical Keyboard
0 up · 0 down · 0 ratings
Promos
Get a $25 Ting Mobile credit (and enter to win a Galaxy S21+ 5G and Ting swag) at linus.ting.com Try Pulseway for free and start remotely monitoring and managing your server or PC at lmg.gg Whenever a laptop manufacturer says they've made a mechanical keyboard it's total crap, but Cherry and Alienware think they've finally cracked it. Buy Alienware M17 R4: geni.us Buy Alienware M15 R3: geni.us Buy ASUS Strix Scar G733: geni.us Buy Acer Predator 21X: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us
The video begins with a strong skepticism toward laptop mechanical keyboards, a trend the host deems often underwhelming or impractical. He recalls experiences across multiple brands and argues that most laptop keyboards labeled as mechanical fail to deliver a truly satisfying typing or gaming experience. The discussion then shifts to the Alienware M17 R4 and its collaboration with Cherry to introduce a Cherry MX ultra low profile mechanical keyboard, noting the challenge of fitting a mechanical switch into a slim chassis without compromising space. The host then evaluates the feel of the Cherry MX Browns used in the M17, comparing its travel, actuation, and bottoming out to traditional mechanical standards. Throughout, there are concrete comparisons to the Acer Predator 21X and the Asus Strix Scar G733, highlighting differences in switch feel, depth, and overall design philosophy, and how those choices impact gaming versus typing experiences. The video also covers performance aspects such as the RTX 3080 GPU, 360 Hz display, and cooling performance, noting that while the M17 is powerful, it is still a desktop-replacement with significant power draw and thermal considerations. In closing, the host weighs whether spending around $3,600 for the Cherry-enabled keyboard is worth it for most users, acknowledging future AMD versions and potential improvements, and praising the overall chassis engineering while cautioning about battery life and sustained cooling demands.
Topics · technology · hardware · reviews · gaming laptops · peripherals
Questions answered
- What is the user experience like on the Alienware M17 R4's Cherry MX keyboard compared to traditional mechanical keyboards?
- The host reports that the Cherry MX Browns on the M17 feel initially soft with a strong mid-stroke click, followed by a mushy bottom-out, which some viewers find less satisfying than traditional mechanical keyboards. Overall, they note better typing comfort than many laptop keyboards but acknowledge that the feel may not be universally preferred for all typing styles or gaming preferences.
- Does the Alienware M17 R4 justify its price with performance and features?
- The video argues that the M17 R4 offers top tier GPU power and a feature rich chassis, including a unibody magnesium CNC build, robust I/O, and a capability for external GPU docking. However, the price premium around $3,600 is questioned, especially since rival laptops offer similar core specs at lower prices, and battery life remains a concern in portable gaming scenarios.
- What are the main drawbacks of the Cherry ultra-low-profile keyboard in this laptop?
- Key drawbacks mentioned include a non-ideal actuation curve that feels too linear, a sharp strong click that can be jarring, and a mushy bottom-out that reduces overall typing satisfaction. The combination of limited deck rigidity and the compact keyboard feel may detract from a consistently high quality typing or gaming experience for some users.
- How does cooling performance affect the gaming experience on the M17 R4?
- Cooling is described as impressive for a mobile system with up to 165 watts for the GPU, but the CPU frequently approaches 100 degrees Celsius during gaming. The host notes that fans stay on and that using built-in speakers or open-back headphones may be less enjoyable due to cooling noise, highlighting a tradeoff between high performance and acoustics.