The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 represents a significant milestone in gaming laptop evolution, combining powerful performance with sleek design. This comprehensive review explores every aspect of this revolutionary gaming machine that changed the landscape of portable gaming in 2018.
Design and Build Quality
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its:
- CNC-milled aluminum unibody chassis
- Ultra-thin bezels around the 15.6-inch display
- Compact footprint measuring 13.98 x 9.25 x 0.68 inches
- Professional matte black finish resistant to fingerprints
- Premium build quality that rivals MacBooks
Display Options
FHD Model
- 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display
- 144Hz refresh rate
- 100% sRGB color space coverage
- Matte anti-glare coating
4K Model
- 15.6-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) display
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Touch-screen capability
- 100% Adobe RGB color space coverage
Performance Specifications
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers impressive hardware:
Processor
- Intel Core i7-8750H (6 cores)
- Base clock: 2.2 GHz
- Turbo boost: Up to 4.1 GHz
- 9MB cache
Graphics Options
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q (Base model)
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q (Advanced model)
- DirectX 12 support
- VR-ready capabilities
Memory and Storage
- 16GB dual-channel DDR4-2667MHz RAM
- Expandable up to 32GB
- 256GB/512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Additional M.2 slot for storage expansion
Cooling System
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 features an advanced cooling solution:
- Vapor chamber cooling technology
- Dual fans with 44 blades each
- Custom fan control through Razer Synapse
- Strategic ventilation placement
Connectivity Options
Ports
- 3x USB 3.1 Type-A ports
- 1x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
- 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.4
- 1x HDMI 2.0b
- 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
Wireless
- Intel Wireless-AC 9260
- 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.0
Keyboard and Input Devices
Keyboard Features
- Per-key RGB backlighting
- Razer Chroma support
- N-key rollover
- Anti-ghosting capabilities
Touchpad
- Large Microsoft Precision touchpad
- Glass surface for smooth navigation
- Multi-gesture support
- Accurate tracking
Battery Life and Power
- 80Wh lithium-ion battery
- Up to 6 hours of general use
- 230W power adapter
- NVIDIA Optimus technology for power efficiency
Software and Features
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 comes with:
- Windows 10 Home/Pro
- Razer Synapse 3 software
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience
- THX Spatial Audio
Gaming Performance
1080p Gaming Performance
- Battlefield V: 90-100 FPS
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 75-85 FPS
- Fortnite: 120+ FPS
- PUBG: 85-95 FPS
4K Gaming Performance (GTX 1070 Max-Q)
- Battlefield V: 30-40 FPS
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 25-35 FPS
- Fortnite: 45-55 FPS
- PUBG: 35-45 FPS
Thermal Performance
- Idle temperature: 35-40°C
- Gaming temperature: 75-85°C
- Fan noise under load: 40-45 dB
- Surface temperature while gaming: 40-45°C
Upgradeability
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers several upgrade options:
- RAM upgradeable to 32GB
- Additional M.2 SSD slot
- Replaceable wireless card
- Accessible internal components
Price and Value Proposition
Base Model
- GTX 1060 Max-Q
- 256GB SSD
- FHD 144Hz display
- Starting at $1,899
Advanced Model
- GTX 1070 Max-Q
- 512GB SSD
- Choice of FHD 144Hz or 4K touch display
- Starting at $2,399
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Premium build quality
- Excellent display options
- Powerful gaming performance
- Compact and portable design
- Advanced cooling system
- Comprehensive port selection
Disadvantages
- Premium price point
- Limited battery life under load
- Gets warm during intensive tasks
- Limited upgradeability compared to larger laptops
Target Audience
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is ideal for:
- Professional gamers
- Content creators
- Digital artists
- Mobile professionals
- Students requiring powerful hardware
Maintenance and Care
To maintain the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2:
- Regular cleaning of cooling vents
- Software updates through Razer Synapse
- GPU driver updates
- Periodic backup of important data
- Professional cleaning every 6-12 months
Conclusion
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 stands as a testament to Razer's commitment to excellence in gaming laptops. It successfully combines powerful gaming capabilities with portability and style, making it a compelling choice for both gaming enthusiasts and professional users.
While the price point may be higher than some competitors, the premium build quality, excellent performance, and versatile features justify the investment for those seeking a high-end gaming laptop that doesn't compromise on design or functionality.