The Alienware Area-51 looks like a UFO, but I've identified its one feature every gaming laptop needs

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080) open on a desk, highlighting the RGB-lit keyboard and touchpad.

There’s no excuse anymore; gaming laptops need to step up their game if they want to land in my shopping cart. The best gaming laptops offer excellent gaming performance and displays, but I’m adding one more thing to my must-have list: a mechanical keyboard.

I recently reviewed the Alienware 16 Area-51, and it reinforced the idea that no gaming laptop should be without a mechanical keyboard, especially a premium one. They’re objectively better than membrane keyboards — just ask my fingers.