Razer Blade Stealth Series

The Razer Blade Stealth Series is a laptop lineup from Razer Inc. It was first launched 6 January 2016 during the Consumer Electronics Show alongside the Razer Core, the external graphics box. The product won the CES 2016 Best Laptop Award for its unique design choice of detaching the powerful GPU from the main device and connecting the two via Thunderbolt 3, thus allowing users to choose either power or portability. The current lineup consists of 5 versions of this laptop - 2016, early 2017, late 2017, 2019, and 2020 models - and 3 versions of the Razer Core - Razer Core V1, Razer Core V2, and Razer Core X.[1]

Razer Blade Stealth Series

Razer Blade Stealth 2019 in Microsoft Store Sydney
Developer	Razer Inc.
Product family	Razer Blade
Type	Laptop (UltraBook)
Release date	2016 January 6th (Razer Blade Stealth 2016) 2017 January (Razer Blade Stealth Early 2017) 2017 December (Razer Blade Stealth Late 2017) 2019 January (Razer Blade Stealth 2019)
Operating system	Windows 10 home/ Windows 10 pro
Website	https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-blade-stealth

History

Razer started with developing gaming mouse, then 2012, they started their first step toward gaming laptop with Razer blade (2012), which contains game oriented graphics, macro programmable keyboards and touchscreen touchpad.[2] Razer refreshed the product in 2014 with a similar design to ordinary laptops. In 2016, the company launched Razer blade stealth. The device was no longer following a trend of installing gaming graphic cards, but instead, attach a mobile Intel U processor and amplify the graphics performance by the external graphic box.[3]

Razer Blade Stealth (2016)

Launch

Launched in CES 2016, got a design award. Launched with a price of US$999, for a QHD model.[4]

Thunderbolt 3 support

Razer blade stealth's power plug supports Thunderbolt 3 supports with 4 lanes of PCI Express.[5] It is like a USB, but with much quicker respond speed. Therefore, it is capable of receiving 10gpbs of speed with external hardware that is connected with the laptop such as external graphics card box. The concept of external graphics was started from dell Alienware series. However, it required specific hardware called Alienware graphics amplifying box,[6] which doesn't use Thunderbolt 3. Hence, many tech reviews and CES teams are suggesting that this is not versatile compared to Razer's solution.

Razer Blade Stealth Chroma Lighting. (2016 variant)

Razer Chroma and Synapse software support

Razer Blade Stealth 2017. Until 2019 model, all of the Stealth series follows this form factor.

Razer blade stealth supports full Chroma lightning with Razer Synapse software.[7] Chroma lighting is a unique show light features on mouse and keyboard of all the Razer products. The keyboard in Razer blade also features identical experience with other Razer Chroma devices. The device comes with pre-installed Razer Synapse software and the software supports key clicks, Macro creating and other features that are supported within other Razer Keyboards.

Variants (2016 model)

	CPU	Graphics	RAM	Screen	Storage	Connectivity	Camera	Weight	Size
UHD version	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-6500U	Intel HD graphics 620	16GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	3840X2160 UHD+ 4K	256 or 512GB PCIe M.2	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	2MP built-in webcam	2.84 pounds	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
QHD version	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-6500U	Intel HD graphics 620	8GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	12.5 inch QHD+ (2560 X1440)	128GB SSD or 256 GB SSD PCle M.2	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	2MP built in webcam	2.84 lb (1.29 kg)	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)

Reception

Razer blade got a Best of CES 2016 winner title. According to the article, it is due to their work with Razer Chroma lighting, Thunderbolt 3 support and unique design compare to other competitors like dell Dell XPS 13 and LG Gram.[8]

PC mag editor's choice for 2016. PC mag editor Matthew Buzzi gave 4.5 out of 5 ratings for Razer Blade Stealth. "Sleek design" with "premium material", "high-resolution touch display was the advantages" and "shallow key travel" was the only disadvantage.[9]

Razer Blade Stealth (Early 2017, Late 2017)

Launch

Early 2017 variants were launched during CES and late 2017 was launched online only.[10]

Early 2017

Updated with Intel 7th gen CPU. Another Variant with core i5 to reduce the price. Core i5 version retails at around US$900 and still have the same specification with another model, except the CPU processor.[11] Also, the touchpad was improved by supporting windows precision driver setting as a default. Therefore, it supports windows touchpad gestures.

Late 2017

Refreshed with 13-inch screen from 12.5, by reducing the side bezel. Late 2017 comes with two colors, which is gunmetal color and black with green Razer logo.

Late 2017 comes with same form factors with Early 2017 and CPU upgrade from 7th gen Intel i7 CPU to 8th get Intel i7 CPU.[12]

Variants (Early 2017)[13]

	CPU	Graphics	RAM	Screen	Storage	Connectivity	Camera	Weight	Size
UHD version	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-7500U	Intel HD graphics 620	16GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	3840X2160 UHD+ 4K	256 or 512GB PCIe M.2	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	2MP built-in webcam	2.84 pounds 1.28 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
QHD version	2.7 GHz intel Core i7—7500U	Intel HD graphics 620	8GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	12.5 inch QHD+ (2560 X1440)	128GB SSD, 256 GB SSD	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	2MP built in webcam	2.84 pounds 1.28 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
core i5 version[14]	2.7 GHz intel Core i5—7200U	Intel HD graphics 620	8GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	12.5 inch QHD+ (2560 X1440)	128GB SSD, 256 GB SSD	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	2MP built in webcam	2.84 pounds 1.28 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)

Variants (Late 2017)[15]

	CPU	Graphics	RAM	Screen	Storage	Connectivity	Chroma Keyboard	Weight	Size
Late 2017 (Black)	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-8550U	Intel HD graphics 620	16GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	3200×1800 QHD+ IGZO 13.3 inch	256 GB SSD, 512 GB SSD, 1 TB SSD	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	Yes. Individually backlit (RGB) keys with green lit RAZER logo on lid.	2.84 pounds 1.28 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
Late 2017 (Gun metal)	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-8550U	Intel HD graphics 620	16GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	3200×1800 QHD+ IGZO 13.3 inch	256 GB SSD, 512 GB SSD, 1 TB SSD	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	No. Individually backlit (white) keys with etched RAZER logo on lid.	2.84 pounds 1.28 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)

Razer Blade Stealth (2019)

Launch

The 2019 model of Razer Blade Stealth was announced on CES 2019, which was held on 8 January 2019.

Hardware

Razer Blade Stealth 2019

Razer refreshed the design of Razer Blade stealth toward more unique design then before. Also, the design language now fits with their Razer Blade 15 lineup. There is no longer a glowing green LED Razer logo behind the laptop led and does not support Razer Chroma, but instead single light zone keyboard. The display bezel was shrunk down to have a 14 inch screen on a 13 inch form factor. The touchpad was updated from plastic finish to glass finish.

Blade Stealth's camera now supports IR bio-metrics. Hence, it will support windows hello functionality.

One of the variant is using MX150 graphics card, which can perform about 30% better than the 8th gen Intel's internal graphics. Thus, 2019 model can play light game and show better video editing performance without the external Razer Core.

Variants (2019)

	CPU	Graphics	RAM	Screen	Storage	Connectivity	Chroma Keyboard	Weight	Size
2019 Base Model Black	2.7 GHz intel Core i7-8550U	Intel HD graphics 620	8GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board	1920 X 1080 FHD 13.3 inch	256 GB SSD	Killer Wireless 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1 SSDPorts: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 x HDMI 2.0, headset jack	Single zone RGB	2.82 lbs 1.27 kg	12.6 x 8.1 x 0.52 inches (W x D x H)
2019 Graphics Model Black / Quartz Pink		NVIDIA Geforce MX150	16GB RAM (LDDR3-1866MHZ) soldered on to the memory board					2.89 lbs 1.31 kg
2019 Graphics Model 4K Black				3840 X 2160 4K 13.3 inch	512 GB SSD			3.04 lbs 1.38 kg
Late 2019 Graphics Model Black	Quad-Core 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (Max-Q)	16GB RAM (LPDDR4 3733MHz) dual-channel onboard memory (Fixed)	1920 X 1080 FHD 13.3 inch	512 GB SSD	Wi-Fi 6 - Intel Wireless-AX 201 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity		3.13lbs 1.42kg	11.99 x 8.27 x 0.60 inches (W x D x H)

Razer Core

Razer Core is Thunderbolt 3 powered External graphics card container. This box can be directly connected to the computer and supports lacking graphics power of the laptop. Razer Blade Stealth does not have a dedicated GPU (Intel U series). However, the device can be connected to Razer Core to play the game.

The core is a GPU mounter. Therefore, it does not come with the graphics card itself. The variation of GPU that can be mounted to the core is as following.

Razer Core V1

Razer Core V1 running with Nvidia GTX1080

Razer core V1 was introduced in CES 2016 and launched month after the event. It was retailed at $499 USD. Device can store full length double wide PCle desktop graphics card, including AMD and Nvidia graphic cards.

Razer core contains 4 USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet port and thunderbolt connection to connect with laptop.

	Connections	Max GPU Size	Size	Weight	Razer Chroma	Power Delivery
Razer Core V1	Thunderbolt 3 External Graphics PCle Connection 4 USB 3.0	310mm (Depth) X 152 mm (Height) X 44mm (Width)	353 mm Length/ 105 mm width/ 220 mm Height	4.94 kg	Yes (Bottom of the box)	500 Watts

Razer Core V2

Razer core V2 introduced with Late 2017 version of Razer Blade Stealth. The V2 fixed one of the major issue of the V1, which is USB 3.0 does not work well when they use GPU intensive program. It is because V1 was using one PCle line for both of the connection (USB and thunderbolt). From the V2, they are using separate Pcle line for the two connections. Thus, it performs much more reliably.

Furthermore, now the box can handle bigger size GPU by enlarging the size of the enclosure to improve the future upgradability.

	Connections	Max GPU Size	Size	Weight	Razer Chroma	Power Delivery
Razer Core V2	Thunderbolt 3 External Graphics Two PCle Connection 4 USB 3.0	11.81 x 1.69 x 5.71 inch	353 mm Length/ 105 mm width/ 220 mm Height	4.94 kg	Yes (Bottom of the box)	500 Watts

Razer Core X

Razer Core X was launched to the market at the end of 2018. Retailed at price of $299 USD. The specification of product is unchanged from the Core V2. However, Razer Chroma Lightning is gone to reduce the price, as well as the 4 USB 3.0 ports and Gigabit Ethernet.

	Connections	Max GPU Size	Size	Weight	Razer Chroma	Power Delivery
Razer Core X	Thunderbolt 3 External Graphics Two PCle Connection	11.81 x 1.69 x 5.71 inch	353 mm Length/ 105 mm Width/ 220 mm Height	4.94 kg	No	650 Watts

Razer Core X Chroma

Razer Core X Chroma was launched to the market on April 16th, 2019. Retailed at price of $399 USD. Comes with 4x USB 3.1 and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

	Connections	Max GPU Size	Size	Weight	Razer Chroma	Power Delivery
Razer Core X Chroma	Thunderbolt 3 External Graphics Two PCIe Connection 4 USB 3.1 Gigabit Ethernet	12.99 x 2.24 x 6.29 inch	374 mm Length/ 168 mm Width/ 230 mm Height	6.91 kg	Yes	700 Watts

References

1. "Laptops | Official Razer Support". support.razer.com. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
2. "About Razer". www.razer.com. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
3. Ackerman, Dan. "Razer Blade Stealth review: A fully equipped, great-looking laptop for less than you'd think". CNET. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
4. Ackerman, Dan. "Razer Blade Stealth review: A fully equipped, great-looking laptop for less than you'd think". CNET. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
5. "Razer Blade Stealth 12.5" (2016) - Intel 6500U | Official Razer Support". support.razer.com. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
6. "Alienware Graphics Amplifier | Dell Australia". Dell. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
7. "Ultrabook Buyer's Guide: Best Laptops for External GPU". eGPU.io. 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
8. "Presenting the Best of CES 2016 winners!". Engadget. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
9. Buzzi, By Matthew; March 1, 2016 10:18AM EST; March 1, 2016. "Razer Blade Stealth (QHD, Early 2016)". PCMAG. Retrieved 2019-05-16.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
10. Gartenberg, Chaim (2017-06-14). "Razer grows up with the updated Razer Blade Stealth". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
11. Buzzi, By Matthew; February 7, 2017 2:02PM EST; February 7, 2017. "New Razer Blade Stealth (Intel Core i5, Early 2017)". PCMAG. Retrieved 2019-05-16.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
12. Buzzi, By Matthew; October 23, 2017 3:15PM EST; October 23, 2017. "Razer Blade Stealth (Late 2017)". PCMAG. Retrieved 2019-05-16.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
13. "Razer Blade Stealth 13" (2017) - Intel 7500U | Official Razer Support". support.razer.com. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
14. Hinum, Stefan. "Razer Blade Stealth QHD, Intel Core i5-7200U". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
15. "Razer Blade Stealth 13" (2017) - Intel 8550U | Official Razer Support". support.razer.com. Retrieved 2019-05-16.