Completely fresh and redesigned, it is the most expensive, the most powerful, the biggest screen gaming laptop and also a nice-looking tech piece. Similar to Apples products, Razer is known for not being easily affordable, but including sleek hardware devices.
The near 2.500USD price tag on the official Razer website, is an expected value considering the top quality and build they successfully deliver.
He is the specifications sheet:
CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core
i7-8750H (hexa-core, 9MB cache, up to 4.10GHz)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 (8GB GDDR6; MaxQ); Intel UHD Graphics 630
RAM: 16GB DDR4 (2,667MHz)
Screen: 15.6-inch FHD matte (1,920 x 1,080, 144Hz, IPS, 100%
sRGB)
Storage: 512GB SSD (NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4)
Ports: 1 x Thunderbolt 3; 3 x USB 3.1; 1 x mini DisplayPort
1.4; 1 x HDMI 2.0; headphone jack
Connectivity: Intel Wireless-AC 9560 (802.11ac); Bluetooth 5.0
Camera: HD webcam with Windows Hello (1MP, 720p)
Weight: 4.63 pounds (2.10kg)
Size: 13.98 x 9.25 x 0.70 inches (355 x 235 x 17.8mm; W x D x H)
The build is very similar to the 15 from this year. The same kind of design, shape, with the light-up snake Razer logo. It is an updated hardware product that keeps on giving. Unfortunately, the 15 laptop could be chipped easily, even if treated with care.
The 17 model still has the same problem and its fully recommended to purchase a case or a skin. Its a bigger device and wont fit on regular work backpacks. With that extra size you get a few more ports including a fast SD card reader for those who are into photography or videography.
In terms of screen quality, its colorful but does not present many differences between the 15 version. Even though it is fast and accurate, like a racing horse, we feel Razer has the ability to better improve screen quality even more. A 4k panel would work just fine and would be a huge improvement.
Performance wise, the laptop is solid and for the size we were surprised about how good it actually is. After running max ultra-graphics settings, PUBG, for example reached 133FPS, Battlefield V 112FPS and even Witcher 3 at 76FPS. For the best value/ price ratio, we would recommend the GeForce RTX 2060 laptop version.
Thermal performance is even more impressive. Small laptops mostly fail throttling lag, but for this 17 Razer innovated: the 2 fans remain on each side, with the vapor chamber on the center and the newly added extra smaller pair of fans on the front of the device. The fans suck air from the bottom and blow it across the device and all the components.
The bottom metal panel incorporates some directional pads, specifically designed for that said purpose. To do such an impressive air-cooling system and effectiveness on a laptop this thin, capable of maintaining high gaming settings, is impressive.
The only problem about excellent cooling with a device this thin is obviously lack of inside space. Besides, battery space is compromised. A better and more powerful 17 device has a smaller battery than the 15 version. At maximum 3h battery life, the device needs to always be connected to a power source in order to remain stable at full settings. Such a short battery life may lead the user to rethink about buying a gaming laptop in first place since it almost acts as a thin desktop gaming PC.
If youre interested in this device, or if youre trying to decide between the 15 model and the 17 model, we would probably advise you to go towards the 15 version mostly because of the battery life reduction and its uncomfortably bigger to travel with. For those who really need a bigger laptop and want the very best laptop gaming experience, go for the 17 version, you wont regret it.
Written by: Joo Santos