Razer Blade (2014) Owner's Lounge

Thanks for the reply, it seems to be behaving now with newer intel drivers.

 

Can you please note which intel drivers you are using and exactly where you got them? Anything special that you had to do during install? I've heard too many horror stories about installing them and causing more problems than they fixed.

With the NVidia I just let them update on their own and I've never had problems, the intel ones I didn't want to mess up optimus or anything else with the screen or using the 870m.

 

I haven't seen this low memory issue, what game can replicate this issue without fail?

 

The low memory thing is: Windows 8.1 x64 - Low memory while playing full screen games - Microsoft Community

 

Pretty much any game that uses over 2GB from what I've seen. Like the poster above me I know it's been around a while and isn't a Razer issue. Watch Dogs without fail will do its since it uses around 2.1GB memory. I just ignore the error and play for hours without problem, it's just annoying. Some games task switch out when the error comes up and you either die in game or it can even mess up your cursor.

 

I experienced it when I kept my native resolution at 3200x1800 playing BF4. But after I realized most games just don't work right when my native resolution is 3k and I am playing the games in 1080p, so I just change the native to 1080p now. It is pretty annoying but I can't seem to find a solution for it. Point is, it happens pretty regularly on BF4 when my native is 3k.

 

Awesome! So it's a Windows issue that Microsoft needs to patch.

 

No clue, complete sudden failure. All the lights (keyboard, logo, front led) would cycle on and off every ten seconds or so. The laptop actually got warm even though it wasn't on so it may have been turning on and off internally. They said to send it back and I should be receiving a new one next week.

 

Good gaming monitor but keep in mind you won't get the extra features if you plug it into the razer. You will be limited to HDMI output which means 1080p@60hz by the spec (you might be able to push it further but not terribly likely). For your razer you are better off getting a standard monitor unless you have a computer with a dual link DVI output to get the 144hz/3d (which is awesome, I might add, I have two 3d screens and am completely addicted).

 

I was limited to 85hz, with my 60hz display. With one rated higher refresh you may be able to go higher.

 

You pushed 1080p at 85Hz over hdmi? Wow I didn't think it had the bandwidth, that's very nice to hear if true.

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Yes at 1080 it will do 85 just fine. It accepts 90 but my display just says out of range so it likely is a limitation of my monitor. The cable I have is well enough to push over 60Hz at 4k but I can only get 33hz out of it without goofing around with custom timings.

 

Im at work right now, I just used the intel updater on their website, no problems. I didn't know there could be issues with them, i use it frequently without issues on my u500vz.
Latest driver dated march off the top of my head.

Still getting the low memory issue after using it a while, the driver seems fine though.

 

hate it when you get a dead pixel even if its a small one. now I don't know if im going to return it now for exchange (thru Microsoft complete) but I hate waiting again I don't think they will let me keep this and wait for the replacement razer blade they are out of stock too!!!

 

Hey guys,

I have a strange issue. I have both a Naga Epic and a Blackwidow Ultimate, along with the 2014 RB. I have always had the Naga hooked up to the Blade with no issues with Synapse. I just attached the Blackwidow, and the Synapse application has completely just locked up. It won't start, even if I end the process and restart it. Has anyone else had this same problem?

 

Check Windows update

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=9672694

 

Just got my blade today!! I couldn't wait to open it and opens it in the car lol. I pushed the power button and the battery is fully depleted!! Guess I'll have to wait till I get home. Has anyone had this happen and have you had problems with charging or maintaining charge?

 

I did not open it until I got home, because I made an unboxing video. I plugged in the cord before pushing the power button. The battery started out at less than 20%. Not too surprised that yours was fully depleted. As far as maintaining charge goes, I haven't done any battery test yet. I'll eventually make a full review of the Blade perhaps next week. League of Legends test and gameplay video coming tonight.

 

hey guys, I was wondering if there is an extra SSD slot like the previous generation razerblade 14.

I tried searching the forums 'cause i'm pretty sure the answer is in there, but I couldn't find it. they are selling 1TB msata SSD's now and i'm pretty sure they will come out for m.2 sata pretty soon if there was an extra slot

-bok

 

Nope........

 

If you actually read the intro instruction book (the square black one)... about the first thing they tell you is that you have to charge it up first (3 hours or so).
Of course the very last thing anyone ever does anymore is actually read product manuals...
and by the way it also tells you how to register your blade in that same square manual.

 

You guys see the Aorus x3 announcement? Thoughts on the competition vs. RB2014?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Moved due to original video no longer online.

 

Shrug. Competition is good. Looks like practically the same laptop spec wise. The X3+ anyway.

 

Well, it was nice being top dog for a month.

 

It's happened to me too...It's small but once you notice it, you can't un-notice it. Went the MS Store route as well, but waiting again (especially after I initially got one through the Razer store and 2 months late) just feels kinda stupid. I was also really disappointed with the battery life, it would barely last 3.5 hrs while hardly doing anything on it, and that was after tweaking specs.

 

I did a quick search but couldn't find anything on this.

Is it posssible to switch the Fn and Ctrl keys on the left hand side?

 

I've still yet to see a laptop this portable with 870m. What competition are you talking about?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

The biggest thing seems to be the big vents, if the x3 has a better cooling system then yeah....


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I guess I just haven't had any issues with cooling, even running modern games. It gets hot, but within thermal limits. Keyboard stays cool. More vents/fans do not automatically equal better cooling, though Asus engineers are pretty good. A real upgrade would be liquid cooling.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

I love it, looks very nice and it looks like you might be able to upgrade the RAM and storage.
I will be keeping an eye on it for sure.

 

I dig the 1080p display on the x3. Problem is every gigabyte machine I've used (including the p34g most recently) have had loud fans at idle, and coil whine. I'm also sure build quality on the RB will be vastly superior.

 

How many have you used? Are you sure it's not a lemon? I looked at some reviews of the x7; some of them say it runs loudly, while others marvel at how quiet and cool it is. I'm not sure what to make of the ambivalent commentary.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

Sound preferences always depends on a users history. Coming from a massive MSI, the Razer Blade sounds super quiet

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

I think there's a lot of truth in this. With that said, I have very picky ears. I've owned 1 P34g and used a buddy's P34g--both were the same. Faint coil whine and some obnoxious fan noise as soon as you do anything on it (including working in Word, or opening chrome). I bought an Aorus X7 and returned it. The machine had coil whine, but was otherwise silent at idle in stealth mode, until some light office work would spin the fans up occasionally. Not a deal breaker, but it was poorly built (in my opinion) and the Elan trackpad was enough for me to return it immediately.


Notebookcheck does a pretty good job of indicating whether a certain machine will be tolerable to me or not. If idle sound emissions exceed 31db, or they mention that the fans cycle (which drives me nuts), I know to stay away. As long as fan noise at load doesn't exceed 50db, I'm okay with it. The Razer blade (2013) and Macbook retina both score very highly on noise emissions (less than 30 db) and I love both of those machines. I would have purchased the 2014 Blade had the high density display worked in my usage scenario (docking my laptop several times a day to 4 external monitors). As it stands, I currently have a Blade Pro, and while the idle fan noise is pushing my level of tolerance (it's slightly noiser than a 2013 Blade 14"), every other box is being checked (though I would love an 870m), and the switchblade UI is much more functional than I expected it to be.

Build quality is something else that tends to be subject to a users history. I've used Macbook Pros for several years and have come to expect decent build quality, materials, and fit / finish. I expect no coil whine, and the fan to not be intrusive in ordinary tasks in a silent room (think library). I know I have picky ears and expectations, but I pay close attention to other members on the forums who have expectations I believe to be similar to mine. For example, I know hfm has a Macbook and Samsung Series 7 Gamer, and he expects a lot from his Blade '14 in terms of build quality and trackpad performance. User John566 has used the Sager W230ss/st (a machine I previously owned) and if he thought the Sager had tolerable fan noises (which I agree with) but he couldn't stand the MSI GS60 fan profile, I have a pretty good idea that I wouldn't tolerate the fan noise very well either. I think if you're worried, look around at specific members and see if you can find one that mimics your own experiences and see what he/she feels about specific hardware. This is, in my opinion, the greatest advantage to notebookreview versus other forums / review sites.

 

dB is not the only indication of a sound's quality. Pitch is very important. I can tolerate a low pitched hum even at a much higher dB than a high pitch at a much lower dB.

 

Yes, I can't thank this post enough. Very good point.

 

I knew the Blade would have great build quality, and frankly the trackpad was way better than I expected, as close to my MacBook pro as any Windows trackpad has ever been for me. I wish it was quieter under load though. It's quite a bit louder than my gamer 7. The gamer 7i can hardly hear under gaming load, the Blade is rather annoying. Doesn't really affect me due to headphones but it annoys my wife, which affects me I guess.

Whatever I'll take it, I love the build quality, display, performance, appearance, size, and weight.

 

The problem is that thinner laptops have to use thinner fans which means higher pitch. That's just the downfall of the form factor unfortunately, unless you make the fan very large.

 

I just ran Windows Update and there's an Intel graphics adapter optional driver update, and the hilarious USB -> LAN driver is still hanging out. I guess that chip exists but they didn't actually supply the port and wire it up.

 

I haven't seen that. Is it possible you've plugged in a USB ethernet adapter?

 

Nope.. I have nothing plugged in except a Logitech unifying receiver for the anywhere mouse mx I use every once in a while.

EDIT: My guess it it's using that chip for the USB 3.0 ports. It's probably just a feature of the USB solution just not hooked up to anything.. Perhaps people have installed that updated driver without thinking about it already.

 

Does Razer supply Win 8.1 media or some way to reinstall the OS if you need to? I'm on the verge of ordering one of these little beasts.

 

Nope, but there's a built-in tool to copy the recovery partition to a USB drive that works well

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

Is that a Windows 8 built in tool (like its backup system) or is it a Razer program, just wondering.

 

I believe it's a W8 built - in tool, but it just copies the recovery partition - it doesn't base it upon your install

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

cool man thanks for that info. Can anyone explain how to actually do this? Thanks.

 

I do not claim to be an expert, but I had no luck using any of the built in Windows image features. I guess I could just never make it do exactly what I wanted. Same thing goes for Win 7 tools which are about the same I believe.

I used a freeware tool (can't think of the name of it but there are many available) to just copy the entire system image to a USB drive, all partitions included. Then I replaced my SSD and did a restore, and then resized the main partition that changed in size. It worked great and if I ever have any problems like a complete drive failure I can just use that original image to get up and going really quick.

 

was that you who gave them 2-star review @ Microsoft Store ? ))))

 

Mine has similar blemishes at the tip of the two top snake tongues. I also have a speck of dust between thee screen and glass. Not impressed in respect to build quality, but as I live in Canada a return to Razer is a nightmare. I'm out $411 in duty and taxes and it's a crap shoot to get this back, not to mention a replacement would be taxed again going across the border.