Razer, renowned for its high-performance gaming laptops, has unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Razer Blade Pro 17. This behemoth of a gaming laptop boasts impressive specifications, a sleek design, and a multitude of features that cater to even the most demanding gamers. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into every aspect of the Razer Blade Pro 17, exploring its strengths, and weaknesses, and ultimately determining whether it deserves its place among the elite gaming laptops.
Table of Contents
Design and Build Quality
With its sleek CNC-milled aluminum unibody, the Razer Blade Pro 17 exudes sophistication and precision. The matte black finish lends it an air of understated elegance, while the iconic Razer logo adorns the lid, a subtle yet unmistakable mark of gaming prowess. The laptop’s dimensions measure in at 15.55 x 10.24 x 0.78 inches, making it a substantial device, albeit still portable for a 17-inch laptop.
Sleek and Sturdy Design
One of the standout features of the Razer Blade Pro 17 is its sleek and sturdy design. The CNC-milled aluminum unibody not only gives it a premium look but also adds to its durability. The laptop feels solid and well-built, with no flex or creaking when handling it. The matte black finish also helps to prevent fingerprints and smudges, keeping the laptop looking clean and professional.
Portability and Ergonomics
Despite its size, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is surprisingly portable. It weighs in at 6.06 pounds, which may seem heavy compared to other laptops, but for a 17-inch gaming laptop, it is relatively lightweight. The laptop’s slim profile also makes it easy to slip into a backpack or bag for on-the-go gaming. Additionally, the keyboard and touchpad are well-positioned, providing a comfortable typing experience and easy navigation.
Customizable RGB Lighting
Razer is known for its customizable RGB lighting, and the Razer Blade Pro 17 is no exception. The laptop features per-key RGB backlighting, allowing users to customize the lighting for each individual key. This feature not only adds a touch of personalization but also enhances the overall gaming experience by providing visual cues and feedback during gameplay.
Display
The Razer Blade Pro 17 features a stunning 17.3-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. The display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles, ensuring an immersive and captivating gaming experience. The refresh rate of 240Hz provides exceptionally smooth and fluid gameplay, while the inclusion of G-Sync technology eliminates screen tearing and stuttering for a seamless gaming experience.
High-Quality Display
The 17.3-inch display on the Razer Blade Pro 17 is undoubtedly one of its standout features. The QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels provides crisp and clear visuals, making games and other media look stunning. The IPS panel ensures accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for both gaming and content creation. The high refresh rate of 240Hz also makes a noticeable difference in gameplay, providing a smoother and more responsive experience.
G-Sync Technology
The inclusion of G-Sync technology in the Razer Blade Pro 17 is a game-changer for gamers. G-Sync synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering for a seamless and immersive gaming experience. This technology is especially beneficial for fast-paced games, where every frame counts, and any lag or stuttering can be a hindrance.
Thin Bezels for Maximum Immersion
The Razer Blade Pro 17 features thin bezels, giving it a modern and sleek look. But more than just aesthetics, the thin bezels also contribute to the laptop’s immersive gaming experience. With minimal distractions on the screen, users can fully immerse themselves in their games, making for a more engaging and enjoyable gameplay.
Performance
The Razer Blade Pro 17 is powered by an Intel Core i7-10875H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super Max-Q graphics card, making it a powerhouse of a gaming laptop. It also comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD, providing ample storage and fast performance. But how does it perform in real-world usage?
Impressive Gaming Performance
The Razer Blade Pro 17 delivers impressive gaming performance, thanks to its powerful components. The combination of the Intel Core i7 processor and the RTX 2080 Super Max-Q graphics card allows for smooth and lag-free gameplay, even on high settings. In our tests, we were able to play AAA titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 at high graphics settings without any noticeable drop in frame rates.
Multitasking and Productivity
Aside from gaming, the Razer Blade Pro 17 also excels in multitasking and productivity tasks. The 16GB of RAM provides enough memory for running multiple applications simultaneously, while the fast SSD ensures quick boot-up times and file transfers. We were able to switch between various programs and tasks seamlessly, without experiencing any slowdowns or crashes.
Cooling System
One of the concerns with high-performance gaming laptops is their tendency to overheat. However, the Razer Blade Pro 17 has an efficient cooling system that keeps the laptop’s temperature in check even during intense gaming sessions. The laptop features a vapor chamber cooling system and dual fans, which work together to dissipate heat and keep the laptop running at optimal temperatures.
Features and Connectivity
The Razer Blade Pro 17 comes with a range of features and connectivity options that cater to the needs of gamers. Let’s take a closer look at some of these features.
Thunderbolt 3 Port
The Razer Blade Pro 17 comes equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port, which allows for lightning-fast data transfer speeds and the ability to connect multiple external displays. This feature is especially useful for content creators who need to work with large files or gamers who want to set up a multi-monitor gaming setup.
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
The Razer Blade Pro 17 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster and more stable internet connectivity. It also has Bluetooth 5.1, which offers improved range and speed compared to previous versions. These features ensure a smooth and uninterrupted online gaming experience.
Per-Key RGB Backlit Keyboard
In addition to customizable lighting, the Razer Blade Pro 17 also has a per-key RGB backlit keyboard. This feature not only adds to the laptop’s aesthetics but also allows for better visibility and control in dimly lit environments. The keys are also well-spaced and have satisfying tactile feedback, making typing and gaming comfortable and enjoyable.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops are not known for their long battery life, and the Razer Blade Pro 17 is no exception. With its powerful components and high-resolution display, it is expected that the laptop would consume a lot of power. In our tests, we were able to get around 4-5 hours of battery life with moderate usage, including web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. However, when it comes to gaming, the battery life significantly decreases, lasting only about 2-3 hours on a single charge.
Price and Value for Money
The Razer Blade Pro 17 is undoubtedly a premium gaming laptop, and with that comes a hefty price tag. The base model starts at $2,599, while the top-of-the-line model can cost up to $3,799. However, considering its powerful performance, sleek design, and range of features, the Razer Blade Pro 17 offers excellent value for money compared to other high-end gaming laptops on the market.
Conclusion
After an in-depth analysis of the Razer Blade Pro 17, it is safe to say that it lives up to its reputation as a high-performance gaming laptop. Its sleek design, powerful components, and range of features make it a top contender in the gaming laptop market. While it may come at a premium price, the Razer Blade Pro 17 offers excellent value for money, making it a worthy investment for serious gamers and content creators alike. With its impressive display, smooth performance, and customizable features, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is a force to be reckoned with in the world of gaming laptops.