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The Bottom Line
Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing
Today we are taking a look at one of Razer's new Razer Blade 15 notebooks with refreshed Intel CPUs and platform features. Most notably we are going from four cores to six cores, we are getting more future proof WIFI and improved cooling.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 01 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 01](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_01_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The notebook can be configured with a GTX 1070 or 1060, both with Max-Q design. Most of the models come with a 1080P 144Hz display, but there is also a 4K 60Hz display option available as well. Let's take a look at what Razer has in store for us.
Specifications
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 02 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 02](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_02_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Our model uses the 1080P 100% sRGB IPS matte display, an i7-8750H CPU, a GTX 1070 with Max-Q design, 16GB dual-channel DDR4, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and an 80Wh battery. It comes with Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, and mini-DP. Weighing in at 4.63lbs and measuring 13.98"x9.25"x0.63" the notebook is quite thin and doesn't weigh as much as some other 15" gaming notebooks.
Pricing
The Blade Pro in our configuration chimes in at $2,599.99.
Physical Overview
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 03 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 03](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_03_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 04 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 04](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_04_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Razer's box is simple, and packaging is equally as simple.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 05 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 05](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_05_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 06 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 06](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_06_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Accessories include AC/DC power adapter, AC power cord, stickers, and a micro-fiber cloth. The AC/DC adapter is rated at 11.8a at 19.8v, so 230W.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 07 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 07](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_07_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 08 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 08](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_08_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The top and bottom are quite simple, and yes, the Razer logo lights up when the system is on. The aluminum body construction feels sturdy and high-quality, although fingerprints are easy to spot. The bottom features some intake vents as well as some exhaust vents. Two large horizontal rubber feet will keep the notebook in place on a smooth surface.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 09 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 09](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_09_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The front of the unit features a slight lip where you can grip the display to open the notebook. The rear features a large center hinge. On the left, we have Razer's proprietary charging port, two USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone combo jack. On the right of the device, we find a Thunderbolt 3 port, a USB 3.0 port, HDMI 2.0 port, a mini-DP port, and a Kensington lock slot.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 10 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 10](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_10_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The QWERTY keyboard is backlit with RGB LEDs behind each key, interestingly enough, you can feel airflow near certain areas as the blower fans pull air in from the key areas as well. You can use Razer Chroma to control the RGBs.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 11 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 11](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_11_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The touchpad is their Precise Glass Touchpad, and its texture is a welcome alternative to traditional touchpads.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 12 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 12](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_12_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The power button is integrated into part of the speaker guard mesh.
Physical Overview Continued
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 13 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 13](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_13_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
We get a 1MP 720P camera along with an array microphone.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 14 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 14](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_14_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The notebook opens up roughly 135 degrees.
Here we can see the notebook all opened up, and the new vapor chamber in its greatness. The new technology is different from what Razer has used in the past. The huge chamber uses graphite-based ser-grade thermal materials, 69 fins on the heat exchangers, and custom 44-blade fans. With the battery on the opposite side of the notebook, weight is distributed pretty evenly.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 16 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 16](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_16_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
We find Intel's latest Wireless-AC 9260NGW, which is capable of 2x2 wireless AC up to 1.733Gbps. We also see Razer is using 8GB Samsung memory modules.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 17 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 17](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_17_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Right above the 80Wh battery, we find the 512GB NVMe SSD. It is a Samsung MZ-VLW5120, which is like a PM961.
Software and BIOS
Software
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 18 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 18](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_18_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Dolby Atmos comes installed to optimize audio.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 19 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 19](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_19_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Razer's Synapse program can be used to take advantage of all of Razer's software.
BIOS
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 20 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 20](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_20_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
The BIOS holds all the settings you might need to configure the notebook, but there isn't much to configure.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 21 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 21](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_21_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 22 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 22](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_22_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 23 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 23](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_23_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 24 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 24](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_24_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 25 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 25](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_25_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 26 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 26](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_26_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 27 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 27](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_27_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 28 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 28](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_28_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 29 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 29](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_29_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 30 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 30](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_30_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 31 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 31](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_31_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
System Performance Benchmarks
CPU, Memory, and System Benchmarks
These benchmarks are run using default settings and configuration.
CINEBENCH 11.5
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 32 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 32](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_32_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
wPrime
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 33 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 33](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_33_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
AIDA64 AES and HASH
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 34 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 34](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_34_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
AIDA64 Memory
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 35 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 35](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_35_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
PCMark8 Home
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 36 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 36](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_36_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
Handbrake 4K and 720P Transcoding
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 37 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 37](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_37_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
WebXPRT 2015
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 38 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 38](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_38_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
The 8750H is destroying the 7700HQ in anything multi-core dependent, which is to be expected. It falls a bit short on Handbrake, but that could be a frequency dominant thing. Overall, performance rocks for such a thin notebook.
Gaming Performance Benchmarks
UNIGINE Heaven 4.0
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 40 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 40](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_40_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
ResidentEvil 6
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 41 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 41](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_41_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
3DMark FireStrike
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 42 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 42](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_42_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
3DMark Cloudgate
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 43 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 43](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_43_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
Ashes of Singularity
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 44 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 44](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_44_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
GTA:V
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 45 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 45](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_45_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
The Razer 15 is demolishing the Razer Blade Pro by a decent margin, and I think it's due to two extra cores coupled with better cooling on a GPU heavily dependent on cooling. It's a 15" mobile gaming beast.
System IO and Battery Performance
System IO Benchmarks
Internal Storage Read Test:
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 46 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 46](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_46_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
Internal Storage Write Test:
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 47 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 47](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_47_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
ixChariot Network Throughput:
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 48 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 48](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_48_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
Razer gave the new notebook a huge NVMe upgrade, and while the notebook will only take one storage device, it's a lot faster. Networking is solid.
Battery Tests
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 49 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 49](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_49_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.png)
The battery performance is slightly worse than the 17inch notebook, but that could be due to a large number of factors. It's not the worst battery performance, and you can't have it all.
Thermal Performance
Thermal Imaging
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 50 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 50](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_50_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Here we can see that the notebook does warm up a decent amount, but part of the reason is that the metal chassis is a good thermal conductor. We can also see where the intake fans are since they can draw air through the keyboard.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 51 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 51](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_51_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
We can see the vapor chamber doing its job, concentrating the heat so that it can be blown out.
What's Hot, What's Not & Final Thoughts
What's Hot
Much more CPU Power: With two extra cores and high turbo clock the new i7-8750H work pretty well as a gaming CPU, especially if other things are running in the background. The CPU is quite well paired with the GTX 1070 with Max Q design, and the two are a match made in heaven with the 1080P display.
Construction: We loved how well built the notebook was, and it met the level of expectations we expect from Razer notebooks. We love the unibody construction.
New Vapor Chamber: The new vapor chamber is the future of high-end notebook cooling, and we hope to see it implemented in other notebooks from Razer down the line. It seemed to do an excellent job of cooling the CPU without
What's Not
Battery Life: We found that the battery life of this notebook was a bit lacking, even more so than on the previous 17" model we reviewed.
Final Thoughts
The Blade Pro was a very beastly gaming PC, but it was a bit large and heavy, queue the Razer Blade 15. The new Razer blade has a much more advanced CPU with 50% more cores, and it seems to pair perfectly with the GTX 1070 with Max-Q design.
![Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 52 Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop Review 52](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/8/7/8794_52_razer-blade-15-kaby-lake-laptop-review.jpg)
Overall, we were toughly impressed with the notebook, but its battery will drain extremely quickly if all you are doing is gaming, but normalized use should last you a day. The vapor chamber might be a pricey option, but it does excellent cooling both the CPU and GPU with ease and without too much noise. If you are in the market for a high-end 15" gaming notebook built to last, give the Razer Blade 15 a look.
![TweakTown award TweakTown award](https://www.tweaktown.com/images/awards/badge_recommended.png)
Performance | 97% |
Quality | 96% |
Features | 92% |
Value | 86% |
Overall | 93% |
The Bottom Line: We highly recommend the Razer Blade 15 with the new 8th Generation processor to anyone looking for a dependable, durable, fast, and gorgeous notebook.
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