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Razer Blade & Blade Pro Gaming Notebooks Refreshed

By Joy Hou - on 13 Mar 2014, 11:20am

Razer Blade & Blade Pro Gaming Notebooks Refreshed

Razer has announced that it has upgraded its gaming notebooks. The new 17-inch Razer Blade Pro sports the next-gen Maxwell architecture NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M GPU and new integrated Switchblade UI apps, while the latest 14-inch Razer Blade features the IGZO/IPS display panel, and next-gen NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M graphics.

Razer Blade Pro. (Image source: Razer.)

Razer Blade Pro

Running on the SBUI (Razer Switchblade UI), the 17-inch notebook provides you with a one-click access to program tools, macros, key binds, and other customizable functions, as well as full Internet capabilities independent of the main display. Features of the Razer SBUI include 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys, a cell phone-grade LCD display that doubles as a track pad, and associated proprietary software.

With programs supporting Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro, Maya, and GIMP, six new Razer SBUI programs will launch with the updated Razer Blade Pro, including a Windows 8 Charms app that simplifies interface access to Windows Desktop functions, and a Twitch app that unlocks the streaming service’s broadcasting and commenting features. Razer is also unveiling its first electronic dance music (EDM) initiative in the form of an app co-developed with EDM producer and performer Afrojack.

Powered by the next-gen Maxwell architecture NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M GPU, the gaming notebook incorporates GeForce ShadowPlay and GameStream for seamless gaming video capture and streaming utilities, and GeForce Battery Boost, which works in conjunction with NVIDIA Optimus technology to provide up to double the battery life while gaming. It now comes with 16GB of RAM, doubling-up on the previous iteration, a 4th gen Intel Core i7 processor, and a SSD solution.

In addition, Razer Blade Pro is fused with Dolby Digital Plus Home Theatre Edition, and topped-off with gaming-grade peripherals built right in, including a fully programmable anti-ghosting keyboard with adjustable backlighting and an ultra-sensitive track pad, along with Razer Synapse 2.0, allowing for ultimately customizable settings and configuration storage in the cloud.

Razer Blade

Now equipped with a 3,200 x 1,800 touchscreen display, the 14-inch laptop's IGZO/IPS (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide/In-Plane Switching) display panel technology produces 250% increase in contrast ratio over its predecessor, with high brightness LED backlighting optimized for outdoor use, wide viewing angles, and dramatically improved video propagation and response. The Razer Blade’s display minimizes color shift while maximizing uniformity.

Blending retina-tearing clarity with functionality, the the Razer Blade offers a 10-point capacitive multi-touch screen that works with the new touch interface in Windows 8. It boasts frame rates that are up to 70% better than the previous iteration, with the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M GPU. Employing a 4th gen Intel Core i7 processor and utilizing SSD technology, it comes enveloped in a rugged all-aluminum chassis, and features a custom-designed track pad and backlit gaming- grade keyboard that has full anti-ghosting capabilities and programmable keys powered by the revolutionary Synapse 2.0 software.

Additionally, it comes loaded with 8GB of 1,600 MHz DDR3L memory, with 128GB of total solid-state storage with options for either a 256GB or 512GB SSD, and the Dolby Home Theatre v4. It delivers up to six hours of battery life and stocked with 802.11ac wireless connectivity.

  Price Availability
Razer Blade Pro  US$2,299 / S$3,399 Pre-order now at Razerzone.com (ships late Mar 2014)
Razer Blade  US$2,199 / S$3,199 Pre-order now at Razerzone.com (ships early Apr 2014)

 

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