Razer is back in the gaming laptop space with the Blade 16 and Blade 18, both of which have serious power behind them.
Both machines will be “equipped with the latest 13th-generation Intel Core i9 HX chipset” and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 40-series GPU, capable of running up to 175W TGP (Total Graphics Power). 175W refers to the amount of power sent directly to the GPU to ensure high performance, but not power efficiency as it would drain the battery very quickly.
Judging by the description, there will be multiple models of Blade laptops corresponding to a particular graphics card. A full list is unknown.However, we know that one will accommodate the powerful RTX 4090. As impressive as the hardware is, it’s the the difference between the two (opens in a new tab). The Blade 16 is arguably the less powerful of the two, but it still packs an impressive amount of power.
impressive difference
Razer claims Razer Blade 16 (opens in a new tab) Featuring “the world’s first dual-mode mini-LED display,” which means it has two native resolutions: Ultra HD Plus (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 120Hz, also known as Creator Mode, and Full HD Plus ( 1920 x 1080 pixels) at 240Hz, called Gamer Mode.
As the name suggests, each resolution is better suited for specific tasks. Creator Mode allows content creators to work in 4K resolution for the best possible quality. Game Mode, on the other hand, drops the resolution in exchange for smoother gameplay. The “Plus” aspect refers to additional features that further improve display quality, such as support for HDR 1000 and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for great visuals.
The Razer Blade 18 takes a different approach, as it’s designed to replace a desktop computer. Instead of two native resolutions, it sports a 240Hz Quad HD Plus (2560 x 1440 pixel) display, which Razer claims is the “perfect” middle ground for work and play. While it lacks HDR 1000, the device still supports all DCI-P3 color gamuts.
other notable features blade 18 (opens in a new tab) Products that solidify its “desktop replacement” status include a “5MP camera, THX spatial audio 6-speaker array, upgradeable components, comprehensive port selection, and ultra-efficient vapor chamber cooling.” The Blade 16 has similar features, but to a lesser extent . For example, instead of a 6-speaker array, it has four. The Blade 18’s cooling system has three fans, the 16 has two, and so on.
availability
Speaking of the Razer Blade 16, there is one small issue worth mentioning.according to a Engadget’s report (opens in a new tab), switching between creator mode and player mode is very “clumsy”. Users will have to completely shut down the laptop and restart it to change the resolution; you can’t just go into the menu.
Clumsiness aside, if you’re interested in any of these, be prepared to drop your bucks. The Razer Blade 16 and 18 are priced at $2,699.99 and $2.899.99, respectively. Both launch in the first quarter of 2023, so they should go on sale within the next few months.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, check out our guide on TechRadar Best Cheap Gaming Laptops January 2023. We got some for less than $700.