Razer kicked PAX Prime 2011 off with the announcement of their new Razer Blade laptop, which they're calling "the world’s first true gaming laptop". It's powered with a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with NVIDIA Optimus Technology video card sporting 2GB of dedicated video memory, 8 GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a multi-touch LED configurable "Switchblade Interface" trackpad panel that displays additional information when a mouse is used next to a full-size keyboard. All this on an aluminum chassis and weighing 6.97 lbs.
We checked out Razer's miniaturized, mobile gaming computer Switchblade back at CES earlier this year, but that still hasn't come out yet, and it looks like some of that tech has gone into this sytem. What will the Blade set you back? A whopping $2799.99. That's a lot of bucks for your gaming bang. Will it be worth it? We'll be putting one through the paces as soon as it's available, so be sure to check back. But, what do you think? Is that completely drool-worthy, or too steep in price? One thing is for sure, it certainly looks extremely sexy.
PAX Prime, Seattle – August 26th, 2011 – The PC industry today has never looked bleaker. The world’s largest PC-maker Hewlett-Packard just announced their intention to explore the separation of its PC business. With PC manufacturers increasingly abandoning design and technology in lieu of outsourcing and cost-cutting, the PC industry has seen a severe dearth of innovation in recent years. Gaming consoles have also taken advantage of this innovation slump in the PC industry to garner attention from game developers and gamers alike, to the extent that now PC versions of cross-platform games are often sub-par ports of their console counterparts.
Razer, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, introduces the Razer Blade – a full aluminum chassis gaming laptop featuring true portability, incredible performance, and an all-new revolutionary user interface. With the introduction of the Razer Blade – a feat of modern-day systems engineering and technology, Razer is reinvigorating technological and design innovation for the entire PC industry, and encouraging gamers and developers to return to the PC as the primary gaming platform of choice.
Mobile systems developed for gaming today compromise on portability and form factor for game performance. While such machines run games well, they are over 2 inches thick and can weigh more than 10lbs. The Razer Blade measures 0.88 inches thin, less than half that of current mobile gaming systems, and weighs only 6.97lbs, achieving a balance between portability and performance – making it the world’s first true gaming laptop.
Developed in partnership with Intel, the Razer Blade features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor. The hardware was designed to run the most demanding games of today without sacrificing the laptop’s portable form factor. The Razer Blade also does not compromise on screen size as it comes with an incredible LED-backlit high-definition 17” display.
The Razer Blade features the Switchblade User Interface - Razer’s multi-award winning, highly intuitive interface technology. The interface is comprised of 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys for easier access of in-game commands, and an LCD capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information when a mouse is in use; and another mode that functions as an ultra-sensitive, multi-touch panel designed for gaming on the go.
“The Razer Blade was designed to give gamers a laptop they could truly use on the go,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “Its sleek, lightweight aluminum construction makes it the thinnest 17-inch gaming laptop available today.”
“We’re proud to co-develop this revolutionary gaming laptop with Razer,” said Mooly Eden, VP and General Manager of the PC Client Group, Intel. “Utilizing our fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the Razer Blade delivers top-class gaming performance in a portable form factor.”
“Powered by an advanced NVIDIA GeForce® GPU with award winning NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, the Razer Blade has the muscle to run cutting edge games with intense graphics while still offering amazing portability,” said Rene Haas, General Manager of Notebook Products, NVIDIA.
“The Switchblade User Interface on the Razer Blade is a revolutionary innovation that truly defines the new standard for gaming experiences on a laptop,” said Min-Liang Tan.
About the Razer Blade gaming laptop
The Razer Blade is a 17” gaming laptop that delivers incredible performance and a revolutionary user interface in a sleek, portable form factor. It features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor designed in a lightweight aluminum chassis. The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, found next to a full-size keyboard, was designed from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer’s fingertips. It features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also display in-game information. And at just 0.88 inches thin and only weighing 6.97lbs, the Razer Blade is the world’s first true gaming laptop.
Price: US$2799.99
Availability:
North America Q4 2011
Product Specifications:
- 2.8GHz Intel® Core i7 2640M Processor
- 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory
- 17.3" LED Backlit Display (1920x1080)
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with NVIDIA Optimus Technolog
- 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
- Built-in HD Webcam
- Integrated 60Wh Battery
- 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
- Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible
- 16.81" (Width) x 10.9" (Depth) x 0.88" (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)
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Comments
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SoulSeekerUSA
That is way over priced for that lame hardware.
Dondead
Me want, me want now! :P
I'd really like to know about the upgrade and guaranty options though. Like optional guaranty on accidental damage from coffee spills or dropping it etc (which is an option on Alienware laptops). Would also be sweet if you could buy it with a 128gb SSD primary drive and 500gb hybrid SSD for a secondary drive. :)
Zem0
make a separate keyboard with that touch panel and i will buy it but that laptop is so expensive and for such a small hard drive that isn't even SSD
LED_FARMER
dude i think the casing is made out metal from a different universe so that's why its overpriced LOL =P
18MW
Over-priced.
Silky08
Not concerned about the power but what about overheating?
kiohto
$3000 and you only get a 320Gb hdd? I have a 500gb and im already low on space. especially now since the Star Wars The Old Republic beta is eating up 38.1Gb of space
Keth
I'll bet that little panel drains the battery.
Wrathofsauron
Many gamers, I.e the target audience, will see right through the hyperbole surrounding this. Many are just not willing to drop that kind of money for a gaming laptop, however impressive it might be. The keyboard is the one piece of hardware that truly catches my eye though. If they were to sell that touch-screen, programmable keyboard as a standalone unit, I, and many of my gaming brethren, would certainly take interest. It's possible the idea just hasn't reached them, but i think that idea has serious market potential.
diabeticfever
Did anyone read the article. Its LESS than an INCH thick. Your paying for ultra-portability AND performance. I dont know about you but Im tired of dragging my "laptop" around with a back brace.
Oh yeah and if you don't want to buy it... you don't have to. :P
If you don't care about portability.............BUY A DESKTOP!!!!!!
(end rant)
spikeykirby
pc games aren't dead their just expensive lol
Atavax
this is why pc is dieing. Companies exploiting people's lack of knowledge of computer parts and shoveling inferior computer components for inflated prices. The pc i bought for $800 over 3 years ago has a better vid card then this piece of garbage.
Atavax
lol, a $3000 laptop that has a worse vid card then the $800 pc i got over 3 years ago.
Fusion13
Too pricey, if this gonna compete with "desktop replacement" laptops then its gonna have to drop at least to 23 hundred. If I can get a laptop with better specs for a lower price then this isn't worth it. Buyers will go for cheaper price over a gimmick like light weight or touch pad.
Electric_larry
This is a gaming laptop for ignorant people. Under powered and far overpriced.
Atrineas
I was expecting something much better, what the that arrogant title, but this thing is only slightly better, spec wise, than the Alienware m14x DEFAULT configuration. All this thing has over it is a 2-3 inch bigger screen and an i7 instead of i5, but the i5 can be oc'd to match the i7 clock speed with no problems. 8gigs of ram is more than you need, anything more than 4gigs is just overkill. And guess what? You can get the m14x with the same specs as this thing for about more than $1000 less, minus the slightly bigger screen. The switchblade interface seems cool though, but not worth the extra 1+k. $2800 is just way over priced. For that they should have slapped in a GTX 560m or a Radeon HD 6970m, an extra battery, 3 year warranty, and 3 years worth of foot massages and cooked breakfast in bed. So that you'd actually get your money's worth.
Anglicdemon00
Even though I have played with a few of their products before and the seems to do fairly well. My issue with this is price. At 3 grand I could go for an Alienware M11x which at base price is about 2000 less. And even though it might not be as fast, it does have a decent battery life.
partyboy8967
My alienware m14x has the same graphics card and and i7 processor for 1300$.... the only thing it has better is 8gb of ram. This thing is a joke, get the alienware m18x starting at 1999$
hadlee73
"the world s first true gaming laptop" and all it's got is a GT 555M? I love Razer products, but I absolutely want some of what they've been smoking this time. Don't get me wrong, a 555M is still good, but its no Nvidia GTX 460/560/580M (which comes standard on other gaming laptops that cost alot less).
bill_of_doom
i just want to see if this posts becuase my comments aren't posting for some reason
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