In the world of computer gaming, gamers often opt for PCs rather than laptops, as they are usually less expensive options. However, laptops are a great pickup for gaming on the move and sometimes can be much more practical. Such is the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2, and in today’s article, we are going to do a full review of this gaming machine.
This unit is by no means cheap, but it will provide you with the ultimate gaming experience with its high-end specs and fantastic performance. It is a true powerhouse and is built to run most modern games effortlessly. The entire Blade lineup is truly top-of-the-line, as it provides a perfect balance of power and portability. Of course, there is much more to this fantastic machine, and we will go into detail about it. So without any delay, let us start.
About Razer Blade 15 2018 H2
This laptop is a fantastic pickup for any gamer that is looking for a reasonably priced portable gaming station. Although it does offer an average battery life and mediocre storage space, it is packed with other features that will ensure your gaming sessions are always enjoyable.
In this review, we are going to start with some basic specs and then will get into performance and component details. So, let us begin.
Key Specifications
| Category | Specifications |
| Display | Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080) 144Hz |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 8750H (6 cores 12 Threads) |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
1. Gaming Performance
This laptop was marketed as a gaming machine right from the get-go, and it is safe to say that it offers fantastic performance for modern games, even though hardcore gamers are looking for graphics cards in the RTX range nowadays.
However, these cards are rather expensive and not for everyone’s budget, and when you are looking for something affordable that can still provide excellent performance, the GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q is more than suitable. Moreover, throughout the tests, we have concluded that this card can run most of the games at FHD resolution and high settings without running into performance issues.
However, in some modern titles such as Elden Ring, Spiderman, or Cyberpunk 2077, you would likely have to tweak settings a bit to get better FPS performance. Last-gen titles, on the other hand, will run smoothly and without any issues.
The 144Hz refresh rate display definitely helps, as you can take advantage of features on the graphics card, such as NVIDIA G-Sync, that will make the gaming performance even smoother and more pleasant on the eyes.
The Intel Core i7 8750H also provides a perfect combination with this laptop’s GPU, and 6 cores and 12 threads will work very well for modern titles. Mix that with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and you got yourself a fantastic gaming machine.
2. Display
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 sports a 15.6-inch 4K FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate for a steady frame rate. This display also provides you with excellent viewing angles and a very good contrast ratio. Moreover, it is super bright, with a maximum brightness of 400 nits.
Black uniformity and fantastic reflections are something that is absolutely normal and steady for this type of display, and the horizontal viewing angle is very good, with no degradation at the edges, which is a great piece of news. The vertical viewing angle is also on a very high level, with slight degradation at the top and the bottom of the screen.
Overall, this is a fantastic display for both gaming and creative work, as it provides superb color reproduction and viewing angles that are absolutely worth the price you are paying for it.
3. Battery Life
The battery life is something that is a drawback for this machine, as it is mediocre at best. Despite the fact that this is a lithium-ion battery, it does not provide much life, and you can use it for five to six hours on a single charge on mixed usage, and even lower when you are gaming.
With that said, it is important to note that this is a laptop that draws quite a bit of battery life when gaming, and it is generally recommended to avoid playing games on battery.
4. Connectivity
As far as connectivity goes, Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers plenty of options to go for. On this unit’s left side, you will find two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 3 port, and a headphone jack, which is pretty standard for modern-era gaming laptops – nothing out of the ordinary, but everything you would need.
On the right side, there is another USB 3.1 Type-A port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a Kensington lock slot. When it comes to wireless connectivity, this laptop offers 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1.
It is important to mention that the Thunderbolt 3 port is a praise-worthy feature as it supports Thunderbolt 3 displays, external graphics cards, and most high-speed peripherals that might come to your mind. Essentially, the connectivity options are nothing spectacular and out worldly but will grant you everything you require.
5. Keyboard, Trackpad, and Speakers
A quality keyboard, solid trackpad, and a nice pair of speakers are something that should definitely come as a standard, especially in newer laptops. Thankfully, Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 provides all of these and then some.
The keyboard is very responsive with delicate keys that are nice on touch and even have Chroma lighting, which looks absolutely fantastic against the matte surface of the laptop. The trackpad is also fairly sizeable, and when combined with this keyboard, it is a fantastic mix.
There is not much you can expect from built-in speakers on laptops, and the ones on this unit are also nothing spectacular. However they are decent for laptop speakers, but we would recommend you go for some external speakers or a quality headset to get the best possible experience.
6. Design and Build Quality
Although gamers generally do not care much about the visual appearance of their gaming rigs, at least not as much as they do for configuration and specs, there are some users that want their laptops to look as well as they perform.
If you are one of those gamers, you will be glad to hear that his Razer laptop, the same as most products of this company, looks truly stunning. The aesthetics are absolutely jaw-dropping, and gamers who look for their rigs to look the part will be more than thrilled with this design.
The build quality is also top-of-the-line, and the overall durability of this unit adds even more to the value you are getting. If you are looking for something that looks and feels premium, then this Razer laptop is exactly what you want.
- Full HD IPS Display with 144 Hz refresh rate
- Solid build quality and beautiful aesthetics
- Dedicated GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics card
- Excellent gaming performance
- 16 GB of DDR4 RAM for even faster response
- Keyboard with Chroma lighting and responsive keys
- Plenty of connectivity options
- G-Sync
- Mediocre battery life
- Low storage space
Final Words
Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is not the best gaming laptop you can find in today’s market, but it certainly checks various important boxes in the gaming department. It is an affordable laptop that will provide you with a decent performance, and you will not have to break the bank for it.
Essentially, this is a gaming rig that offers an excellent balance of value and price, and if you are in search of a decent gaming rig that does not cost a lot but can support most modern games, you should definitely give this unit a chance.