We can now classify ourselves as having retired from the gaming world on PC because we can no longer afford expensive computers. The development of new technology, expensive graphics cards due to crypto mining and no more time make us more comfortable to spend our first time playing only on the phone. But since time immemorial, one of the gaming laptops that we wanted the most when he was younger was the Razer Blade.
The Razer Blade 14 under review is the first we've used since becoming a writer. So the expectation bar we set for him is quite high given his pretty good reputation among gamers. Will Blade succeed in satisfying this old gamer or just stab the chest full of disappointment?
Razer Blade 14 (2022)
14″ WQXGA screen, (2560 x 1440 pixels)
IPS LCD, 165Hz,
FreeSync Premium
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 GPU
RAM 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe storage
Primary Camera 1080p Infrared
I/O 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
2 x USB 4 Type-C
1 x HDMI 2.1 output
Kensington lock
Battery 61.6 WHr
230W charging
SIM/Telephony None
WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Audio Jack Yes
Waterproof None
Windows Hello Face Scan System
Selling Price RM9999
Screen
The large 14″ IPS LCD type screen supports QHD resolution with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz complete with AMD FreeSync support. This is a specification that does not disappoint for a gaming computer. No official standards supporting HDR content are given but the screen is capable of displaying 100% DCI-P3 colors.
There is no touch support but this feature is rarely offered on a gaming computer. The bezel of the screen is thin and has a finish that prevents it from experiencing glare.
Video games as well as video content are displayed in good colors on this screen. Colors look vivid and vivid at the highest settings and can still be seen clearly under the hot sun. The viewing angle is also satisfactory with no drastic color changes when viewed from the side.
The screen can also be opened up to an angle of up to around 110 degrees. At this angle, the Blade 14 is comfortable to use when on the table or on the lap. What we noticed is that this part of the screen is so hard that it doesn't vibrate at all when we type. It's the sturdiest hinge we've seen built and stiffer than the majority of other laptops that have entered our test labs.
The screen with a ratio of 16:9 also makes it very compatible to be used not only for video games but also for streaming movies and doing work tasks when necessary. With high resolution support, the image looks sharp and does not hurt the eyes after a long video game session.
Shape
Design has long been the strength of the Razer Blade 14. It looks like an opaque block of granite which not only makes it look stylish but also manages to hide its identity as a gaming computer. The entire body is carved from a block of aluminum using a CNC system.
What makes it stand out is the bright green Razer logo on top of the lid. The logo is illuminated by a green light that can be changed to flash like a breathing rhythm or be turned off directly for owners who don't want this laptop to be "gaming-an" visible.
There are no noticeable vents on the sides or back. All successfully hidden at the bottom. The two cooling fans at the bottom are also hidden behind two moderately large air grilles. For those who want a gaming laptop that looks like a normal work laptop, the Blade 14 is an excellent choice.
All I/O are placed on the right and left side which looks balanced in design. At the beginning of the paragraph above we said that the Blade 14 looks like a block of granite. Blade 14 is also quite heavy with it almost reaching 1.8 kilograms.
No component feels loose. The only other laptop with a build that feels as solid as the Blade 14 is the MacBook Air M2. Both feel very premium in the hand. No loose components and no strange noises from the inside. Because the body of the Blade 14 is strong, it doesn't flex even under the slightest pressure. This makes us feel comfortable putting it in the bag without having to worry about the body curling like a scurvy patient by accident.
I/O options are a charger port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and 1x USB 4 Type-C on the left side of the series. On the right side is placed 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 4 Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1 and Kensington lock on the right side.
The ports provided are satisfactory but we feel it would have been better if Razer had included a LAN port and a card reader. Gaming sessions are definitely faster without lag if a wired connection is possible.
The web camera with Windows Hello facial recognition support is placed on the top bezel of the screen and it is unobtrusive as it is well hidden. But there's also no fingerprint scanner support that's becoming standard on flagship laptops. The supported Windows Hello facial recognition system works quickly as soon as the cover is opened. It can be used in the dark because it also has an infrared emitter.
The body of the Blade 14 is made of metal that is not shiny but can still trap dirt if the fingers are shiny. Because it's black, it's hard to keep the Blade 14 clean.
Keyboard
The keyboard is of the chicklet design popular on modern laptops. It is also from the membrane family with a relatively shallow vertical movement distance. As MacBook Air users, we have no issues with this keyboard as it still feels sturdy. In fact, in terms of quality, we feel the Blade 14's keys feel more premium and pleasant to type on.
There is individual lighting support on each key which is controlled using the Razer Chroma system. Every key is responsive even in FPS video games that require quick reactions. Not once did we feel that this keyboard failed to detect every pressure applied. The lights are bright enough but not blinding. For those who like to play in a dark room, there is no problem finding the keys to press at night.
This keyboard is also quite comfortable to use for typing tasks. Most of this article was typed using the Blade 14. All we realized was that it was a bit harsh so it required us to change the typing style a bit. Awkward for a few days but then no issues. Because the primary function of the Blade 14 is a gaming laptop and not a work computer, this slight discomfort when typing is forgivable.
Touch Pad
The touchpad is large for a 14″ Windows laptop. The top surface is made of glass which makes finger movement on it feel smooth all the time. All major Windows gestures are supported through the Windows Precision Driver. Every movement and touch is well detected. Unfortunately once less fond of the click system used. Like the keyboard it is hard and requires stronger pressure.
We have been spoiled by the Track Pad on the MacBook which is undeniably the best on a laptop. So the lack of the Blade 14 touch pad can be felt. Due to the hard click system, we do not recommend using it for gaming sessions. Just connect a Razer mouse for a more comfortable and accurate gaming session.
Usage And Benchmarks
With an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX chip, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB GDDR6 and 16GB DDR graphics card, the Razer Blade 14 is a high-spec gaming laptop ahead of the RTX 4XXX series GPUs for laptops next year. In Malaysia only this variant is offered while in other markets there are models with RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3060. Another thing that is a little disappointing is that the RAM is soldered directly to the motherboard. There is no option to add RAM post purchase.
In the Fire Strike Extreme, Wildlife Extreme and Time Spy Extreme tests, the scores recorded were significantly higher than the average scores of other gaming laptops on the market. The RTX3070 Ti GPU has enough power to run video games at high settings and 1440p resolution at this time. As long as the Blade 14 is connected to a power cable, the majority of games tested can be played stably at a frame rate of 60FPS.
When running a game like The Witcher 3 Next Gen with Ray Tracing enabled, the fan starts moving faster but the sound produced is not as loud. But we noticed the keyboard and bottom of the Blade 14 started to get hot to the point of being uncomfortable to use. The compact body design and made of aluminum blocks make the whole Blade 14 hot. Unlike other gaming computers that are thicker, have more air holes and have a plastic body that does not conduct heat well.
Blade 14's ability as a gaming computer cannot be denied anymore. But it is also capable as a graphics and video editing work computer. Opening large files is no problem because of the fast SSD storage and the satisfactory RAM size. Video processing can also be done quickly. So it's no surprise that the Blade 14's PCMark 10 score is also very high, beating a work laptop and almost comparable to a desktop PC.
Audio
Two upward-firing speakers are placed on the right and left sides of the keyboard. No information about the power is shared by Razer. A configuration similar to the MacBook Pro 14. Because of this configuration we have high hopes for the audio capabilities of the Blade 14, especially since it comes with THX audio support. But the speaker on the Blade 14 is the most disappointing component. The audio feels flat with the bass just not satisfying. Treble is the only thing we feel is good especially if you are a fan of jazz music.
In video games this lack of bass can be felt. Playing Call of Duty for example the explosions feel weak and every shot from the shotgun is not satisfying at all. Not on par with computers in the same class as the Huawei MateBook 14s and MacBook Air M2. This lackluster direct audio had us testing various video games using headphones connected to the 3.5mm audio jack.
Battery
Razer says the 61.1 Whr battery used can provide up to 11 hours of power. In the tests we did not even it reached this period. Best performance is nearly 10 hours with the Blade 14 used for web browsing and video streaming at medium detail.
In a gaming session, it can last up to around three hours. We must say that the level of battery drain depends on the type of game being played. The more intensive the graphics requirements, the shorter the battery life. Recharging is done with a 230W charger that uses a dedicated connection. The charger also comes with a large and heavy power block.
In the box
Here is what is received in the box with purchase.
1x Razer Blade 14 2022.
1x 230W charger block.
1x 3 pin head cable.
1x Manual.
1x Razer Sticker.
1x Wiper cloth.
Conclusion
The Razer Blade 14 2022 is a gaming laptop that is not only capable of running video games at high settings but does so without looking like a normal gaming computer. It doesn't need to advertise to the world that it's a gaming device and that's why we're quite fond of its design.
The I/O options provided are good but would be more perfect if there was a LAN and a memory card reader. Although designed for gaming, it is powerful enough for graphics and video editing tasks. As a typing machine it is also no less great because of its good battery life.
Our only issue lies in the price of RM9999 a piece. At this price we need as close to perfection as possible. The audio system is unsatisfactory and the touch pad is also unsatisfactory. But the fact is that only the Razer Blade 14 offers high performance in a compact and attractive design on the market right now.
The price may be a bit expensive but it's worth it for those looking for a powerful portable gaming computer that hides its true capabilities in a very stylish design.
PROs and Advantages
Beautiful fast screen.
High performance for gaming and work.
Good I/O options complete with full size HDMI.
Nice keyboard for typing and gaming.
Very premium design looks like it's not a gaming computer.
Satisfactory battery life.
CONS and Cons
The touch pad click system is a bit flimsy.
A very disappointing speaker for a THX system.
RAM is soldered to the motherboard.
The keyboard gets hot.
Price.