Razer has taken the wraps off of its Blade gaming laptop and it looks hot. Packed with high-end specs, aluminum construction, and Razer’s unique Switchblade user interface, the Blade appears to offer a unique blend of performance, functionality, and style. While I don’t want to get too excited until I can get my hands on one, I’m loving the Blade on paper. Here’s some additional info from the press release:
Razer, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, introduces the Razer Blade – a full aluminum chassis gaming laptop featuring true portability, incredible performance, and an all-new revolutionary user interface. With the introduction of the Razer Blade – a feat of modern-day systems engineering and technology, Razer is reinvigorating technological and design innovation for the entire PC industry, and encouraging gamers and developers to return to the PC as the primary gaming platform of choice.
Mobile systems developed for gaming today compromise on portability and form factor for game performance. While such machines run games well, they are over 2 inches thick and can weigh more than 10lbs. The Razer Blade measures 0.88 inches thin, less than half that of current mobile gaming systems, and weighs only 6.97lbs, achieving a balance between portability and performance – making it the world’s first true gaming laptop.
Developed in partnership with Intel, the Razer Blade features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor. The hardware was designed to run the most demanding games of today without sacrificing the laptop’s portable form factor. The Razer Blade also does not compromise on screen size as it comes with an incredible LED-backlit high-definition 17” display.
The Razer Blade features the Switchblade User Interface – Razer’s multi-award winning, highly intuitive interface technology. The interface is comprised of 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys for easier access of in-game commands, and an LCD capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information when a mouse is in use; and another mode that functions as an ultra-sensitive, multi-touch panel designed for gaming on the go.
Naturally, the Blade uses the customary black and green colors found in other Razer products. I’m anxious to get my hands on the machine in order to get a sense of its build quality For now I’m digging the Blade’s looks. Check out the image gallery below and let me know if you like the Blade’s aesthetics.
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I know that a lot of you are spec whores, so here are the Blade’s digits:
Price: US$2799.99
Availability: North America Q4 2011
Product Specifications:
- 2.8GHz Intel® Core™ i7 2640M Processor
- 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory
- 17.3″ LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)
- NVIDIA GeForce® GT 555M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology
- 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
- Built-in HD Webcam
- Integrated 60Wh Battery
- 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
- Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible
- 16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)
Again, I’m trying not to get too excited…but I can’t help it! The Razer Blade is the most exciting non-Apple laptop I’ve seen in years. Keep in mind that I was reviewing laptops for PC Magazine and Computer Shopper in the ’90s before I started writing about games. It’s extremely rare for me to be this jazzed about a Windows laptop and here I am drooling over the Blade. Ha!
How about you? Any of you ladies and gents interested in the Blade?
[Updated at 2:21PM PDT with the promo video below.]
It is a $2800 LoL machine! Nice
Yeah, but it's inline with other high-end gaming laptops. On paper, the only thing disappointing is that it doesn't use SSD.
My comment was aimed at the game in the pics haha. That is an amazingly powerful gaming machine.
I paid a little over $4,000 for my laptop a long time ago. It had a 3.8GHz P4 in it. I think I had the option to get it up to 4Ghz but not sure. That thing weighed nearly 15 pounds. I had to "sell" it to my wife's father to pay for it.
This laptop seems cool, but I can't see myself spending that kind of money on it.