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Razer Slims Down Blade, Debuts MacOS-Compatible eGPU Enclosure (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Today, Razer debuted big updates to its Razer Blade laptop, focusing on design and performance to usher the gaming notebook into 2018. While the new Blade still looks unmistakably "Razer," its design has changed dramatically for the better. Razer upped the screen size from 14 inches to 15.6 inches, reducing the surrounding bezels to just 4.9mm so that the device fits in with the other nearly bezel-less ultrabooks popular today. Razer is offering 1080p 60Hz or 144Hz panels, along with a 4K touchscreen option as well. The larger display panel makes the laptop slightly heavier than its predecessor, and it's a bit wider overall, too (4.7 pounds and 9.3 inches, respectively). However, the slimmer bezels, sharper edges, and aluminum unibody make the new Razer Blade look like a clear upgrade from the previous model.

Another new addition to the Razer lineup is the Core X, a Thunderbolt 3 external graphics enclosure with space for large, three-slot wide graphics cards. The Core X joins the Core V2 graphics enclosure as one of Razer's solutions for gamers who want to add desktop-like graphics power to their laptops -- and it's more affordable than the V2 as well. While it's a bit stockier than Razer's existing enclosure, the Core X has an aluminum body with open vents to properly handle heat, regardless of the task at hand. The Core X connects to a compatible notebook through one Thunderbolt 3 port, providing eGPU access and 100W of power thanks to its 650 ATX power supply. It's both cheaper and seemingly easier to use than the V2, but that comes with some compromises: the Core X doesn't have Chroma lighting, and it lacks USB and Ethernet ports.
Some other specs of the new Blade include a Intel Core i7-8750H processor, Nvidia GTX 1060 or 1070 with Max-Q graphics, up to 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of PCIe-based SSD, and 80Whr battery. There are three USB-A 3.1 ports, one proprietary charging port, one Thunderbolt 3 port, a Mini DisplayPort, and an HDMI port.

3 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. How much spyware on this thing? by Jason1729 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I really wanted to buy a razer blade a couple of years ago, Then I got a Razer Blackwidow Chroma keyboard

    To use the keyboard as more than a dumb USB keyboard, you have to have an always-on connection to the internet. If they need that kind of invasive control of your computer to blink a few colored lights, how invasive is an actual computer from them? Never buy Razer products.

  2. Re:Hmm... by viperidaenz · · Score: 2

    You'd better wait for DDR5 then. DDR4 SODIMM modules max out at 16GB. Laptops tend to only have two slots.

    Alternatively, spend a shitload of money on a massive "laptop" that has 4 slots
    http://www.eurocom.com/ec/conf...

  3. Razer Blade vs. MacBook Pro by Brian+Kendig · · Score: 2

    I've been a Mac fan for a long time, but I use the latest MacBook Pro for work and I don't like it - useless Touch Bar, poor keyboard, poor battery life, no USB-A or HDMI ports, high price (starts at $2400 with a dedicated graphics chip), &c.

    I recently played with a Razer Blade 14 and I was impressed; $1900 from Amazon for better specs. (Windows 10 is tolerable enough and unobtrusive enough for my tastes.) Though, the Razer reviews are extremely hot or cold; some people love them, others have had endless problems with hardware failures and recalcitrant tech support. Looks like this is the price of high-end Windows laptops at the moment.

    My next laptop might be a Razer Blade. Change my mind.