Introduction
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is a gaming laptop that has set a high benchmark for performance, design, and portability. Released in 2018, this laptop continues to be a solid choice for gamers and professionals alike due to its robust hardware, sleek aesthetics, and impressive display. In this detailed review, we will explore the specifications, features, and overall performance of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 to help you decide whether it still holds up in today’s competitive market.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout aspects of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is its premium design. The laptop boasts an aluminum unibody chassis that gives it a sleek, durable, and professional look. The black matte finish with the iconic Razer logo on the lid adds a signature touch that makes it instantly recognizable among gaming laptops.
Despite being a gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is relatively thin and lightweight, measuring 0.66 inches in thickness and weighing around 4.56 pounds (2.07 kg). This makes it one of the more portable gaming laptops in its category.
Display
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display that offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals. It has a 144Hz refresh rate, making gameplay smooth and reducing motion blur. The narrow bezels enhance the immersive gaming experience, allowing for more screen space without increasing the laptop’s overall size.
For users who prefer higher resolution, Razer also offered a 4K touch display variant, which is perfect for creative professionals working with graphics, video editing, or content creation.
Performance and Hardware
Processor
Under the hood, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is powered by the Intel Core i7-8750H processor. This 6-core, 12-thread CPU has a base clock speed of 2.2 GHz and can boost up to 4.1 GHz with Intel’s Turbo Boost technology. It delivers solid multi-threaded performance, making it great not just for gaming but also for multitasking and heavy workloads.
Graphics
For gaming and graphics-intensive tasks, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 comes equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q (8GB GDDR5 VRAM). The Max-Q variant is designed to offer high-end performance while maintaining power efficiency and thermal management. It supports modern AAA games at high settings with stable frame rates, making it a fantastic choice for gamers.
RAM and Storage
The laptop features 16GB DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), ensuring smooth multitasking and performance across various applications. In terms of storage, it comes with a 512GB PCIe SSD, offering fast boot times and data transfer speeds. Users can upgrade the storage via an additional M.2 SSD slot if needed.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The Chroma RGB backlit keyboard is another highlight of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2. The keyboard offers customizable per-key lighting, allowing users to create personalized lighting effects. The keys provide a satisfying tactile response, making it suitable for both gaming and typing.
The glass precision trackpad is large and responsive, supporting Windows Precision drivers for smooth multi-touch gestures and navigation.
Connectivity and Ports
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 offers a decent selection of ports, including:
- 3 x USB 3.1 Type-A ports
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port
- 1 x HDMI 2.0 port
- 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Gigabit Ethernet port
This selection of ports ensures that users can connect external peripherals, monitors, and other devices without any issues.
Battery Life
Battery life is often a challenge for gaming laptops, and the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is no exception. It features a built-in 80Wh battery, which can last around 5-6 hours under normal usage (web browsing, media consumption, and office work). However, when gaming, the battery life drops significantly to around 1-2 hours, depending on the game’s intensity.
Cooling and Thermal Performance
Razer has incorporated a vapor chamber cooling system in the Blade 15 2018 H2, which helps manage heat efficiently. While the cooling system does a decent job, under extreme gaming sessions, the laptop tends to get noticeably warm, particularly around the keyboard and palm rest area. Users may need to use a cooling pad or an external keyboard for prolonged gaming sessions to avoid discomfort.
Audio and Speakers
The dual front-facing speakers on the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 provide clear and immersive sound quality. The audio is powered by Dolby Atmos technology, enhancing the gaming and multimedia experience. While the speakers are decent, for a more immersive gaming experience, external headphones or speakers are recommended.
Software and Features
The laptop runs on Windows 10 out of the box and comes with Razer Synapse 3 software, which allows users to customize RGB lighting, fan speeds, and macro settings. The software also provides performance tuning options, enabling users to optimize the laptop for gaming or power efficiency.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
✔ Premium and durable design ✔ Thin and lightweight for a gaming laptop ✔ 144Hz display with thin bezels ✔ Powerful performance with Intel i7-8750H and GTX 1070 Max-Q ✔ Upgradable RAM and storage ✔ Good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3 ✔ Customizable RGB keyboard
Cons:
❌ Battery life could be better for gaming ❌ Runs hot under heavy loads ❌ Expensive compared to some competitors ❌ No SD card slot
Is the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 Still Worth It in 2024?
Although the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 was a top-tier gaming laptop in its time, newer models with RTX series GPUs, higher refresh rate displays, and improved cooling systems have since been released. However, if you can find a well-maintained or discounted version of the 2018 H2 model, it still provides strong gaming and productivity performance at a lower price than current-gen models.
For gamers looking for a budget-friendly, high-performance laptop, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 remains a solid choice, especially if you don’t mind slightly outdated hardware. Upgrading the RAM and SSD can also extend its lifespan for several more years.
Conclusion
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is an excellent gaming laptop that still holds up well in 2024. With its sleek design, powerful specs, and impressive display, it remains a viable choice for gamers and professionals who need a portable yet powerful machine. While it has some drawbacks, such as battery life and heat management, it is still a premium laptop that offers solid performance and aesthetics.
If you can find it at a good price, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is definitely worth considering!
