December 20, 2023 11 min to read

The Razer Blade 16 (2023) Review

Original video published on Feb 14, 2023

Say Hello to the Razer Blade 16

The Razer Blade 16, newly released for 2023, is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of gaming laptops. Equipped with Intel’s latest 13th-gen Raptor Lake CPU and Nvidia’s new 40 series GPU, this laptop is poised to redefine expectations in the 16-inch gaming laptop market. Initially previewed at CES, we now have the opportunity to put the Razer Blade 16 through its paces in our studio. Razer has incorporated significant user feedback from the previous Blade 15 iteration, resulting in a machine that’s not just more powerful but also packed with innovative features. However, this cutting-edge technology comes at a price, with the base model starting at $2,700 and a higher-end model at an eye-watering $4,300.

Design & Build Quality

Externally, the Razer Blade 16 maintains its signature aesthetic with a matte black anodized aluminum chassis and a LED-backlit green Razer logo.

Despite its susceptibility to fingerprints, the build quality remains uncompromised, feeling robust and premium.The hinge mechanism has been improved for better smoothness and rigidity, and the laptop can be opened with one hand.

The Blade 16 has grown slightly in dimensions to accommodate its larger display, resulting in a 30% increase in thickness and a corresponding weight gain. Razer has revamped its cooling system to manage the additional power required by the new CPU and GPU, a change we’ll explore in terms of performance and heat management.

The 330-watt GaN power adapter is notably compact, though the braided cable can be cumbersome, and the power connector’s design could be more user-friendly.

Keyboard & ALL the RGB!

The interior of the Blade 16 is largely unchanged from the Blade 15, featuring large keycaps and a sleek, minimal design. While the keyboard is effective for general use, it may not satisfy users who prefer more key travel. However, the Chroma lighting on this laptop is exceptional, offering a range of customizable effects without color bleed.

Trackpad & I/O Ports

The large, precision glass trackpad ensures a smooth experience with Windows gestures.

The port setup includes power input, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a Type-C port with PD charging support, an audio jack, HDMI 2.1, another Type-A port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, and a full-size SD card reader. This array of ports, especially the fast SD card reader, will be particularly appreciated by creators.

Webcam & Speakers

The Blade 16’s webcam, with its 1080p sensor, offers improved quality for video calls and gaming, complemented by a microphone that delivers clearer audio. An added physical shutter provides privacy when needed.

The audio experience is enhanced with two front-facing speakers and additional subwoofers, providing a balanced audio profile suitable for music and gaming.

A STUNNING Screen!

The Razer Blade 16 boasts a stunning 16-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a welcome upgrade for content creators and gamers alike.

Its QHD 240Hz display is a harmonious blend of resolution, speed, and color accuracy, covering 100% sRGB, 89% Adobe RGB, and 100% P3 color spaces. This makes it an ideal choice for creative professionals. Gamers, too, will appreciate the fluidity and clarity during gameplay.

The display’s dynamic switching capability between 120 to 240Hz, and 60 to 120Hz, enhances battery life without compromising the user experience.

With a peak brightness of around 500 nits, the Blade 16’s screen is comfortably visible even in outdoor conditions.

Upgrade Options

Under the hood, the Blade 16 offers easy access to two RAM modules, supporting up to 64GB. The primary NVMe SSD, hidden underneath a bracket, delivers speedy performance comparable to last year’s model.

There is also room for storage expansion with an additional M.2 drive, though the design limits it to single-sided drives.

Battery Life

Equipped with a 95.2 watt-hour battery, expectations for the Blade 16’s battery life might be high.

However, due to the high-performance components and the fast refresh rate display, the actual battery life falls short of these expectations. While adequate for light tasks and video playback, the Blade 16’s battery life isn’t groundbreaking, especially under heavy load.

Synapse Power Modes

One critique of previous Razer Blade models was their conservative approach to CPU and GPU power, limiting the performance potential.

The Blade 16 breaks this mold with an updated cooling system that allows for more flexibility in power allocation and performance.

Users can choose between different power modes, including silent, balanced, and several custom modes, offering a range of CPU and GPU power settings.

CPU & GPU Power, Frequencies & Temperatures

Testing the Blade 16 in various power modes reveals impressive performance, with the CPU reaching over 100 watts in boost mode and maintaining reasonable temperatures.

Similarly, the GPU operates consistently at 155 watts, again with impressive thermal management. Remarkably, the Blade 16 manages to keep noise levels low, even in high power modes, making it one of the quieter gaming laptops on the market. This level of performance and noise control is particularly noteworthy, considering the Blade 16’s slim form factor.

Real-World Benchmarks

In real-world benchmark tests, the Razer Blade 16 showcases its prowess. Using Cinebench as a benchmark, the Blade 16 in balanced and boost modes delivers remarkable results. In balanced mode, the 13950 HX CPU, limited to 51 Watts, competes with or surpasses some of last year’s top laptops running at higher wattages. This demonstrates the efficiency and power of the Raptor Lake CPU even at lower TDP settings. In boost mode, the Blade 16’s performance rivals the latest GT77 Titan and surpasses 2022’s models.

Single-core performance, not being power-limited, allows the Blade to match the MSI in turbo speeds. In other CPU-focused applications, the Blade 16 either matches or comes close to the performance of the Titan in boost mode, while balanced mode aligns with 2022’s top performers. Even in prolonged tests, the Blade 16’s cooling design ensures sustained high performance across various modes, offering users the flexibility to choose the most suitable setting for their activities.

Adobe Photoshop results, although slightly inconsistent, seem more related to software limitations than hardware constraints. In Adobe Premiere Pro, while the performance is impressive, there’s potential for even greater output, given the hardware capabilities of these new laptops. However, in DaVinci Resolve, the Blade 16 outperforms last year’s models significantly, leveraging Nvidia’s dual NVENC engines for rapid export times.

Gaming Results

In gaming tests across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, the Blade 16 was tested in boost and balanced modes. The results reveal that the Blade 16 is capable of delivering excellent gaming performance at various resolutions, with the GPU set to its highest setting in Synapse.

Summary

The Razer Blade 16 emerges as an impressive contender in the gaming laptop market. It matches up to 90% of the performance of the MSI GT77 Titan, yet offers more portability, quieter operation, and better cooling. The 16-inch display is both fast and color accurate, making it ideal for both gaming and creative work. While its price point is steep, the Blade 16 justifies its cost with superior performance and build quality. Compared to the similarly priced Blade 15, the Blade 16 offers significant improvements in almost every aspect.

In conclusion, the Razer Blade 16 stands out as a top choice for those seeking one of the fastest laptops in 2023. Its improvements and overall performance make it a noteworthy option, even amidst forthcoming models from other renowned brands like Rog, Acer, Dell, and Legion.

Thank you for following this review. Share your thoughts on the Razer Blade 16 in the comments, and whether it tops your list for 2023’s gaming laptops. Stay tuned for more reviews on upcoming models from other leading brands!