GPU & Storage Performance, Conclusion

When information technology comes to graphics functioning, the 970M was able to run near modernistic games at the native 3,200 x 1,800 resolution at medium / normal graphics quality. Bumping up to high / ultra at this resolution resulted in a framerate drib that's below acceptable standards. If you lot're willing to cede some resolution, however, y'all tin can become away with higher quality settings.

Exterior of its ain applications, the Blade didn't send with whatever extra unnecessary applications or bloatware (or adware, for that matter). This practice is one that separates the mass product PC makers from the elite, boutique-form builders that value shipping a vanilla system over putting a few extra bucks in their pockets through partnerships with various software makers.

Our review unit shipped with a 256GB Samsung NVMe MZVLV256 solid state drive and while its read times were quite speedy, I tin can't say the aforementioned about its write performance. Across multiple storage benchmarks, writes were consistently slower than what you'd find with a mid-range SATA SSD. This is the same SSD that was in the HP Spectre we recently reviewed and it performed identically in that system. It's yet a fast drive, it's just not top-of-the-line in terms of write performance.

Razer claims the Blade expert for roughly five hours of battery life and based on our results, that's spot-on. In our battery test which consists of running a 720p rip of the movie Inception on loop at full brightness, the laptop was good for five hours and 34 minutes of runtime on a single charge.

The audio system is powered by Dolby Digital Plus, a software suite designed to amend your listening experience. I tried several of the preconfigured profiles but wasn't able to observe annihilation that sounded "right" although turning it off completely was a mistaken. Fortunately, the software allows for manual equalizer adjustments then you can punch it in exactly as yous want. With a flake of tweaking, I was able to best all of the presets although I'd need some additional time to tune it to perfection.

As for the speakers, they're skilful but non neat. At full book, it feels equally though the speakers are correct on the edge of being overpowered. Dialing it dorsum to effectually 75 percent offered a skilful balance of volume and clarity. Given its roots every bit a gaming system, I suspect nearly will bypass the integrated speakers and connect their own headsets but if you must apply the built-in arrangement, it'll suffice just fine.

This is the 2nd Razer Blade I've reviewed in as many years, having looked at the Razer Blade Pro in 2015. The Pro was a peculiar offering with a bit of an identity crisis but with the 2016 Blade, in that location's no mistaking its genes equally a sleek gaming car.

That said, information technology'southward an interesting fourth dimension to be in the market for a gaming notebook. New generations of mobile GPUs are merely around the corner and if Nvidia's new 10 Series desktop fries are whatever indication, they could accept mobile gaming to unprecedented levels. And if rumors pan out, Nvidia may exercise away with its K serial and outfit notebooks with desktop-course chips.

Of course, by that mode of thinking you'll exist waiting around for the next big thing indefinitely and never get to bask what'due south bachelor in the present. As information technology stands today, the 2016 Blade is an excellent contender for anyone looking for a sleek and lightweight gaming notebook with room to grow. Y'all can probable become a bit more blindside for your buck elsewhere although exist prepared to accept on a flake more than majority in the process.

Pros: Beautiful, high-resolution display. Thin and light. Excellent cooling system. Thunderbolt three with USB Type C connector. Supports external GPU via Razer Core.

Cons: Nvidia 9 Series mobile GPU is on its way out. Affect brandish is useless on a non-convertible / 2-in-ane system.