Razer is keeping its signature aesthetic with the Blade’s slim all-metal chassis that exudes quality, though it is slightly thicker than some slimmer laptops. The 16-inch display carries thin bezels and is complemented by one of the best touchpads found on any laptop. Razer also includes a slimmer 330W power brick with RTX 4080 and RTX 4090 configurations, which is a welcome addition.
That display is one of the highlights of the new Blade. Buyers can choose between a full HD+ (2560 x 1600) 240Hz OLED panel with G-Sync or a more expensive dual-mode mini-LED panel that switches between 4K at 120Hz and full HD+ at 240Hz. Both options are fantastic for gaming.
It’s often said that Razer is the Apple of the PC world: it makes solid and stylish products with a price tag to match. The latest Blade 16 is a prime example – a gorgeous, powerful gaming machine that starts at $2,699 and can be configured to over $4,000.
Under the hood, the Blade 16 comes with a 24-core Intel Core i9-14900HX and RTX 4070 as standard. The GPU can be upgraded to an RTX 4080 or 4090, though the RTX 4080 is probably as high as you should go given the flagship GPU’s limitations in a tight chassis. This machine can generally tear through all but the most demanding of games – it’s simply not not a miracle-maker for 4K gaming at max settings when managing significant heat output.
The laptop’s cooling system effectively manages heat during intensive tasks. However, under heavy loads, the fans can become noticeably loud, which might be distracting in quieter environments. And like all hardcore gaming laptops, battery life is not its strong suit.
Ports include one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, one USB4 with Thunderbolt 4 support, an HDMI 2.1 port, an SD card reader, and an audio jack. While the 2024 Razer Blade 16 excels in delivering top-tier performance and boasts a stunning display within a refined design, the price remains one of the few drawbacks.
All out power
Alienware m18 R2
If power is your number one priority and you’re looking for a massive machine that is essentially a gaming desktop replacement, then Dell’s Alienware m18 R2 is an excellent option. This utter beast of a laptop offers blistering gaming performance combined with a QHD+ (1600p) 165Hz display, with an FHD+ 480Hz option for those who demand ultra-fast response times.
Like the Razer Blade 16, the Alienware R2 packs an Intel Core i9-14900HX with GPU options reaching the RTX 4090, though it starts at a cheaper $1,899. The RGB-lit alien head logo and a light ring at the rear add to the futuristic look, and you can even add a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard to complete the desktop replacement theme.
The Alienware R2 can be configured with up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and 8TB of storage. Thankfully, the cooling system manages things well, keeping everything cool when gaming, though the fans can get loud under heavy load in this laptop, too.
Port selection is huge, including three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port. The screen could be brighter, it’s heavy, and the audio is underwhelming, but this powerhouse of a machine will take all you can throw at it.
More worthy alternatives
Razer also offers its own 18-inch monster. The largest version of the Razer Blade is another excellent choice. It features a slick chassis and 300Hz 2560 x 1600 mini-LED or 200Hz 4K IPS display options. Inside there’s an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and up to an RTX 4090 GPU, and 32GB RAM as standard. It also has Thunderbolt 5 support, Wi-Fi 7, and a slew of other features that make this a perfect combination of beauty, power, and functionality. Shame about the $3,099 starting price.
If you’re looking for something slightly less powerful, not as large, and cheaper, check out the Asus ROG Strix G16. The Strix 16 has a QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate. The Core i9 14900HX can be paired with a GeForce RTX 4060, RTX 4070, or RTX 4080 Laptop GPU.
You also get user-replaceable RAM and storage and plenty of ports. And while some love the cyberpunky, flashy stylings, they can be polarizing. One of the most appealing elements is the price: starting at $1,379.
Finally, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is a beautiful, well-made, light, and slim gaming laptop that stands out for its looks alone. But the 115W TDP in the RTX 4090 model is insufficient, so it’s best configured with cards further down the Nvidia hierarchy. It also features an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor for improved efficiency. The ROG Zephyrus G16 starts at $2,399.
