New Razer Blade Stealth

[GoldfishRT]

I feel like this device's announcement came and went but the more I read about it the more I think it's finally the MacBook Pro equivalent that I've been looking for... of course that's provided Razer has their quality assurance down.

Basically, 13" 4k screen. Quad core. Dedicated MX150 gpu. 2 ThunderBolt 3. 2 USB A. No frills. No fuss. Just a solid black aluminum block with good performance.

I've got several 'gamery' friends that have bought Razer products and it seems like a mixed bag. A few with 15" Blades had many issues while most of my Stealth friends have had some software issues but otherwise generic 'its fine' experiences. That does give me some pause but at least they have a 3 year warranty. But you know, being as expensive as they are you'd hope you'd just never have to use it. But I guess, in my experience, that's true of Dell, Apple, and Microsofts machines premium machines as well.

I have been playing with a Surface Book 2 over the last few weeks and I really enjoy it. I like the combination of reasonable CPU performance, a great industrial design, good screen and speakers, and a GPU in a relatively compact package. I've always enjoyed that. From the days of the PowerBook G4 12" and my ThinkPad T43, both of which were light on footprint and solid on performance. In the modern era of ultrabooks that particular set of needs has seemingly fallen by the wayside especially when it comes to the GPU performance.

So what do you all think? I think I might try it. That price sure is sharp but I guess it's cheaper than many of the equivalents.

 

[jrichards1408]

Looks good

 

[SDColorado]

I have looked at the Razer Blade Stealth and 15" at the Microsoft Store on a number of occasions. The mixed back of QC that you eluded to, particularly with the 15" has kept me away so far. But the folks at the Microsoft Store keep telling me that while the Razers do have QC issues if you get a good one there is maybe none better. They also tell me that while Razer CS is admittedly also a mixed bag, that they have the ability to navigate that for me and make sure that if I don't get one that is top notch, that they will on my behalf make sure that I do.

The question is, how much do I trust the Microsoft Store folks to really deliver for me if I don't get one that is top notch? Otherwise, I really do like the idea of them.

I know with the 15" there are a couple of annoyances such as the secondary function keys not being backlit, but I don't type in the dark. Also the offset spacebar, but the tradeoff is you get full size arrow keys.

Anyway, if you try the Stealth, I would be interested to hear your opinion. I do wish the stealth was a 14". I like the specs on the stealth and the size of the 15", but I could definitely live with a 14"

 

[xraydoc]

If the form factor of the Surface Book line isn't the key factor (detachable screen for tablet use), then there's lots of traditional laptop options that are thinner and lighter than the SB2. If you're not going to use the tablet as a separate device, there's no reason for the extra thickness, weight and cost.

I don't know anything about Razer machines specifically, but specs look nice. Personally, the killer feature for the SB2 for me is the ability to go from tablet to GPU-enhanced laptop.

 

[GoldfishRT]

I don't know anything about Razer machines specifically, but specs look nice. Personally, the killer feature for the SB2 for me is the ability to go from tablet to GPU-enhanced laptop.

Certainly thinner devices to be sure but in terms of footprint (which matters for, airplane tray tables and such) it's still rather compact and of course as you point out, the killer feature being that it has an actual GPU worth mentioning on board.

Lots of ultrabooks. Most with Intel HD graphics. A few with Iris. And only a couple with dedicated graphics acceleration.

 

[c0ppo]

If the form factor of the Surface Book line isn't the key factor (detachable screen for tablet use), then there's lots of traditional laptop options that are thinner and lighter than the SB2. If you're not going to use the tablet as a separate device, there's no reason for the extra thickness, weight and cost.

I can think of two reasons:
- Silent machine. GPU in the base, CPU in the tablet part. Really silent device.
- Battery life

 

[jrichards1408]

I have looked at the Razer Blade Stealth and 15" at the Microsoft Store on a number of occasions. The mixed back of QC that you eluded to, particularly with the 15" has kept me away so far. But the folks at the Microsoft Store keep telling me that while the Razers do have QC issues if you get a good one there is maybe none better. They also tell me that while Razer CS is admittedly also a mixed bag, that they have the ability to navigate that for me and make sure that if I don't get one that is top notch, that they will on my behalf make sure that I do.

The question is, how much do I trust the Microsoft Store folks to really deliver for me if I don't get one that is top notch? Otherwise, I really do like the idea of them.

I know with the 15" there are a couple of annoyances such as the secondary function keys not being backlit, but I don't type in the dark. Also the offset spacebar, but the tradeoff is you get full size arrow keys.

Anyway, if you try the Stealth, I would be interested to hear your opinion. I do wish the stealth was a 14". I like the specs on the stealth and the size of the 15", but I could definitely live with a 14"

Get it from amazon mate

 

[xraydoc]

I can think of two reasons:
- Silent machine. GPU in the base, CPU in the tablet part. Really silent device.
- Battery life

Oh, don't have to convince me - my main machine is a SB2 13.5" i7/16GB/512GB.

I was just suggesting he was right to consider other machines if he's not going to make use of the SB2's convertible features.
[doublepost=1544553427][/doublepost]

Certainly thinner devices to be sure but in terms of footprint (which matters for, airplane tray tables and such) it's still rather compact and of course as you point out, the killer feature being that it has an actual GPU worth mentioning on board.

Lots of ultrabooks. Most with Intel HD graphics. A few with Iris. And only a couple with dedicated graphics acceleration.

Oh, agreed.

But, for example: https://www.amazon.com/Huawei-MateBook-Signature-Laptop-i5-8250U/dp/B07CTHN94Z?th=1
Thinner and lighter than the SB2 if he's not going to ever detach the display -- which is sounded like to me upon first read of the original post (though perhaps I misinterpreted).

 

[SDColorado]

Get it from amazon mate

I would rather get it from a local store. They are only about 9 miles away, know me well and have taken care of me in the past.

 

[jrichards1408]

I would rather get it from a local store. They are only about 9 miles away, know me well and have taken care of me in the past.

Amazon has the absolute best customer service. Within a year if your razer develops an issue you can get a direct exchange or refund from them without a fuss

 

[jrichards1408]

The razer 15 is cool but it has average battery life and rubbish shift key placements.

 

[OLDGUYWITHAHIFI]

Had one for a brief period. Really liked the design, the build was excellent, the screen was beautiful, but I had a hard time moving over to Windows and replacing my MBAir.

Plugging it into an external monitor also was a bit glitchy. Otherwise a very nice machine. Keyboard was also very nice, felt really good for typing. Might revisit one again someday when I have more time to get acquainted.

 

[SDColorado]

If you are not much of a gamer, how are the 4K versions of the 15" vs the FHD? Not sure I could go back to 1920 x 1080 for photography.

Amazon has the absolute best customer service. Within a year if your razer develops an issue you can get a direct exchange or refund from them without a fuss

That's a nice feature. Might even be worth forgoing the 10% Military Discount that I could get on one through the Microsoft Store. I guess that would depend on which model I would choose and how much of a discount that would mean.

 

[jrichards1408]

If you are not much of a gamer, how are the 4K versions of the 15" vs the FHD? Not sure I could go back to 1920 x 1080 for photography.



That's a nice feature. Might even be worth forgoing the 10% Military Discount that I could get on one through the Microsoft Store. I guess that would depend on which model I would choose and how much of a discount that would mean.

I use 4k for my 13 inch mate. Can't go back for photo editing either


Yes on amazon.

I bought a dell xps 13 and it had a issue with the fan and I immediately returned it for a brand new one (in fact amazon sent the new one to me before I sent the old one back) and it's been solid since!

 

[hajime]

I can think of two reasons:
- Silent machine. GPU in the base, CPU in the tablet part. Really silent device.
- Battery life

One thing I can think of is that with the Yoga, I just take out the laptop from my bag and flip the screen to switch between laptop and tablet mode. As for the SB2, I have to take it out from my bag, press a buttom and wait a bit, remove the top part, put the bottom part to my bag and then use the tablet. Before I get off the bus, I have to take the bottom part out, connect the upper and bottom parts. Then put the whole thing back into the beg. So a few more steps. The upper part of the 15" SB2 is desirable though.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

 

[SDColorado]

One thing I can think of is that with the Yoga, I just take out the laptop from my bag and flip the screen to switch between laptop and tablet mode. As for the SB2, I have to take it out from my bag, press a buttom and wait a bit, remove the top part, put the bottom part to my bag and then use the tablet. Before I get off the bus, I have to take the bottom part out, connect the upper and bottom parts. Then put the whole thing back into the beg. So a few more steps. The upper part of the 15" SB2 is desirable though.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

A few more steps yes, but the Yoga, XPS 15 2-1 and others of that ilk are heavy and cumbersome as "tablets" in that flipped over mode. I would rather take the second to push the display release button and have the thin and light tablet display of the SB2, than the cumbersome design of the flip over type. Not to mention when flipped over, the keyboard is always on the bottom of these devices since you cannot reverse the display.

 

[_Kiki_]

A few more steps yes, but the Yoga, XPS 15 2-1 and others of that ilk are heavy and cumbersome as "tablets" in that flipped over mode. I would rather take the second to push the display release button and have the thin and light tablet display of the SB2, than the cumbersome design of the flip over type. Not to mention when flipped over, the keyboard is always on the bottom of these devices since you cannot reverse the display.

still in Yoga or XPS you can replace thermal paste, clean the fan from dust or upgrade SSD, on SB2 you can't do nothing, it's even more disposable than actual MBP, what's the point to get SB2 ? I don't see anyone, this device doesn't have even TB3, it's like a disgrace of PC laptops

 

[GoldfishRT]

I've decided against trying out the Blade Stealth until I can see a Notebookcheck review of it. Sure they have a decent returns policy but I'd rather not go through the hassle if there's anything I'd dislike. I can see one item - that dumb arrow key blocking my right shift. Being a Razer I'm sure I could remap that though.

Also seems the 4k panel might be relatively dim. 300 nits flies on a matte display but on glossy it might be a little lacking. The MacBook Air for example, seems quite dim in person compared to all the other devices on the table.

still in Yoga or XPS you can replace thermal paste, clean the fan from dust or upgrade SSD, on SB2 you can't do nothing, it's even more disposable than actual MBP, what's the point to get SB2 ? I don't see anyone, this device doesn't have even TB3, it's like a disgrace of PC laptops

lol dramatic much?

Look, as more devices become thinner and more specialized the less practical and possible it is for them to be serviceable by the general public. My ThinkPad, from a series known for serviceability, has everything soldered down. The only thing you'd replace getting in is the battery.

As for ThunderBolt 3 - we the enthusiasts care. But my step-ma? She doesn't know what the hell it is and doesn't care. She wants to plug in her phone and her thumb drive which still both USB-A and she's much more common than you or I.

With that said, the lack of TB3 is maybe - along with the price - one of the larger deal breakers to me.

But to say it's bad because of that would be incorrect, as I type on one, it's one of the finest laptops made. The fun of the Windows world is if you don't like it, you can go buy one of a million other options, not just Microsoft's. That has been and always will be their advantage over other platforms.

 

[_Kiki_]

I've decided against trying out the Blade Stealth until I can see a Notebookcheck review of it. Sure they have a decent returns policy but I'd rather not go through the hassle if there's anything I'd dislike. I can see one item - that dumb arrow key blocking my right shift. Being a Razer I'm sure I could remap that though.

Also seems the 4k panel might be relatively dim. 300 nits flies on a matte display but on glossy it might be a little lacking. The MacBook Air for example, seems quite dim in person compared to all the other devices on the table.



lol dramatic much?

Look, as more devices become thinner and more specialized the less practical and possible it is for them to be serviceable by the general public. My ThinkPad, from a series known for serviceability, has everything soldered down. The only thing you'd replace getting in is the battery.

As for ThunderBolt 3 - we the enthusiasts care. But my step-ma? She doesn't know what the hell it is and doesn't care. She wants to plug in her phone and her thumb drive which still both USB-A and she's much more common than you or I.

With that said, the lack of TB3 is maybe - along with the price - one of the larger deal breakers to me.

But to say it's bad because of that would be incorrect, as I type on one, it's one of the finest laptops made. The fun of the Windows world is if you don't like it, you can go buy one of a million other options, not just Microsoft's. That has been and always will be their advantage over other platforms.

Which model of Thinkpad?
Razer Blade 15 is slim like MBP and has replaceable memory and SSD and powerful , Razer Stealth all models have replaceable SSD, your step-ma probably don't need 2k or 3k machine for internet browsing, they are targeted for enthusiast but absence of TB3 is unacceptable also disposable expensive machines doesn't have many fans on the PC market, quality machine is there when it's serviceable and there is an access to basic components, not accessible back cover it's only tolerable in cheap Android or Windows tablets, not machine for 2k or 3k, thin laptop doesn't mean can't be serviceable, there is many examples on the market

literally I'm more PC person than Mac, my daily driver is a desktop with 6900K and Titan Xp SLI, 1500W PSU and 34" monitor, I have also few gaming laptops and few windows ultrabooks plus 2 MacBooks and iMac