Razer 11" Mini Blade - any interest?

(Intel Broadwell Reference Design)

I've been thinking about the Razer lineup, and in particular the future of the Razer Edge and how Intel Broadwell will allow for gaming in a much smaller form factor. I wanted to ask the community, is there any interest in a new Razer Edge/Razer Mini Blade?

Gaming on the go would make my life, and I think many others, much more enjoyable. Many times while flying I wish I could have a computer that fits on a tray table comfortably and yet handle some good games at decent specs. For travel/general use, nothing beats a good 11.6" laptop (The Macbook Air 11 is testament to this). College students would appreciate the great mix of size and utility as well.

I think for now the specs would probably be something like the following:
CPU: Intel Broadwell i7
GPU: Nvidia GTX 960/970m
SSD: 64/128/256GB Samsung
Touchscreen

The possible configurations I've come up with are:

1. Razer Mini Blade laptop - 11.6" screen, basically a shrunken version of the Razer Blade 14"

2. Razer Edge refresh - 10.1" tablet, with docking station (better made than the previous style!)

3. Razer "Hybrid" (name TBD) - 11.6" hybrid tablet/laptop, the touchscreen tablet snaps out to enable on the go use (con: harder to cram all the above spec into just the tablet portion, thickness might be an issue such as on the original Edge)

I'm leaning to #1, wanted to see what everyone else thought.

I've included the Intel Broadwell reference design, Razer could come out with something really similar as option #2 or 3.

#razeredge #razerminiblade #newrazer

 

I would love an Edge refresh, that way I might be able to buy one!

 

I like all of these ideas, I'm just not sure which one I prefer. With idea 3 could that basically be an Edge (albeit a slightly larger one) with a more advanced 'laptop-like' keyboard dock? So a hinged dock or a Surface style keyboard/cover type thing (obviously much better quality keyboard than suface).

Of course as a Brit I can't get the current systems yet, so I'll take what I can get when it comes to these systems. Though I'd probably have to try and get one for work to justify the expense as a predominantly desktop gamer.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a new Edge, but when it comes to laptops I prefer my 17.3" Blade screen to the 14" version. Just personal preference.

 

I'm currently using a 11' chromebook. I personally think 11' would be too small for any gaming. I do like how light and how long the battery life is on it, so maybe that's a plus for having a small machine. I guess it all depends on the hardware. ULV i5 processor, 840m maybe? Portable gaming at x768 in a 11' form factor. Super light, could be used for school work, essays, with the 840m turned off and when you plug it in you get the extra horsepower to drive demanding apps? Just a thought

 

splashman, I think you nailed it - option #2 and #3 are basically different versions of the Razer Edge. Here is a similar concept to #3:



#newrazer #razerminiblade

 

Currently I have an MSI GT70 17.3" laptop and I just use a Nook HD+ as my tablet. However, other than simple apps on my tablet, I don't do much gaming on either. I have my main PC for that, which I also bring to LAN parties with me.

 

To be honest, I think 14" and 17" formats are great sizes, anything smaller, I can't really work on as effectively. I do slightly prefer larger screens for writing code, and long essays, the bigger screen estate means a lot less dragging and organising, and much more time actually designing and developing. What sort of things do you think a 11" version would be useful for?

 

Brandon,

Lots of things! Online gaming can be done quite well at 768p, as can offline games. In terms of doing coding, I completely agree with you that a larger screen is the way to go.

However, for college use, medium gaming, internet surfing, Skype, e-mail and all around usefulness an 11.6" hybrid or laptop is amazing. Look at the sales figures for the Macbook Air 11, or just walk around a college campus and you'll see dozens.

Basically, I believe the market is ripe for a second version of the Razer Edge, either in laptop or hybrid form. Like the original 17" Razer Blade, it needed refinement, and by looking at the poll responses it needed a much better keyboard dock, as most users (65%+) want something with either a built in keyboard or a snap on keyboard dock.

#newrazer #razerminiblade

 

Good points well made, I do know quite a few colleagues and friends who own MBA's. I just can't see Razer making a laptop variant, but a new iteration of the Edge is definitely a possibility! The CGI mockup in your original post is a beautiful representation, for me it would need to feel like a laptop rather than a tablet.

 

11"s are the best for university use. I study electronic and telecommunication and I don't even try to imagine my life without small laptop/hybrid. There are so many problems with programming on iOS and even more with gaming .I vote for #3

 

I'm wondering if I should have eliminated option #2 from the poll, I realized that a dual laptop/tablet hybrid pretty much satisfies anyone who wanted a Razer Edge (think of it as getting a free keyboard dock bundled in).

I guess the only difference would be a slightly bigger screen from 10.1" to 11.6", but that seems to address concerns about screen size and would probably be welcomed. Thoughts?

 

In a few years I would totally use an 11" Blade. Something that is small, light, and powerful enough to game on would be great.

 

I can totally see myself using the mini blade. It's a great idea and might be a little more affordable than the 14" for some people.

 

Two points that are interesting so far - I didn't even think of a cheaper price for a smaller 11" Razer Blade, but looking back at the Razer Edge prices, even with a keyboard dock, it makes sense.

For a similar configuration, I would imagine the split would be the same as it is now, with a $300-$400 USD difference in between the 11",14" and 17" Blades.

Secondly, even though the sample size is still relatively small, I hope someone at Razer has noticed the trend in the poll. I always thought the Razer Edge was a great product in need of a great keyboard dock, and it seems the numbers bear me out.

Nearly 80% of the respondents want something with a keyboard (either a full-fledged laptop or a laptop/tablet hybrid), whilst less than 5% would be interested in a plain Razer Edge tablet refresh.

I hope Razer didn't draw wrong conclusions from the Razer Edge, I'm not sure how successful it was but it addressed only a fraction of the market potential. Min-Liang, build this!

#newrazer #razerminiblade

 

I would love to see some 13 inch ultrabook style stuff with some power in it. To be honest 11 inch is too small and 13 is not that bigger but enough to work

 

Razer already has the 14", so I really don't see a massive market for a 13.3" laptop.

Also, it's 11.6", which is only about 2.4" less than the 14". The Razer Edge was only 10.1" and it was plenty big for gaming!

 

Could the new Leviathan possibly be a massive tongue in cheek reference to the smallest member of the Razer Blade family?

Crazy to think, but...

 

a gaming version of the surface designed by razer would be cool. since razer already has somewhat of a connection to Microsoft (seeing as how they display the blade in some Microsoft stores) i think it would be awesome and i would definitely buy it.

 

I think a mini-blade/new edge is a great idea! Just give it an HDMI port so you can plug it in to any larger screen if you need to.