Review of the 2015 Razer Blade QHD+

No, I performed the free Firestrike test. I never mentioned extreme.

 

BTW is the SSD that comes with the 2015 Razer Blade user-replaceable? i.e. does it comes in an M2 slot? If so, might be cheaper to get the 128Gb model and buy a larger M2 SSD elsewhere!

 

So, kind of a noob question, but, how does it affect to render a game at 1080p and upscale it to 3k? What are the counterparts of that? Is it worth then buying instead the 1080p version as in the future, we will not be able to run games at 3k anyways? Cheers!

 

The 1080p screen won't be able to display a higher resolution than 1080p, though it wouldn't affect the ability to output to an external 3K/4K screen (though the GPU might struggle or run out of VRAM, which is only 3GB on all models). Also HDMI is not the best connection to a 4K screen, miniDispay port would've been better.

You can probably run some games at 3K, especially if not on Ultra settings, you're more likely to be able to run everything on Ultra at 1080p

I've not seen any reviews on how good the 1080p panel is, though. The 3K panel is meant to be very good, hope the 1080p panel is too. It's also matte, which is nice, though not touch screen. The 1080p version is also a little lighter.

 

The only real option is to buy a transcend 512GB. Find it on amazon for around $230

 

Which one? They come in 3 different dimensions:
2280:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-SATA3-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B00KLTPVV8/
MSA370:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-MSA370-512GB-Storage-Device/dp/B00K64I0CU/
2260:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-SATA3-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B00KLTPWJE/

 

I understand your first statement. But my question is, what are the downfalls of playing in a 3k/4k monitor at 1080p?

Edit - My issue is that more sooner or later, we will have to render at 1080p in demanding games on those 3k/4k screens.

 

Indeed! Down-scaling games to 1080p should in theory work much better than upscaling (such as viewing a 720p video full screen on a 1080p screen), but I've heard that it doesn't always work as well as you think it should. Clarity is nearly always better at native resolution, though it scaling down is probably not that bad.
The other issue with 3K/4K screens is that when in Windows 8, not all applications handle scaling well, though this is getting a bit better

 

The Razer has type 2280.
22mm x 80mm

 

So I spoke to someone at HIDEvolution today about an SSD and their policy regarding replacing it. It seems like it might be a case by case basis? He said it's sort a grey area and "I'm not going to say it will void your warranty by changing out the components, but at the same time there are no tamper evident seals on the blade". He also mentioned that I could probably change out the SSD, but if needed to change it back to the original if it will require warranty. And I think it's safe to say that this is assuming you don't screw anything up while replacing it.

So I think I might go for the 128gb, and buy a 512gb and replace it. All going to have to wait though, until the CAD can pick itself up from shambles. Let me know if anyone decides to go through with the SSD upgrade though - super interested in seeing this done with photos if possible.

 

even i am thinking to do the same... go with 128 gb version and upgrade to 512gb my self with super extra care

 

Thanks!

 

Could always be worth paying a small amount to a reputable computer upgrades/repair shop to do this if you're hesitant about damaging it.

 

So on an unrelated note - I got a call from Fedex this morning.

**WARNING to all Dumb Canadians (myself included)**

I've bought things from US before but never was the duty this high. It was $355.39 for the 256gb QHD model. Funny thing is, it was shipped from Ontario, but as it is Fedex, goes to Memphis like all packages then back. Razer says they have no control, but other companies provide the full shipping in their costs (out of country purchases) . They just reflect that duty in their price.

I would of paid $100, probably even $150 but that was too much for me. I'll wait until mid February and see if I can get it locally from the Microsoft store.

Cheers.

 

I am going to put together a post about my experience swapping out the blade m.2 drive. As well as backing up the partitions with Acronis TI 2015 and recovering them. Along with benchmarks comparing the Samsung 512GB that comes with the Blade vs the Transcend 512GB. I'm about half way done, expect it sometime this weekend when I get a block of time to finish it.

There was quite a bit of annoying junk I had to go through that I think others might find helpful.

 

This would be amazing! Thanks in advance, looking forward to this. Hopefully with your guide or post, I can buy the 128 and replace the SSD with confidence.

Also thanks Angelwing for the information, I would have run into the same thing! Definitely going to wait until it comes to the Microsoft store now... 350 over top of an already expensive laptop is just too much for myself..

 

I created a new thread for it. It's ridiculously TL;DR.. but useful.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...14-hd-backups-m-2-perf-comparison-etc.771316/

 

Great info. This is exactly what we needed. I may never upgrade, but if I want to, there is a great guide forming!

Also updated my review with the CrystalMark results!

 

The package is shipped from the city of Ontario in California. I also ordered it and got it shipped with FedEx ground (bad idea!), thankfully I self-brokered it and only paid the duty which is $300 CAD for the 256GB QHD+ model.

Looks like FedEx charged you $50+tax for the brokerage fee. Why would you assume that you would pay only $100-$150 in duty for a laptop that costs $2,900 CAD?

 

nice review!

by the way:

page-up = fn + up
page-down = fn + down
home = fn + left
end = fn + right

 

Thank you, and yes @hfm was kind enough to let me know about the function and arrow key options. Thank you also!

 

Hey - does anyone know when this will be available in Microsoft Stores / the Microsoft Store Website? A lot of the initial announcements from a few weeks ago said it was available then, with others saying February 16, and still nothing as far as I can see.

 

Same here, I see nothing on the Microsoft Store as well.

 

Just ordered mine
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...ure-Edition-Gaming-Laptop/productID.313464800

It looks like they took the item down but i was able to use this link and order my laptop.

PS
if you want Microsoft complete coverage you need to place the item in your cart and then call customer service to add it to your order

 

guys can any one give a rough, hard disk space available with windows 8.1 up to date for 256 gb version

 

200-210gb

 

I just got my RB 2015, while idle the fan is making a semi high pitched noise in intervals every few seconds, is this normal or could there be something up with the fan?

 

I got mine last night. The fan noise is very low and constant at idle. Do you have anything running in the back ground? Maybe it's just spinning up to due to activities.

 

I also just got my RB 15 - idle is very quiet, when I have a background game running on minimize it sometimes spikes but not with nothing.

 

Yeah i have spotify, steam (no game running), chrome and a pdf. I'm not surprised the fan is running it just a little higher pitched than i anticipated. i didn't notice it the first day but now i do. But literally another sound drowns it out i just wanted to check to see if anyone else noticed it.

 

It's possible it's either not seated properly or it's coil whine.

What happens when you throw load at it? The difference between those problems and the fan actually spinning up should be rather obvious.

 

Yeah im not sure, maybe im just being hyper critical since i just got it. Under load the fan has a little higher pitch than i thought they would be.

I have the laptop on a laptop cooler (that's not on), its possible that there may be a little coil wine, this is my first gaming laptop so i wasn't to sure what to expect.


Update***

Here is a short video clip where you can hear the noise im talking about

The mic on my phone was right up to the u on the keyboard

 

It should be quiet as a mouse when you are just doing something light such as browsing the internet. I had to take mine apart and tighten all the fan retention screws as they were all loose from the factory. Caused buzzing at certain angles.

 

You realize that's Ontario, CA as in Ontario, California, not Ontario, Canada, right? Some Canadians don't realize that

Side note: The Razers from the Microsoft store are being drop shipped from Razer. Just confirmed.

 

Hey im dumb. The only reason i was hearing the sound was because the laptop cooler basically amplifying the sound. Take the laptop off the cooler and i don't hear a thing.

Thanks for answering my questions though, this thread helped my decision a lot to get the blade and i love it

 

Can we confirm that the Microsoft Flagship stores actually carry these models in the stores to take home same day, and not some special order process which will then be drop shipped to you or the store via Razer?

 

I bought mine in Microsoft Store on February 16th. They even had it on display. Before driving out that day I even got the guy working there to send me a picture of the box as I thought i'd show up and it be the 870m. of course you have to confirm stock.

Yeah Ontario, CA could be Ontario Canada too though! I stand by my stupidity. It has been a week and Razer is still processing the return of my shipment. Might get my refund in April!

 

Ahahahah, I did the same thing. I snagged a black widow ultimate classic edition during the Razer sale last month, was tracking the shipping from ON, CA and was upset that I got charged duty only to find out there's an Ontario in California XD

On a side note... I'm really unsure about whether I should buy the Razer Blade at this point . I honestly don't game anywhere but at my desk at home. I have $3,000 as a budget which I can either use on the Razer Blade... or a $1000 MBA and a $2000 PC. I mainly use my laptop to take notes and only play games on it when I'm home so I'm thinking as much as I want a Razer Blade my money would be better spent on a desktop + laptop combo. What do you guys think? I feel like the GTX970m wouldn't be able to run games at high or ultra in two years whereas a desktop with the GTX970 would probably last me four years at high/ultra (1080p)

 

I would say that if you don't have a gaming desktop already, and you don't plan on using the laptop for gaming on the go or for work purposes that require intensive graphics/CPU use like rendering, then just spend the $1500-$2000 on a desktop and get whatever laptop you fancy for the rest.

Just for a little perspective, I have a gaming desktop that was $1800 two years ago that still does very well, and used a crap Asus for notes during school (actually was still able to run SC2 in class haha), and now I need a new laptop to do renderings, and to show graphics card intensive programs to clients when at their house/office (gaming as a plus ). Thus, the Razer blade meets such requirements, while looking professional.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'm in med school so asides from occasionally playing video games/photoshop I don't do any graphics rendering stuff like the CS students probably do. How long would the GTX970m stay relevant? Do you think the 970m would still be able to play games at very high 30fps avg in 2017? I'm new to PC gaming so I don't know how well mobile GPUs stand up over the years and I'd ideally like my laptop to be able to play games for the next 3-4 years (1080p, 30 fps).

 

Gigabyte has the P34V3 a 14inch gaming ultrabook that has similar specs with the same GPU at a much lower price point with room for hard drive space expansion. However it doesn't look as nice as the RB, but it is a slim form factor. Runs around $1699.

 

Just to make your decision more interesting, as I was in a similar situation before buying my RB 15, you can look at it another way.

For me, I dont play graphically demanding games or rather it doesn't need to be on ultra, not sure about you (although at the moment the RB 15 is no slouch), and i'm confident that the RB 15 will play games in for 3 years at least on moderate settings [definitely 30 fps 1080p]. I came from a MBPro 2011 that I sold this year, and I loved it, however, once every so often, i'd wish I could quickly game a little and it just couldnt perform. For my occasional gaming I used my desktop from 2006 that i've upgraded over the years but I was at a point to need to invest atleast $800-1,500 there.

So for me, not caring about playing things on Ultra , having everything in the Laptop was the better option. I am now selling my desktop to a friend and getting rid of all that clutter in my office and just keeping my keyboard/mouse/screen to hook up to the laptop. A desktop is definitely a cheaper alternative but for me getting rid of my tower was a nice feeling. I might build a miniPC someday if I ever get into gaming more again.

 

so how are you guys finding downscaling so far? what res can you lower to for gaming and not notice a sharpness difference?

 

I'm at 1600x900. I don't notice for games, desktop is another story.

 

what's the next step up from that res without sharpness/quality loss w games? i'm so torn right now if i wanna go qhd+ or just fhd.

 

My desktop is at 1920x1080 and I can't tell any difference from native. The screen downscales incredibly well

 

I just tried 1920x1080. It looks great, but type is a tad smaller than I'd like, and I'd like to keep scaling at 100%.

 

thanks. and setting up games is no problem to downscale? i think i heard some games won't go fullscreen?

 

Some won't but you can just change the resolution before you go into the game and you'll be fine.

 

Why do you stay at 1600x900? To avoid scaling?