The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is a flagship gaming laptop that combines sleek design, robust performance, and innovative features. Released as part of Razer’s popular Blade series, the 2018 H2 model has garnered attention from both gamers and professionals seeking a powerful yet portable machine. This article provides an in-depth review of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2, covering its design, performance, display, battery life, and more.
Design and Build Quality
Sleek and Durable Design
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 features a CNC-milled aluminum chassis that exudes a premium feel. The matte black finish with the iconic Razer logo adds a touch of elegance and aggressiveness. The overall build quality is exceptional, with a sturdy frame that resists flexing and bending.
Portability
Despite its powerful hardware, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 maintains a slim profile, measuring just 0.78 inches in thickness. Weighing around 4.56 pounds, it is relatively lightweight for a gaming laptop, making it convenient for users who are always on the go.
Display
Full HD and 4K Options
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers two display options: a Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 4K (3840 x 2160) touchscreen panel. The Full HD option is ideal for gamers who prioritize high refresh rates for smoother gameplay, while the 4K option caters to creatives and professionals needing higher resolution for detailed work.
Color Accuracy and Brightness
Both display options boast impressive color accuracy, covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The screens are bright and vibrant, with excellent viewing angles, making them suitable for gaming, content creation, and media consumption.
Performance
Powerful Hardware
Under the hood, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor, a 6-core CPU that provides excellent performance for both gaming and productivity tasks. It is paired with up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a range of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series GPUs, including the GTX 1060 and GTX 1070 Max-Q.
Storage Options
The laptop comes with various storage configurations, featuring fast NVMe SSDs that ensure quick boot times and rapid file transfers. Users can choose from 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD options, depending on their storage needs.
Gaming Performance
The combination of the i7-8750H CPU and GTX 10-series GPU delivers exceptional gaming performance. The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 can handle modern AAA titles at high settings with smooth frame rates. The 144Hz refresh rate on the Full HD display further enhances the gaming experience by providing fluid and responsive visuals.
Cooling System
Advanced Thermal Management
To maintain optimal performance, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 employs an advanced cooling system. It features a vapor chamber cooling solution that efficiently dissipates heat, keeping the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions. The dual-fan design and ample ventilation ensure that the system remains stable and prevents thermal throttling.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Chroma RGB Keyboard
The laptop is equipped with Razer’s Chroma RGB keyboard, offering customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options. The per-key RGB lighting allows users to personalize their keyboard with various effects and colors, adding a touch of flair to the gaming setup. The keyboard itself provides a comfortable typing experience with good key travel and tactile feedback.
Precision Touchpad
The precision touchpad on the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is large and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers. It offers smooth and accurate tracking, making it suitable for both productivity and casual use. However, for gaming, an external mouse is recommended for better control and precision.
Connectivity
Ports and Expansion
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers a decent selection of ports, including:
- Three USB 3.1 Type-A ports
- One Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
- One HDMI 2.0 port
- One Mini DisplayPort 1.4
- One 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
These ports provide ample connectivity options for peripherals, external displays, and other devices. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 3 allows for high-speed data transfers and the possibility of connecting an external GPU for even more powerful performance.
Wireless Connectivity
For wireless connectivity, the laptop supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring stable and fast connections for online gaming, streaming, and file transfers.
Battery Life
Decent Battery Performance
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 comes with an 80Wh battery that provides decent battery life for a gaming laptop. Under typical usage scenarios, such as web browsing, video streaming, and light productivity, the battery can last around 5-6 hours. However, during intensive gaming sessions, the battery life is significantly reduced, and it is advisable to keep the charger handy.
Audio Quality
Impressive Sound
The laptop features front-firing speakers that deliver clear and loud audio. The sound quality is impressive for a laptop, with good bass response and minimal distortion at higher volumes. For an enhanced audio experience, especially during gaming, using a good pair of headphones is recommended.
Software and Features
Razer Synapse
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 comes with Razer Synapse software, which allows users to customize the Chroma RGB lighting, create macros, and adjust system performance settings. The software is user-friendly and offers a range of customization options to tailor the laptop to individual preferences.
Windows 10
The laptop runs on Windows 10, providing a familiar and versatile operating system for both gaming and productivity. Windows 10 offers a vast library of compatible games and applications, along with regular updates and security features.
The RazerBlade 15 2018 H2 is a formidable gaming laptop that excels in design, performance, and portability. Its sleek and durable build, coupled with powerful hardware and a vibrant display, make it a top choice for gamers and professionals alike. While the battery life might not be the best in its class, the overall package it offers is hard to beat. Whether you’re looking for a high-performance gaming machine or a portable workstation, the RazerBlade 15 2018 H2 is a worthy investment.
