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Razer announced its first AMD-based gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 14, during its E3 keynote. Until now, Razer had been the last major laptop manufacturer that had stuck exclusively with Intel.
Razer is calling the new Blade "the most powerful 14-inch gaming laptop." And with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and GPU options ranging from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 up to an RTX 3080 with 8GB of VRAM and a 100W TGP, it could be a strong contender for our best gaming laptops list. But admittedly, 14-inches isn't a very popular size for gaming laptops, which are often 15-inches or larger.
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Razer Blade 14
Price
$1,799
$2,199
$2,799
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 (8GB)
Display
1920 x 1080, 144 Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium
2560 x 1440p, 165 Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium
2560 x 1440p, 165 Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium
Memory
16GB DDR4-3200 (soldered)
16GB DDR4-3200 (soldered)
16GB DDR4-3200 (soldered)
Storage
1TB PCIe SSD
1TB PCIe SSD
1TB PCIe SSD
Battery
61.6 WHr
61.6 WHr
61.6 WHr
Dimensions
12.59 x 8.66 x 0.66 inches / 319.7 x 220 x 16.8 mm
12.59 x 8.66 x 0.66 inches / 319.7 x 220 x 16.8 mm
12.59 x 8.66 x 0.66 inches / 319.7 x 220 x 16.8 mm
The company is claiming that, at 16.8 mm (0.66 inches) thin, it is the "thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop." Like Razer's other notebooks, the Blade 14 is milled from CNC aluminum with an anodized finish.
To cool those components, Razer is using vapor chamber cooling and what it calls "touchpoint thermal engineering" to keep commonly-touched surfaces, like the WASD keys, from getting too hot.
There are two display options: a 1920 x 1080 screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate, or a 2560 x 1550p panel with a 165 Hz refresh rate. Both use AMD FreeSync Premium to eliminate tearing.
For $1,799, you get an RTX 3060 and the FHD display. $2,199 nets you an RTX 3070 with the QHD screen, and for $2,799, Razer offers the RTX 3080 with the QHD panel. In every version, you get the same Ryzen 9 5900HX, 16GB of soldered RAM and a 1TB PCie SSD.
Ports include two USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Other features include Wi-Fi 6E support, Bluetooth 5.2, an IR camera to log in with Windows Hello, of course, per-key RGB lighting. The design also includes top-firing speakers tuned by THX, which Razer owns.
As of right now, the Blade 14 will be the only laptop in Razer's lineup with an AMD processor. The Blade 15, which still exclusively uses Intel chips, remains the flagship notebook. It's unclear if Razer intends to add the choice of either chip at any point in the future.
Razer is also using E3 to get into the laptop charger market. It announced the Razer USB-C 130W GaN Charger (GaN is short for Gallium Nitride) with two USB-C ports at 100W and two USB-A ports at 12W. It weighs just 349 grams (0.77 pounds) and measures 3,2 x 7.7 x 6.2 mm. It will compete with the best USB-C laptop chargers.
(Image credit: Razer)
The device can charge four devices at a time, including a laptop, though it wouldn't be enough to power the Blade 14 while gaming. The charger also comes with adapters for global travel. It's $179.99 and available for pre-order from Razer.com, Razer stores and other retailers. It's scheduled to ship within 30 days.
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Andrew E. Freedman is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming. He also keeps up with the latest news. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous work has shown up in Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, Kotaku, PCMag and Complex, among others. Follow him on Threads @FreedmanAE and BlueSky @andrewfreedman.net.You can send him tips on Signal: andrewfreedman.01
RTX 3080 in 14-inch chassis? Good Luck
This one should be called Lapburn instead of Laptop
I was thinking the same thing. And I really want to see the batter life. Also 16GB of RAM is not enough for that top trim. I wish companies stop that crap. 32GB is a must...especially for a gaming machine
Nice specs in certain aspects but the display is too small. It should have been a 15" minimum. As someone else said, 16Gb of RAM is entry level on a gaming machine anymore. The starting point for a high end build should be no less than 32Gb.
Wait, 16GB soldered RAM doesn't mix up with a gaming laptop.
I know it's slim, the slimmest, but I'll take upgradable RAM for extra 2-3mm blindly. Or at least, put 32GB on the 3070 & 3080 options for the same price (even with Ryzen 7 5800H instead, I don't mind this, I bet the delta between those APU's is larger than the RAM for Razer).
The lowest TDP the 3080 can be configured for is 80W, at least officially anyway. They're probably going to go with that and the rest will just be bragging rights that they have a 3080 in a 14" laptop.
I got the RTX 3080 version and so far so great. Doesn't seem to run any hotter/louder than my G15 with RTX 3070. And to those saying it should have been a 15" display, that sort of defeats the point. They already have a 15.6" model and there's plenty of other products in that range. The main appeal of this, and the reason I decided to bite, is due to the smaller form factor. It's definitely a niche market, so if you don't want something so small, there's a bunch of other great 15.6" options for cheaper, including the awesome G15.
