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    New Razer Blade (2015)

    Discussion in 'Razer' started by .PoNeH, Feb 3, 2015.

  1. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    And fully functional USB ports.

    Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk
     
  2. altecxp

    altecxp Notebook Consultant

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    This is actually my ONLY complaint, that 1 USB port does not put out the proper power. I just put a small dot on it in red so I remember which it is and use that for my externally powered drives or the USB from my LCD.
     
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  3. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    I can't get my GoPro to sync photos in ANY of the ports of mine. This happens with all versions of the Razer Blade. It's crazy that Razer spent $450K to get the ports painted green, but missed on making them fully functional. For most peripherals they work fine such as mouse and keyboards. But some phones are hit or miss and my GoPro requires that I use an USB to Micro SD adapter which is absolutely ridiculous.

    Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk
     
  4. kmera

    kmera Notebook Enthusiast

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    I for one hope that the next razer blade has USB-C ports. And I dont care what color they will be :D
     
  5. ledzepp14

    ledzepp14 Notebook Evangelist

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    i wish they would make a different color.. like a gunmetal grey, since the current black is such a fingerprint magnet.
     
  6. altecxp

    altecxp Notebook Consultant

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    What if they made it reverse? All green with black logo? I'd have to turn down buying that one, even if it was only $999 for the same specs lol.
     
  7. ChrisAtsin

    ChrisAtsin Notebook Evangelist

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    Lol I don't think they're that crazy.
     
  8. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    Chroma Blade. :)
     
  9. Trigger10

    Trigger10 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So Razer will finally have some of the 1080p models available from their web site starting August 3rd. I am considering getting this machine instead of the QHD model and was wondering if anyone has any insight on it's performance (specifically heat and fan noise compared to the 3K model). After buying and returning pretty much every gaming laptop out there, I've finally settled on Razer as "the" one, just need to determine which model will be best. Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  10. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    The fan gets loud under heavy load. It does get warm under heavy load. You have to trade off to stuff a high wattage GPU and CPU into a thin and light. I don't mind it at all, but you have to choose what's important to you.

    Actually I missed you question, it shouldn't matter much between the QHD and FHD models if that's what you're considering. There's a potential for more heat if you want to attempt to run everything at QHD resolution, but realistically that isn't going to happen. I run all my games at 1600x900.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2015
  11. ledzepp14

    ledzepp14 Notebook Evangelist

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    have had my 1080p version for 4 months now. fan noise can be annoying sometimes, but it's expected with the design. it can def get hot also, but you're fine with it on your lap with non-gaming use. i also had the QHD version and didn't like the display quality. you can search for my previous thread with comparisons.
     
  12. Trigger10

    Trigger10 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Great, thanks for the responses guys, appreciate it. What about undervolting? Does that make a significant enough difference in heat and fan noise to be worth going through the process? And I'll definitely check out your comparison threads Led.
     
  13. refllect

    refllect Notebook Consultant

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    Is the RAM soldered on and non-upgradeable? (For the non-touch 1080p version)
     
  14. PsylentStorm

    PsylentStorm Notebook Consultant

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    I hear Avira is the best in terms of cost (free) and effectiveness. I would also suggest pairing it with MalwareBytes (although someone with more knowledge might be able to chime in).
     
  15. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    Yup. It's soldered on for all models.
     
  16. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Interesting-- Just benchmarked my new QHD razer blade vs my p34. (this is with turbo off on both machines, both machines set to throttle to x20 at 88C.


    P34:
    P8581
    CPU max: 88C
    GPU max: 81C

    Razer Blade

    P8647
    CPU max: 76C
    GPU max: 62C


    edit: been unable to get throttlestop to have any effect on the clocks. Ideas why?
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2015
  17. vinny3

    vinny3 Notebook Consultant

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    What thermal paste is used in each machine?
     
  18. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Blade is IC7, P34 is MX4.

    What's interesting is that compared to the P34, which gets pretty hot by the power button, the blade (despite the lower temps) gets near burning hot. It is seriously painful to put your finger there.
     
  19. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    That's because aluminum chassis.
     
  20. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, the metal chassis would basically act as a giant heatsink while plastic would keep the heat in.

    I wonder if you welded heatsink fins on the Blade chassis if you'd notice better performance? :p
     
  21. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    P34 is aluminum* too, though I think the keyboard itself might have a plastic frame which would explain that.

    Btw it's incredible not only how much cooler the blade runs at the same clocks but also how quiet it is. The p34's fans turn on immediately under load and they are louder at every stage. They do allow manual control, however. It's too bad that the blade doesn't, because I would rather the laptop get loud than hot.
     
  22. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    The P34 has a bottom cover of plastic though and it can't spread the heat as effectively as aluminium. Also the fan intake grills on the P34W, while I have not seen these in person are worrying small when I see review photos outlining the chassis.

    But having control over how the fan operates seems like such a simple and easy implementation that it's basically a must on any high end laptop these days. Even my Clevo has control over this (!).
     
  23. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Anyone notice the crackling from the plastic hinge cover? If I run my finger along it I can feel some warping/bubbling almost, and it makes a crackling noise. Also, adjusting the screen on occasion makes the noise as well.
     
  24. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, I had a blade 2014 which exhibited this issues as well. Didn't seem to cause any impediment to use but it is troubling on a notebook of this calibre.

    I have a feeling it's related to the heat exhaust at that location of the notebook where the extreme conditions placed upon it during high load causes the plastic to warp over time. My Blade was purchased 6 months used before I sold it soon afterwards so I can't say if this issue presents itself from the factory. I'm looking at buying a Razer Blade FHD (when Razer decides to stock them again in the Australian store) so I'll check to see if this issue is there as well.
     
  25. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah, it is right next to the exhaust which gets alarmingly hot. That was my guess as well-- heat could be warping the plastic or melting the adhesive.
     
  26. ledzepp14

    ledzepp14 Notebook Evangelist

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    yep.. we were just discussing this in a different thread. looks like a more widespread thing.
     
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  27. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Link? If it was fixable that would be great. I'm definitely pointing this out in my review regarding build quality
     
  28. ledzepp14

    ledzepp14 Notebook Evangelist

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  29. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    I put a matte screen protector over the glass face today. Much better looking and much better glare.
     
  30. aethelbert

    aethelbert Notebook Evangelist

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    How does it respond to touch gestures after having done that? I imagine Matte would slide better, like the Apple trackpads.

    I was concerned that the gloss would detract from use; I'm glad I bought the FHD Matte Blade instead of the QHD+ gloss.
     
  31. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Responds to touch just fine-- I find it's better tactile-wise, because as you said, matte slides better.
     
  32. newfiejudd

    newfiejudd Notebook Deity

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    Where did you get the matte screen protector. The glare is my only gripe with this little beast.
     
  33. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    I just went to the my local computer mall (pantip) and had a place do it custom. :) Perks of living in Bangkok.

    Side note, just finished my comparison of the P34 vs Blade. Took me about a month to write, will publish soon.
     
  34. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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  35. vinny3

    vinny3 Notebook Consultant

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    Eason likes this.
  36. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yup, the temps are very sustainable even at x26, rarely going about 80 during gaming.

    something I now feel like I should add is that it seems that the blade takes longer to reach idle temps after load. Again, I think this is because of the aluminium case. Unless the room is quite cool, the case remains quite warm (and thus core temps stay 60-70s).
     
  37. lesteph

    lesteph Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello There,

    Anyone used is RB in europe? any issues as the power is 110V in US and 220V in Europe. Thnaks for sharing you experiences
     
  38. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    You just need a simple plug adapter. The power supply works on 50-60Hz 110-240v
     
  39. jedolley

    jedolley Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm strongly considering picking up a Razer Blade, but am torn between the refurb 2014 Blade ($1450 +$200 store credit) or a 2015 FHD Blade ($2000).

    I briefly played around with a 2014 Blade last year and really liked it, but found the palmrest area got noticeably warm, but don't remember it was uncomfortably warm. Is that still the case with the 2015? Also, what other changes or aspects should I consider?

    I realize this has probably been asked before, and I apologize if that bothers anyone. I looked through several of the threads, but still didn't seem to find the comparison I was hoping for.
     
  40. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd get the latter.

    Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk
     
  41. vinny3

    vinny3 Notebook Consultant

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    I agree. The 970m alone more than justifies the extra $550.

    Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
     
  42. Zapp_2014

    Zapp_2014 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi. I'm trying to restore my blade to factory settings so I can sell it.

    I read that I should press F9 during boot. When I try I get the error message "system recovery failed. Please try again.(error3)"

    Has anyone had this before and do you have any advice?

    Thank you.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  43. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    Call Razer and ask them to send you a recovery USB flash drive
     
  44. Zapp_2014

    Zapp_2014 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'll give that a go, thanks. I'm in the UK, I wonder if that will be a problem.

    Would a restore be the same as manually reinstalling Windows and downloading the drivers?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  45. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    No.. the recovery actually puts all the partitions back including the original recovery partition etc.. You could probably clean install windows and remove all that cruft. Microsoft actually has a way you can create a USB drive to install Windows 10 fresh.
     
  46. Zapp_2014

    Zapp_2014 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah ok cool. I've emailed razed and they have asked for a few details before sending out the USB drive. Hopefully not too long to wait.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  47. Terran1212

    Terran1212 Notebook Consultant

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    I wanted to ask peopels honest opinions are the fans to loud to game without headphones? I really dont wanna don headphones for gaming -- it seems like you could just turn the sound on the game up?
     
  48. Eason

    Eason Notebook Virtuoso

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    The fans are not loud even without heaphones if you don't allow turbo. Just set max CPU to 99% and you'll rarely hear the fans rev up.
     
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  49. mindinversion

    mindinversion Notebook Evangelist

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    NVM, After having played with Prime and intel XTU, I have isolated a defective CPU/cooler. Guess it's back to the drawing board...
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2015
  50. hfm

    hfm Notebook Prophet

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    This is what I do as well. The only game that has gotten the fans going loudly lately is Wasteland 2. Even Elite and Witcher 3 stay pretty silent.
     
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