The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 stands as a testament to Razer’s commitment to delivering high-performance gaming laptops. With its sleek design, powerful internals, and impressive display, it continues to be a popular choice among gamers and professionals alike. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into every aspect of the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2), exploring its specifications, performance, and why it still holds relevance in today’s tech landscape.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is its premium design. The unibody aluminium chassis exudes sophistication, featuring a matte black finish that is both stylish and functional. The slim bezels around the display add a modern touch, making it an attractive choice for users who value aesthetics.
The laptop measures just 0.66 inches in thickness and weighs approximately 4.6 pounds, making it one of the most portable gaming laptops of its time. Despite its slim profile, the build quality is exceptional, with a sturdy hinge mechanism and a durable keyboard deck that can withstand extensive use.
Display
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 boasts a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The screen features a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals during fast-paced gaming sessions. The IPS panel delivers vibrant colours and excellent viewing angles, making it ideal for gaming, video editing, and media consumption.
For users seeking even higher visual fidelity, Razer offered a 4K touch display option. This variant caters to content creators who require ultra-sharp resolution and precise colour accuracy.
Performance
Under the hood, the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) is powered by the Intel Core i7-8750H processor. This six-core, 12-thread CPU provides excellent performance for both gaming and multitasking. Paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics card, the laptop can handle demanding AAA titles at high settings.
The device comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for most gaming and professional applications. Storage options include a 512GB NVMe SSD, ensuring fast boot times and quick access to your files. The SSD can be upgraded, offering flexibility for users who require additional storage.
Cooling System
To maintain optimal performance, the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) features an advanced vapour chamber cooling system. This design efficiently dissipates heat, ensuring the laptop remains cool even during extended gaming sessions. While the fans can get loud under heavy loads, they effectively prevent thermal throttling, allowing the hardware to perform at its best.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops are not typically known for their battery life, and the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) is no exception. The 80Wh battery provides around 5-6 hours of moderate use, such as web browsing and video playback. During gaming sessions, the battery life drops significantly, which is expected for a device with such powerful internals.
Connectivity
The Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) offers a variety of connectivity options, including:
- 3x USB 3.1 ports
- 1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
- 1x HDMI 2.0b port
- 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.4
- 3.5mm combo audio jack
These ports provide ample flexibility for connecting peripherals, external monitors, and other devices. The Thunderbolt 3 port is particularly noteworthy, as it supports high-speed data transfer and can be used to connect an external GPU for enhanced performance.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) features customizable Razer Chroma RGB lighting, allowing users to personalize their setup with a spectrum of colours and effects. The keys are well-spaced, offering a comfortable typing experience, although the shallow key travel may take some getting used to for users accustomed to mechanical keyboards.
The precision glass touchpad is spacious and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers for smooth navigation and gesture control. It’s one of the best touchpads available on a gaming laptop, providing an experience that rivals premium ultrabooks.
Audio
The laptop’s speakers are located on either side of the keyboard, delivering clear and loud audio. While the bass might not be as pronounced as some might prefer, the overall sound quality is adequate for gaming and media consumption. For an immersive audio experience, using high-quality headphones or external speakers is recommended.
Software
The Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) comes preloaded with Razer Synapse software, which allows users to customize keyboard lighting, create macros, and optimize system performance. The software is intuitive and adds significant value for users who enjoy fine-tuning their hardware.
Price and Availability
When it launched, the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) was priced at a premium, reflecting its high-end specifications and build quality. While it’s no longer available as a new product, refurbished and second-hand units can still be found at competitive prices. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers looking for a capable and stylish laptop.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek and portable design
- Excellent display with 144Hz refresh rate
- Powerful performance for gaming and multitasking
- Customizable RGB keyboard lighting
- Ample connectivity options
Cons:
- Average battery life
- Fans can get noisy under load
- Limited upgradability for RAM
Is the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) Still Worth It?
Despite being a few years old, the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) remains a solid choice for gamers and professionals who need a versatile laptop. Its combination of performance, portability, and premium design ensures it can handle most modern applications with ease. However, users should consider their specific needs and compare them with newer models that offer updated hardware and features.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) is a classic example of Razer’s ability to blend style and substance. Whether you’re a gamer seeking smooth gameplay or a professional requiring a reliable workstation, this laptop delivers on multiple fronts. While newer iterations of the Razer Blade series are available, the 2018 H2 model still holds its own in a competitive market. For those considering a high-performance laptop at a reasonable price, the Razer Blade 15 (2018 H2) deserves a spot on your shortlist.
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