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Razer swings back at gaming laptops with the Blade 16 and Blade 18, both of which have some serious power behind them.
The two machines will be “equipped with the latest 13th generation Intel Core i9 HX chipset” and a GeForce RTX 40-series GPU from Nvidia 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 drains the battery quite quickly.
Judging by the description, there will be multiple models of the Blade laptops that match a specific graphics card. The full list is unknown. However, we know that one will house the powerful RTX 4090. As impressive as the hardware is, what really gets us is the differences between the two (opens in new tab). Arguably the Blade 16 is the less powerful of the two, but it still packs impressive features.
Impressive differences
Razer claims the Razer blade 16 (opens in new tab) has the world’s first dual-mode mini-LED display, which means it has two native resolutions: Ultra HD Plus (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 120 Hz, also known as Creator Mode, and Full HD Plus (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 240Hz, called Gamer Mode.
As the names suggest, each resolution is better suited for a specific task. Creator mode allows content creators to work in 4K resolution for optimal quality. Game Mode, on the other hand, softens the resolution in exchange for smoother gameplay. The “Plus” aspect refers to the accompanying features that further improve the display quality, such as support for HDR 1000 and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for brilliant images.
The Razer Blade 18 takes a different approach, as it’s intended as a replacement for desktop computers. Instead of two native resolutions, it sticks to a Quad HD Plus display (2560 x 1440 pixels) at 240 Hz which Razer claims is the “perfect” middle ground for both work and play. And while it doesn’t have HDR 1000, the device still supports the entire DCI-P3 gamut.
Other notable features on the Knife 18 (opens in new tab) confirming its status as a “desktop replacement” includes “a 5MP camera, a 6-speaker THX spatial audio array, expandable components, an extensive port selection, and hyper-efficient vapor chamber cooling.” The Blade 16 has similar features, but to a lesser extent. For example, instead of a six-speaker array, it has four. The Blade 18 has three fans for the cooling system, while the 16 has two, and so on.
Availability
Speaking of the Razer Blade 16, there is one small issue that needs to be mentioned. According to a Engadget report (opens in new tab), switching between Creator and Gamer mode is quite “clumsy”. Users must completely shut down and restart the laptop to change resolutions; you can’t just go into the menus.
Awkwardness aside, if you’re interested in either one, be prepared to cough up the cash. The Razer Blade 16 and 18 cost $2,699.99 and $2,899.99 respectively. Both will launch in the first quarter of 2023, so they should be available for purchase within a few months.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out TechRadar’s guide on the best cheap gaming laptops for January 2023. We have a few worth less than $700.