Razer Synapse And Other Included Software
Razer’s Synapse system is required for the Switchblade UI to fully function. When you first start the machine, you are greeted by an account login screen that asks for an email address and password. Until you register your email address with Razer’s online system, the Switchblade UI is nothing more than 10 dark buttons that do not work and a trackpad. Now, the touchpad still works, but much of the functionality that sets the Blade apart from other notebooks does not.
Attempting to use advanced Blade features prompts you with a message that directs you to log in and create an account for the SwitchBlade UI to work properly.
Once an account is created, the Switchblade UI comes to life. All user settings for the Switchblade UI are synced to the cloud via Razer’s Synapse, allowing settings to be moved across systems, keyboards, and other peripherals. Checking the "Stay Logged In" box permits Synapse-enabled devices to work even when a network connection is not available.
The Synapse software starts and shuts down with Windows. If there is a network connection available, the system syncs up with Razer’s cloud service and saves the Switchblade UI user settings. If there is no network connection available, settings are stored locally. This means that, if you wish, you can block Synapse from accessing the Internet and still have all the functionality that Switchblade UI provides.
The following screenshots take you through Synapse's features. Keep in mind that the software manages all Razer products on a system, so if you already have some Razer peripherals, you may see more options than those available exclusively on the Blade.
Gaming Mode lets you disable key combos that could accidentally interrupt a game.
Backlighting for the keyboard and Switchblade UI is adjusted and saved to the Synapse cloud service.
Multiple keyboard customizations are available, as are multiple profiles.
The Synapse software also lets you record and edit detailed macros, which can even be used outside of games.
The trade-off to the convenience of saving settings in Razer’s Synapse cloud service is that you end up providing information about your machine to Razer. Depending on your privacy preferences, this could be considered a bad thing.
Our biggest issue with the Synapse software is that until you create an account and log into it, the Blade is essentially a crippled machine. The Switchblade UI is truly its standout feature, and without a Synapse login, you end up with just another touchpad. This bothered us enough that we spent a couple of hours with Wireshark monitoring what the software sent, and to where.
Our privacy concerns were addressed when we received more information. We spoke with Razer representatives, who assured us that the only data collected related to the hardware settings and peripherals. Our own observations with Wireshark seem to support this.
The Synapse software can also be non-personalized, and “phoning home” can be permanently disabled as well. If you log in with a throwaway email address, Razer won't have your actual email address. If the box for “Stay Logged In” is checked, and the Synapse software is blocked through the system’s firewall settings, the Blade will never call home and sync. This also blocks software updates. But then again, very private folks are used to manually downloading and installing updates anyway. In the end, Razer most likely isn’t changing its focus from gaming to harvesting user data. We honestly believe that Synapse is meant to help users get the most out of their hardware.
Other than the Switchblade UI, there is very little additional software included with the Blade. What you get is there to control the machine's hardware. Razer’s gaming-oriented focus is well supported by a lack of bloatware.
Below is a screenshot from the Dolby Home Theater software, which handles audio output for movies, music, and games. The EQ settings work well in music mode, while the dialog enhancer tunes streaming movies (played both on the machine directly and via HDMI with a couple of LCD televisions).
Further control of audio settings is provided by the Realtek HD Audio Manager.
