The Razer Blade 16 (2023) comes remarkably close to being the perfect gaming laptop, with its outstanding performance and a stunning screen boasting a fast refresh rate. Nearly every aspect, from the well-designed keyboard and trackpad to the quality of the display, impresses. However, it’s essential to address the elephant in the room – its incredibly steep price tag.
Pros:
+Exceptional performance
+Stunning screen with a swift refresh rate
+Thoughtfully designed in almost every aspect
Cons:
-Exorbitantly expensive
-Fingerprint-prone finish
-Pricey upgrades
Razer Blade 16 (2023): Quick Reviews
The Razer Blade 16 is a laptop that demands attention, and it’s not for the faint of heart—or more accurately, wallet. Unlike budget or mid-tier gaming laptops, it abandons the rugged plastic chassis and aggressive “gamer” design, opting for an elegant yet still gaming-inspired look.
In its base configuration, which we’ve tested here, finding significant flaws is challenging. However, its exorbitant price tag is the primary roadblock preventing it from claiming the title of the best gaming laptop on the market. Mind you, we’re talking about the base configuration; any upgrades will further dent your bank account. One intriguing feature worth mentioning is the dual-mode display, offering a choice between a 3840 x 2400p resolution at a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a 1920 x 1200p resolution with an astonishing 240Hz refresh rate. This allows you to optimize your laptop for either video editing with top-notch quality or achieving esports-level gaming performance.
So, if your budget allows for it, there’s no denying that the Razer Blade 16 deserves a spot among the elite gaming laptops. But, for most of us, affording one might involve parting ways with more than a few hard-earned dollars, possibly even considering selling a kidney or two.
Razer Blade 16 (2023): Price And Availability
How much does it cost? The starting price is $2,699.99 (approximately £2,120 / AU$4,100).
When is it available? It’s available now.
Where can you get it? Currently, it’s exclusively available in the US.
Now, let’s dive into the cost of the Razer Blade 16, and brace yourself for a hefty price tag. The base configuration, priced at $2,699.99 (roughly £2,119 / AU$4,111), will require a substantial chunk of your savings. What makes this laptop less appealing, if not downright unattractive, is its price point. However, it does offer a compact design for a 16-inch display and boasts formidable specifications, including an Intel Core i9-13950HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Not to forget the QHD+ (2560 x 1600p) screen with a 240 Hz refresh rate – and this is just the base configuration.
Be prepared to open your wallet wide for any upgrades. A simple jump from 16GB to 32GB of RAM will set you back an additional $600 (around £471 / AU$914). Opting for the dual-mode display, which allows you to switch between different resolutions and refresh rates, will also come at an extra cost of $600 (approximately £471 / AU$914). If you fancy changing the colorway from black to Mercury, that’ll be an extra $1,100 (about £863 / AU$1,675). And the list goes on.
fully upgraded model
For a fully upgraded model, you’re looking at a jaw-dropping price of $4,299.99 (roughly £3,373 / AU$6,545). Surprisingly, this seems to be the trend among premium gaming laptops with Nvidia 4000 series GPUs. Take the MSI GT77 Titan (2023), for instance, starting at the same price of $4,299.99 (about £3,570 / AU$6,240). This gets you an Intel Core i9-13980HX, Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD.
If you’re seeking a more budget-friendly gaming laptop, consider options like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15. While it features AMD Ryzen CPUs and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 series GPUs, it starts at a significantly lower price point of $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,599.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Razer Blade 16, beyond its premium price tag, is currently restricted to the US market.
Price score: 3 / 5
Razer Blade 16 (2023): Specifications
The Razer Blade 16 offers a range of configurations, and we’ve got the base model for our review. Here are the specifications for the Razer Blade 16 (2023):
| Component | Base / Review Configuration | Top Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.99 (about £2,119 / AU$4,111) | $4,299.99 (about £3,373 / AU$6,545) |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-13950HX | Intel Core i9-13950HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5-5600MHz | 32 GB DDR5-5600MHz |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD | 2 TB SSD |
| Screen | 16″ QHD+ 240 Hz, 16:10 (2560 x 1600 WQXGA) | 16″ UHD+, 16:10 (3840 x 2400 WQUXGA) / FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200, WUXGA) |
| Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2, 3x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, UHS-II SD Card Reader, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2, 3x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, UHS-II SD Card Reader, 3.5mm Combo-Jack |
| Wireless | Wireless Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth® 5.3 | Wireless Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth® 5.3 |
| Camera | Windows Hello built-in IR FHD w/ Shutter | Windows Hello built-in IR FHD w/ Shutter |
| Weight | 5.40 lbs (2.45 kg) | 5.40 lbs (2.45 kg) |
| Dimensions | 0.87 x 9.61 x 13.98 inches (21.99 x 244 x 355mm) | 0.87 x 9.61 x 13.98 inches (21.99 x 244 x 355mm) |
These specs give you a clear picture of what to expect from the Razer Blade 16 in both its base and top configurations. Choose wisely based on your needs and budget.
Razer Blade 16 (2023): Design
Elegant gamer aesthetics with a fingerprint-prone finish
Compact design, packing robust features
Comprehensive port selection for on-the-go gaming
In terms of aesthetics, the Razer Blade 16 falls into that intriguing category of gaming PCs and laptops that exude an elegant gamer look. It doesn’t attempt to masquerade as an Ultrabook; instead, it proudly flaunts its matte black aluminum chassis accented with subtle hints of green. While undeniably a gaming laptop, it manages to strike a balance between gaming flair and an attractive overall design. However, it’s worth noting that the finish does tend to attract fingerprints quite easily.
One of its standout features is its form factor. Razer has skillfully squeezed a stunning 16-inch display into a chassis that closely resembles that of a 15-inch laptop. Despite this compact size, the 16:10 aspect ratio ensures ample screen real estate. Even in its base configuration, it boasts a crisp 2560 x 1600p resolution running at an impressive 240 Hz refresh rate – making it a visually captivating screen.
13th-gen Intel Core i9
Internally, the Razer Blade 16 doesn’t disappoint either. With its 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics, and a 1TB SSD, it packs a powerful punch. Remarkably, considering its internal components, it maintains a slim profile, measuring a mere 0.87 inches when closed, though it weighs a substantial 5.4 lbs.
When it comes to connectivity, this laptop has you covered. It offers an extensive array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C 3.2 ports, both supporting power delivery, an HDMI 2.1 output, three USB ports, and a headphone jack. Creatives will appreciate the inclusion of a UHS-II SD card reader, making it versatile for tasks like photo or video editing.
The Razer Blade 16’s design seamlessly combines gaming aesthetics, compactness, and a comprehensive selection of ports, making it a top contender in the gaming laptop market.
Design score: 5 / 5
Razer Blade 16 (2023): Performance
Performance is simply outstanding, leaving little to be desired. Every facet of this laptop’s operation is a testament to its power and efficiency.
The keyboard and trackpad offer a seamless experience for a wide range of tasks, although, for gaming, a dedicated mouse is still the preferred choice. The generously sized trackpad can’t fully replace a mouse, especially in most gaming scenarios.
For those interested in streaming while gaming, the webcam delivers a crisp 1080p resolution at 30fps. It’s worth noting that the frame rate is capped at 30fps regardless of the resolution, but it provides a detailed image for your streaming needs.
The sound quality of the Razer Blade 16 is a pleasant surprise. While it may not rival external speakers or high-end headphones, it avoids the hollowness often associated with laptops. Instead, you’ll enjoy decent sound quality with a slightly boxy character due to a slight cut-off in the low and high ends. Nevertheless, it’s more than satisfactory. What truly shines is the soundstage and sound imaging, which enhance your gaming experience by providing precise audio cues. You can comfortably engage in competitive gaming using the internal speakers without compromising your performance.
In terms of system management, Razer simplifies everything by consolidating settings into its Synapse app. This user-friendly approach ensures easy access to critical functions, such as automatically deactivating certain keys during gameplay.
RAZER BLADE 16: LAPTOP BENCHMARKS
Now, let’s delve into the Razer Blade 16’s performance benchmarks:
- 3DMark: Night Raid: 58,900; Fire Strike: 20,425; Time Spy: 10,547
- GeekBench 6: 2492 (single-core); 12125 (multi-core)
- 25GB File Copy: 13.8 seconds
- Handbrake 1.6: 4 minutes and 37 seconds
- CrossMark: Overall: 1835, Productivity: 1815, Creativity: 1861, Responsiveness: 1816
- Total War: Warhammer III: 1080p (Low) 212.4 fps, 1080p (Ultra) 81.5 fps
- Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Low) 121.45 fps, 1080p (Ultra) 76.84 fps
- Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 12 seconds
- PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 1 hour and 38 minutes
In summary, the Razer Blade 16 delivers awe-inspiring performance across the board. It flawlessly handles a variety of games, even at max settings with ray tracing enabled in titles like Control, Far Cry 6 (without ray tracing), and Gotham Knights. The only minor performance hiccups were observed while running Hogwarts Legacy, especially with ray tracing on medium, where slight stuttering became noticeable. With ray tracing set to the highest level, performance remained good but occasional stuttering disrupted the immersive experience, though it didn’t impact gameplay significantly.
Performance score: 5 / 5
The Razer Blade 16 demonstrates remarkable performance, making it a top contender for gaming enthusiasts and power users alike.
Razer Blade 16 (2023): BATTERY LIFE
Over 5 hours of usage per charge
Versatile charging options
The Razer Blade 16 offers approximately 5 hours of usage on a single charge. While it may not break any records, considering its powerhouse components like the Nvidia GeForce 4000 series GPU, this battery life is respectable. Ultrabooks and Chromebooks, renowned for their extended battery life, can reach over 10 hours, but they don’t have the demanding hardware of the Razer Blade 16.
One notable feature is the flexibility in charging methods. You’re not limited to the standard power supply; you can use either the Thunderbolt or USB-C port for charging. Despite its remarkable qualities, Razer has yet to bridge the gap in battery life between gaming laptops and their more power-efficient counterparts.
Battery score: 4 / 5
SHOULD YOU BUY THE RAZER BLADE 16 (2023)?
Price: It’s undeniably expensive and currently limited to the US. (3 / 5)
Design: Razer has skillfully crafted a slim laptop packed with top-end components and a stunning 16-inch display. (5 / 5)
Performance: The Razer Blade 16 delivers exceptionally smooth performance in nearly all scenarios, even under demanding conditions. (5 / 5)
Battery: While the battery life is commendable for a gaming laptop, it doesn’t stand out. (4.5 / 5)
Average rating: Despite its high cost, the Razer Blade 16 fulfills all expectations for a gaming laptop. (4.5 / 5)
Buy it if…
- You seek outstanding gaming performance, regardless of the price.
- You desire a high-refresh-rate display, ideal for competitive gaming at 240Hz.
Don’t buy it if…
- You’re on a tight budget; this laptop comes with a hefty price tag.
- You prefer a more compact laptop; the Razer Blade 16 is relatively large compared to some alternatives.
Razer Blade 16 (2023): ALSO CONSIDER
If the Razer Blade 16 review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to contemplate:
| Attribute | Razer Blade 16 (2023) | Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 | MSI GT77 Titan (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Starting at $2,699.99 (about £2,119 / AU$4,111) | Starting at $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,599 | Starting at $4,299.99 (about £3,570 / AU$6,240) |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-13950HX | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Ryzen 7 5800H CPU in UK and AUS) | Intel Core i9-13980HX (Up to 5.6 GHz) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – RTX 3080 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 – RTX 4090 |
| RAM | From 16 GB DDR5-5600MHz | 16 – 32GB | 64 – 128GB DDR5 4800MHz |
| Storage | From 1 TB SSD | 512 GB – 1TB SSD | 2 TB – 4 TB SSD |
| Screen | 15.6-inch QHD (1440p), 165Hz, 3ms, 300 nits | 16″ UHD+, 16:10 (3840 x 2400 WQUXGA) / FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200, WUXGA) | 17.3-inch IPS, 4K 144Hz Mini LED, HDR 1000, 100% DCI-P3 |
| Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2, 3x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, UHS-II SD Card Reader, 3.5mm Combo-Jack | 2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB Type-A, 1x MicroSD, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 1x Kensington lock | 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 3.5mm combo jack |
| Wireless | Wireless Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth® 5.3 | Wifi 6, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Camera | Windows Hello built-in IR FHD w/ Shutter | None | IR 720p HD w/shutter |
| Weight | 5.40 lbs (2.45 kg) | 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg) | 7.28 lbs (3.30 kg) |
| Dimensions | 0.87 x 9.61 x 13.98 inches (21.99 x 244 x 355mm) | 13.97 x 9.59 x 0.78 inches (355 x 243.5 x 19.9 mm) | 15.63 x 12.99 x 0.91 inches (397 x 329.95 x 23.11 mm) |
This table provides a clear comparison between the Razer Blade 16 (2023), Asus ROG Zephyrus G15, and MSI GT77 Titan (2023) in terms of key specifications and attributes.
