Razer Launches The Ultimate Ultrabook [Review]

What a week at CES 2016! It's already Monday and the only thing that I have in my mind is Razer's ultimate Ultrabook, which was announced at the event last week. This ultimate ultrabook is called the Razer Blade Stealth - even the name gives me chills. It features an incredible sleek form factor with the latest Intel Core i7 processor and a stunning 4K display, the ultra-thin notebook also gives gamers the option of unprecedented desktop-level gaming performance with the help of the Razer Core via Thunderbolt 3.

Razer stated at CES that they are planning an innovative new direct-to-consumer model that allows the new Razer Blade Stealth to be sold with premium configurations, but at a lower price point relative to the competition.

What’s makes the Razer Blade Stealth so special? Well, it measures 0.52 inches thin and weighs just 2.75 pounds. Razer’s latest chassis is CNC-milled out of aircraft grade aluminum, providing a sleek yet solid design. Its 12.5-in. touch display comes in two resolutions: an Ultra HD variant with an eye-dazzling 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution and 100 percent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, and a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution version. Both displays are touch-enabled and feature wide viewing angles and high-color saturation to display content with striking clarity and accuracy.

To power both models, Razer’s award-winning design team equipped the Razer Blade Stealth with the latest 6^th generation Intel Core i7 processor. For storage they have equipped it with a PCIe SSD which offers up to three times faster speeds than traditional solid-state drives.  All models will feature 8 GB of dual-channel system memory, providing a combination of components that offer high performance in an extremely portable form factor. Additionally, Thunderbolt 3 provides remarkable connectivity via the Blade Stealth’s compact USB-C port at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, the fastest, most versatile link to any dock, display or data device.

The Razer Blade Stealth base model will start at $999, while the highest-end version will sell for $1,599. By way of its direct-to-consumer program, the Razer Blade Stealth is priced significantly less than comparable systems from other manufacturers. Available through Razer’s physical and online stores, pre-orders are open now and units will ship in January.  In February, the Razer Blade Stealth availability will be expanded to Microsoft Stores.

The Razer Blade Stealth’s hardcore gaming chops are unlocked via the plug-and-play external desktop graphics enclosure, the Razer Core. A single Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable supplies both data and power and is all it takes to connect Razer’s Ultrabook with the Razer Core. The device can accommodate virtually every popular desktop graphics card from both AMD and NVIDIA. Physical installation of GPUs takes seconds with the Razer Core—its durable aluminum housing slides open effortlessly and a single screw can secure the graphics card in place. Razer’s solution helps future-proof systems, as graphics cards are easily swappable as new components become available.

Overall, bringing desktop-level graphics and 4K external display output to an Ultrabook is only part of the latest systems solution from Razer. The Razer Core contains four additional USB 3.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity. Plug-and-play support with validated graphics cards allows for quick connections without the need to reboot the PC. It is now easier than ever to transform a thin and light notebook into a desktop experience.

Razer Blade Stealth:

• 5 in. IGZO 16:9 aspect ratio, capacitive multi-touch display
• QHD (2560 x 1440)
  • 128 GB / 256GB PCIe SSD options
• UHD (3840 x 2160)
  • 256 GB / 512 GB PCIe SSD options
• Intel® Core™ i7-6500U Dual-Core Processor (2.5 GHz / 3.1 GHz)
• Intel® HD Graphics 520
• 128 GB / 256 GB PCIe SSD options (QHD display models)
• 256 GB / 512 GB PCIe SSD options (UHD display models)
• 8 GB Dual-Channel System Memory (LPDDR3-1866MHz)
• Windows® 10 (64-bit)
• Wireless-AC (802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth® 4.1)
• Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C)
• USB 3.0 port x 2 (SuperSpeed)
• Built-in webcam (2.0 MP)
• Chroma anti-ghosting keyboard with individually backlit keys
• HDMI 1.4b audio and video output
• Built-in stereo speakers
• 5 mm headphone/microphone combo port
• Built-in array microphone
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) security chip embedded
• Compact 45 W USB-C power adapter
• Built-in 45 Wh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery
• 52 in. / 13.1 mm (Height) x 12.6 in. / 321 mm (Width) x 8.1 in. / 206 mm (Depth)
• 75 lbs. / 1.25 kg

Razer Core:

• Connection to PC via Thunderbolt™ 3 using included 40Gbps cable
• Supports single double-wide, full-length, PCI-Express x16 graphics card
• GPU max dimensions – 5.98 in. / 152 mm (Height) x 1.73 in. / 44 mm (Width) x 12.20 in. / 310 mm (Length)
• GPU max power support – 375 W
• USB 3.0 port x 4 (SuperSpeed)
• Gigabyte Ethernet (10/100/1000)
• Chroma lighting (2 zones)
• Built-in 500 W power supply
• 6 in. / 218.4 mm (Height) x 4.13 in. / 104.9 mm (Width) x 13.38 in. / 339.9 mm (Length)

Image credit: @Razer