Razer Blade 15 review
The Razer Razer Blade 15 ranks as the #383 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 74. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #136-ranked connectivity among 740 laptops. Consider the MSI Creator 17 or MSI WS66, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Razer Blade 15 is a luxury gaming laptop that's as much about style as performance. With its sleek design, sturdy aluminum chassis, and impressive specs, it's a top-notch machine. But at a starting price of $2,500 and topping out at $4,000, it's a significant investment. While the Blade 15 excels in gaming performance, its battery life is mediocre, lasting only 5 hours and 42 minutes on our tests. The biggest question is: is it worth the hefty price tag? For those who value portability, style, and top-notch performance, the answer may be yes. However, for anyone on a budget or looking for a more practical option, there are likely better choices available.
Build
The Razer Blade 15 exudes luxury in its understated design, with a sturdy aluminum chassis that still looks clean after years. While some might find the lack of full RGB support on the backlit logo annoying, it's a minor quibble on a premium machine. The glass trackpad is one of the best on a Windows laptop, and new key caps add a touch of elegance. The upfiring speakers have been cleverly etched into the deck, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic while improving rigidity. A 1080p webcam rounds out the upgrades, ensuring this laptop feels like a true luxury item. It’s worth checking out Razer Blade 14, delivering remarkable build.
Display
The Razer Blade 15's display is a mixed bag. The 240Hz QD panel offers a great balance of size and resolution, but falls short in brightness, measuring around 275 nits. This can result in washed-out colors in sunny rooms. While it's not ideal for those who want a brighter screen, Razer also offers 144Hz and 360Hz panels on other models, as well as a new 240Hz OLED option. Overall, the display is good but not exceptional, and may not be suitable for all users. Give Razer Blade 14 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled display.
Performance
The Razer Blade 15 delivers top-notch performance with its latest 12-gen Intel H-series CPUs and Nvidia RTX 30-series GPUs. However, these components come at a cost, with the base model starting at $2,500 and topping out at $4,000 for a fully-loaded configuration. In gaming benchmarks, the Blade 15 performed well, hitting 124 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider on high graphics settings at 1080p. Results were similar in other titles, but battery life was disappointing, lasting just 5 hours and 42 minutes in our local video rundown test. When running off the battery, performance takes a noticeable hit, with frame rates dropping to 45 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Get your hands on Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i if you're looking for better performance.
Battery and Charging
The Razer Blade 15's battery life is a letdown, lasting just 5 hours and 42 minutes in our tests. This is similar to the Asus Flow Z13, but compared to rivals like the Alienware X14 and Asus ZenBook G14, it lags behind by 3-4 hours. When running off battery, performance takes a noticeable hit, with frame rates dropping significantly. The charging brick also deserves criticism, with its right-angle design blocking at least one USB-A port when plugged in. High-wattage power delivery via USB-C can't come soon enough to alleviate these issues.
Connectivity
The Razer Blade 15 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. It features two USB-C ports, one with Thunderbolt 4, three USB-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack. A full-size SD card reader is also included, making it easy to transfer files. The laptop's sturdy aluminum chassis provides ample space for these connections, ensuring users can stay connected without cluttering their workspace. You might prefer MSI Stealth GS77, designed with an upgraded connectivity for a better experience.
Features
The Razer Blade 15 boasts excellent performance, superb build quality, and understated design. Its features include a glass trackpad, larger key caps, per-key chroma lighting, and a plethora of connectivity options, including two USB-C ports and an HDMI port. For a superior features, Razer Blade Stealth could be the right choice.
Support and Maintenance
The Razer Blade 15 offers superior performance and build quality, but its battery life is a letdown, lasting just 5 hours and 42 minutes in local video rundown tests. Additionally, the laptop's performance takes a noticeable hit when running off the battery.
Pros
1. Excellent performance
2. Superb build quality
3. Understated design
4. Impressive display options
5. Ample connectivity
6. Upgraded webcam
7. Robust storage options
8. Strong performance
Cons
1. Luxury price tag
2. Limited storage capacity
3. Battery life issues
4. Performance hit when running off battery
5. Proprietary charging brick
6. Weighty and large
7. No full RGB support on the lid's logo
8. Flexibility in design
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