Today, Razer launched its latest top-tier Razer Blade gaming laptop. This new system promises to impress gamers worldwide with a series of high-performance enthusiast parts wrapped up in a sleek and stylish 14-inch chassis. Pricing starts at $2,199.
The Razer Blade comes with a great list of hardware. It has a quad-core Intel Core i7-4720HQ clocked at 2.6 GHz (up to 3.6 GHz) and a 47W TDP. On the graphics side of the equation, we are presented with an Nvidia Geforce GTX 970M loaded up with 3 GB of GDDR5.
To make performance even better, the Razer Blade makes use of the new SATA M.2 standard with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB SSD storage options. The system comes equipped with 16 GB of DDR3L running at 1600 MHz. Other specs include Windows 8.1 64-bit, three USB 3.0 ports, stereo speakers, Intel Wireless-AC 7260HMW 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 network connectivity, 2MP full HD webcam, and a built-in 70Wh lithium ion polymer battery.
Razer has taken the time to custom design mouse and keyboard for the new system. The company built a backlit anti-ghosting keyboard featuring programmable keys with Razer Synapse 2.0 technology.
The laptop has a pair of stereo speakers on the front of the case. Unfortunately, the performance of the audio codec used, the Realtek ALC283.
The closest comparison is to look at the highest-performing ALC2XX codecs that have information available. These other codecs only net a signal to noise ration (SNR) of 100dB, on par with modern low-end $50 motherboards, and it is likely that the ALC283 performs similarly. So some may have had hope for better sound!
Al lthis powerful hardware will drive a 3200×1800 LED-backlit IGZO capacitive multi-touch display. For power saving, the laptop makes use of Nvidia’s Optimus technology, in conjunction with integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600, to help preserve battery life when not playing games.
Due to the integrated graphics only supporting an HDMI 1.4a connection, and not being compliant with the HDMI 2.0 standard, Razer was forced to choose between making use of Optimus technology or running the HDMI port directly off of the GPU without Optimus support. The company decided to just stay with the HDMI 1.4a standard, but most users shouldn’t find this a major issue, as it is unlikely that the laptop’s Nvidia GTX 970M would have been powerful enough for gaming at 3820×2160 or the full 4096×2160 resolution while maintaining 30 frames per second,.
At a height of just 0.7 inches (17.8 mm) and impressive hardware under the hood (namely, the combined 128 W TDP of the CPU and GPU), heat would seem to be an issue. However, Razer has taken a number of steps to expel heat. The laptop features an aluminum body, which is designed to help by working as a heatsink. Plus, knowing the area around the keyboard would be the primary areas touched by users, Razer regulated part placement and air flow so as to cause heat to be dissipated through the aluminum casing at areas less frequently touched by users.
To make the cooling system even more efficient, Razer implemented a dual-fan cooling solution that promises much less noise and greater efficiency than a single-fan configuration. This is made possible by removing the optical disk drive, which today has become almost completely obsolete, and instead making use of the M.2 Sata port.
The design seems to be a match for the great specs. Not only is the cooling system well thought-out, the outside casing screams luxury. The Razer Blade is detailed in a green and black color scheme; matching Razer’s colors, even the USB ports are green; and the keys are backlit with a green glow.
On the back we find the Razer logo placed center field. The logo is LED-lit and glows the same green color as the USB ports and the keyboard. “Razer Blade” is centered below the display in a way that looks good and is unobtrusive.
“When we debuted the Razer Blade in 2013, we set a precedent for how to build the best gaming laptop,” said Min-Liang Tan, Razer’s co-founder and CEO. “We continue to listen as needs evolve, and this is the latest example of Razer rising to the challenge and giving gamers the extra edge that they want.”
Razer also announced a Full HD version of the Razer Blade. It has the same CPU and GPU as its bigger brother, but it has half the RAM (8 GB), only offers the 256 GB M.2 SATA SSD option, and of course is has a different display (an LED-backlit 1920×1080 panel). The Full HD Blade starts at $1,999.
