Razor Blade 2018 Laptop Review
Buying a laptop specifically for playing video games is a strange experience. It’s common knowledge that these devices aren’t anywhere close to being as powerful as an equivalent desktop computer, yet they often cost as much as, if not more than, the big black rectangles they’re meant to replace. Physical appearance is also essential.
Most gaming laptops come from the obnoxious “gaming laptop” school of design, with sharp corners and blinking lights, and are so heavy that you risk breaking your back if you try to lift them off your desk. However, Razor Blade 2018 gaming laptops have traditionally resembled the lovely, slim, portable laptops that many of us, myself included, use for work. The new, rather lovely 15.6-inch Razer Blade that I went to see a couple of weeks ago, complete with its 144Hz refresh rate and one of Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q chips, may very well be one of their best yet. Come on, let’s check it out.
Razor Blade 2018 Laptop Specifications
| Display | 15.6in 1920×1080 IPS, 60Hz/144Hz |
| Processor | 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8750H |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060/1070 |
| Battery | 53.1 watt-hour |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Dimension | 355x235x16.8mm, 2.07kg |
| Price | $2,479.90 |
Pros of Razor Blade 2018
- Stunning visuals, especially at 144 Hz
- Compact device
- Stylish and sophisticated layout
Cons of Razor Blade 2018
- In some cases, temperatures may rise to an intolerable degree.
- The performance of the battery is below average.
Design
The unibody is a single, cast piece of aluminium finished in a glossy black that not only looks but also feels incredibly high-end. To avoid any clutter, the keyboard is placed between two front-firing speakers, with the power button hidden in the right speaker. The green illuminating Razor Blade 2018 logo makes it appear great even when closed.
But, after a few hours of gaming, I found that the laptop’s surface was a total fingerprint magnet and looked very dirty. Well, it’s a good thing there’s a bundle of cloth around it. In its release, Razer boasted that this 15.6-inch gaming laptop was the thinnest in the world at just 16.8 millimetres. Packing so many powerful components into such a little laptop is an incredible feat, and Razer deserves a lot of credit for achieving it. Its weight of slightly over 2 kilograms makes it easy to carry in a backpack despite its slim appearance.
Display
After powering on and logging in, the Razor Blade 2018’s eye-popping display almost distracted me from the laptop’s otherwise impressive aesthetics. This 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080-resolution screen is a beauty. When I was playing The Witcher 3, I couldn’t help but pause the game every once in a while to take in the game’s gorgeous visuals, such as the crimson sky and lush greenery. Games look as if they were shot out of a confetti cannon, their bright worlds exploding from the screen in every direction thanks to the entire sRGB colour gamut. Even with the brightness set to half, the screen is quite luminous.
The matte finish also prevented distracting sun glare, which could have led to my character’s demise. If you’re using a standard model and want a faster refresh rate, upgrade to the 144Hz model. It makes the gameplay more fluid and responsive, which is especially helpful in fast-paced multiplayer games where every millisecond counts.
Typewriter and Mouse
When turned on, the Razor Blade 2018’s aesthetic appeal only increases. The RGB backlit keyboard lights up and flashes through a rainbow of colours, evoking the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis. Sure, this might get a little distracting when playing a game in a dark area, but you’re free to mess with the settings and turn the lights out if you want. The clack of the keys is perfect. As far as I’m aware, I’ve had no issues composing this evaluation. The separation between keys is sufficient to stop any unintentional grenades from equipping.
Battery
Despite the Razor Blade 2018’s lightweight and portable design, it won’t be able to function without a power source. It lasted only an hour of playing The Witcher 3 before completely shutting down. However, I maximized the visual quality by increasing the contrast and brightness to their maximum levels. I might even declare it the Second Coming if it lived for a very long time. To get the most out of your Blade 15, you can adjust a wide variety of settings. You can reduce the display’s brightness, reduce the processor’s power to extend the battery’s life, and even turn off the keyboard’s RGB lighting.
Performance
However, you can’t expect console-killing images from just any laptop with a fancy display. You will also require a high-end graphics card. You can play any game on Steam without worrying about the system requirements, whether you go with the base model’s NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU or the mid-range model’s GTX 1070 (which costs £2150).
Even if you’re a virtual reality nerd and want to use the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, this system has enough power to do it. Really, you’re not doing this machine justice. Combining the GPU’s power with that of the 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM allowed me to play even the most graphically intensive games at their highest settings, including The Witcher 3 and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Should You Buy It?
If you are in the market for a gaming laptop that combines powerful performance with a stylish and compact design, the Razer Blade 2018 is an excellent choice. Its high-end specifications ensure smooth gameplay even for the most graphically intensive games, and its sleek, lightweight build makes it a great option for gamers who need a portable device. However, be prepared for higher operating temperatures and shorter battery life, which are common trade-offs for such a powerful, slim laptop. If these factors are not deal-breakers for you, the Razer Blade 2018 is a worthwhile investment.
Verdict
The Razer Blade 2018 is a remarkable gaming laptop that stands out for its sleek, high-end design, stunning 144Hz display, and impressive performance. With its powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060/1070 GPU and 8th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, it handles even the most demanding games with ease. However, it does have its drawbacks, including higher-than-average temperatures during intense gaming sessions and a relatively short battery life. Despite these issues, the Razer Blade 2018 excels in delivering a portable yet powerful gaming experience, making it a strong contender in the gaming laptop market.
FAQs
Q: How is the speaker quality on the Razer Blade 2018?
A: The speakers are adequate for general use, but they can sound strained when the volume is turned up high.
Q: Does the Razer Blade 2018 have a backlit keyboard?
A: Yes, it features a Razer Chroma RGB backlit keyboard, which can be customized using the Razer Synapse software.
Q: What is the battery life of the Razer Blade 2018?
A: The battery life is below average for gaming laptops, lasting only about an hour during intensive gaming sessions. However, under less demanding conditions, such as video playback, it can last up to 8 hours.
Q: Is the Razer Blade 2018 suitable for VR gaming?
A: Yes, the Razer Blade 2018 is powerful enough to handle VR gaming with devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
