The RAZER Blade 15 (2018) 4K (UHD)

Synclide
Hi, I'm just wanting to know if you ended up changing your mind regarding the 4k version, are you still waiting for it to be released in the UK or have you got another laptop now? I am also seriously considering cancelling my pre-order for it on amazon UK as razer just keep failing to meet release promises, 1st week of august is now up and there no sign of change. Thank you.

My 2018 Razer Blade 4K arrived Fromm Amazon.ca this past Friday. One word: "Wow". First off, I have to say that I am VERY picky and OCD when it comes to build quality issues. I've owned two 14" Razer Blades (860m and 960m) that I've kept with minor build quality issues (dead pixels, and detaching lid insignia). I've also returned two 4K 2017 Razer Blade Pro's and one 2017 14" Razer Blades in the past year due to build quality issues. As far as I can tell, this is the first completely defect free Razer laptop I have owned. Before purchasing this Razer Blade, I purchased and returned 2 2018 1070 Max-Q Gigabyte Aeros because of screen issues (severe backlight bleed, keyboard backlighting unevenness and what appeared to be a hair laminated under one of the screens.)

Pros:
- The 4K touchscreen is vibrant, detailed, colour accurate and defect free (as far as I've noticed so far.) Touch input is accurate. Absolutely no backlight bleed (yay!) Screen is definitely brighter and sharper than the 1080p 144hz model (same LCD is used on both the 1080p 2018 Gigabyte Aero and 1080p 2018 Razer Blade by the way.)
- I had some issues at first with battery life (2~2.5 hours). Unit ran hot and fans would spin up under light load. I upgraded to the most recent build of Windows 10 April Update (1803) and battery life has improved drastically to around 7~8 hours, laptop is running cool as I write this review, and fans are turned off unless under gaming load. Fabulous!
- Everything seems to be running fine. Wifi is rock solid. Speakers are working good (had an issue when I first put headphones in the jack where there was no sound from the headphones, and when I removed the headphones there was no sound from the speakers, but this seems to have self corrected and switches over with no issues again so far.)
Cons:
- Trying to type without hitting the trackpad, as it causes the cursor to jump around, is difficult (palm rejection isn't so great.) I just have to make sure I maintain a proper hand posture while typing (my highschool keyboarding teacher would be proud!)
- The black finish is a real skin oil stain magnet (purely cosmetic and can be easily wh removed.) I actually think it's worse than earlier Razer laptops.

Final Thoughts:
- I had an issue where the battery wouldn't charge with the computer turned off. After uninstalling and reinstalling the battery management driver, it is charging while turned off (A quick google search identified the solution.)
- This is a great hybrid gaming and office computer. If you can afford the premium, it's definitly worth the price.

Fuelhandler
Alert! 4K 2018 Blade 15 just popped up as available on the Razer.com website.

Where? Still shows "available in july" , unless there's some caching issue

Now I see it - nevermind!

https://www.razer.com/comparisons/blade-15 still shows the July date so I suspect they just put the page up to stop bitching

So I'll agree with that sentiment as well. I was REALLY holding out for the 4K, touchscreen Blade 15, because I'm a resolution junkie (I'll admit I do not really care about touchscreen on a standard, clamshell laptop). And then I stopped by the Microsoft store one day, checked out the FHD, 144 Hz display, and they had them in-stock, and I walked out with one. And now that I've been using my FHD Blade 15 for over a week (two, if you include the first one I had some issues with...namely one stuck pixel), I'm completely satisfied with the FHD display. I have a gigantic, LG 43UD79-B sitting on my desk right beside my Blade 15 (hooked up to my Corsair One with 1080Ti in it). It's 60 Hz, and while it's an awesome display, I have to admit, the 144 Hz display is buttery smooth. I always thought high refresh rate displays were only useful for competitive FPS gaming, but even in day to day life, I love this display. And as I'm getting older (50), I find that FHD works for me on a 15.6" display just fine, and I really don't need to worry about 4K, and any Windows 10 scaling issues.

The extra sharpness of 4K would be nice in some circumstances, but I'm not into content editing or photography, and I do like to play games in maxed out detail when travelling for work (my Blade 15 is my primary machine for work and play). If I really need 4K, I have the monitor right beside it, hooked up to a faster machine anyway. And on the road, FHD is perfect for me (wouldn't go any less, and about the most I would ever want is QHD+, but at 144Hz or better as well).

Maybe my next machine might be a QHD+ 165 Hz laptop display if they make one.....but so far, this one is awesome.

As a confirmed resolution junkie, unless you really need the 4K display for something you're doing, I'd say skip the waiting period, and go with the FHD 144 Hz option. It's a fantastic display.



Patrick

Joikansai
That’s similar thing happen like last year, I ended up buying FHD and 4K external Monitor. 4K Blade 15 sales will be bad if they release it later, maybe nvidia by the time will announce next gen GPU, and poeple will hold buying Pascal laptops for this.

So, do you think it's worth waiting for the 4k model to arrive? (also, thanks to everyone who has commented on this thread; you've all been great help!)

PeachPuffpulsefocus099
Vapor(chamber)ware, I tell ya

I do enjoy a good pun. :)
Razer always seems to have issues with their touch screen variant of the Blades, and I’m not sure why. Last year’s touch screen model was launched several months after the HD variant as well. At this point you’d think their supply chain issues would be hammered out for the touch screen supply.

HD variants are back in stock at the Microsoft Store, and Razer.com, so the only bottleneck that can be attributed to the delay is the display itself for the touchscreen.

Actually all versions of the HD Blade are in stock and available from Razer.com, so the “unavailability” excuse doesn’t seem to hold weight.

I just got an update email from amazon.ca. My Razer Blade 2018 4K shipping date has been changed to sometime between August 13 to 28.

PeachPuffpulsefocus099
People said that when the date showed June as well. Bad supply chain management is bad.

Look, the Blade 15 has a major component manufactured in Japan. The flooding in Japan has caused no Blade 15's to be produced, which means a huge backorder of 15's. Either way, bitching on the forums won't make it appear in your country any faster. It's still out of stock here in the US. Everyone can't get one, even the people returning faulty ones for a new one. My best guess? 3rd week of August while backorders in the US are fulfilled, and RMA's are sent out. Happy you know, now?

I know, right? I’ve had my Razer Blade 4K 2018 on pre-order from Amazon.ca for over a month. My delivery date was supposed to be between July 17-23, but hasn’t even shipped yet. :S