Razer Blade Stealth (13.3" QHD+, Early 2022) - Review 2022

It wasn't long ago that I reviewed the 13.3-inch Razer Blade Stealth, an splendid refreshed version of the not-gaming ultraportable that bumped upwards the screen size from previous versions. Now another update has arrived, with the changes coming on the within in the grade of an eighth-generation "Kaby Lake R" quad-core Intel processor. This new Bract Stealth ($1,499.99) and its two extra cores bring improved performance, specially on media tasks, and are worth the added $100 if you're deciding between the ii. New competition arrived on the field since the final review, all the same, and the Dell XPS 13 (9360) took the spot as our summit ultraportable. The Dell retains the Editors' Choice award since it's less expensive and slightly faster, simply the Stealth offers a college resolution display with touch for the extra toll, and both are excellent options.

Keep What Works

Since the upgrades to this model are internal, it looks identical to the last Blade Stealth I tested just a few months back. That's not an issue, though, as the pattern and build are a high bespeak for this PC. The aluminum build feels solid, looks sleek, and is imperceptibly heavier and thicker at ii.98 pounds (upwards from two.93) and 0.54 inches (up from 0.52). The screen is unchanged likewise, which should also be music to your ears. The aforementioned beautiful QHD+ (3,200-by-1,800) bear on display is included here, every bit is the customizable individually backlit keyboard. Port options aren't numerous, but the basics, including a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, are covered. One thing to note, though, is that the USB-C port as well serves every bit the connection for the charger, so you won't be able to use it and charge the laptop at the aforementioned time. For more details on the features, including a full rundown of the port offerings, cheque out the review of the late 2022 Blade Stealth with the seventh-generation Intel processor.

Every bit a indicate of comparison, the XPS xiii is cheaper, simply its brandish is only 1080p and lacks touch capability. The Lenovo Yoga 920 besides has a 1080p screen. That resolution should be acceptable in most cases, just the Stealth's brandish is sharper. As far as portability goes, they all fall within the aforementioned ballpark: The Yoga 920 is slightly heavier at iii.03 pounds, and the XPS 13 is the lightest at two.seven pounds.

The 256GB storage capacity is the aforementioned as well, though equally with most Razer laptops, you tin can cull different sizes online when ordering. Both the black and gunmetal versions are available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSDs. Adding more than storage gets pretty pricey since solid-state storage is even so relatively expensive, and then jumping upward to 512GB brings the price to $one,699, and the 1TB model is a much costlier $two,099. 256GB isn't a lot for big files like game installations or big media projects, but since the system isn't especially built for those tasks, information technology should be enough for general employ. The new Blade Stealth includes 16GB of memory, which is the same as the previous model.

More Cores, More Speed

Operation is where the new Bract Stealth should brand a case for itself, as the fresh processor is the star of the prove. Its Intel Core i7-8550U CPU has a 1.8GHz clock speed, simply don't let that relatively low number fool you, as its quad-core build is more efficient. This is demonstrated on multithreaded tasks like encoding video, rather than everyday general-use jobs that don't lean on multicore performance. Every bit a result, its PCMark 8 score, which measures general productivity, isn't off the charts, just it still beats the 7th-generation Blade Stealth. The XPS 13 is rocking the same eighth-gen processor, just its less-demanding display allowed for a college score on this test. The Bract was speedy on our multimedia tests, as expected, but as you tin see in the tabular array, the XPS has the advantage on these tests. As with the previous version, information technology also runs quietly, which is a bonus equally it won't bother you or those around yous with revving fans.

As with almost all ultraportables, 3D and gaming operation on the Stealth is an reconsideration. These lightweight laptops nearly exclusively pack only the graphics built into the processor, non discrete cards dedicated to powerful 3D performance. Every bit a result, only the near uncomplicated games run on the Stealth, or some midrange titles with settings turned low. This was demonstrated on the Heaven and Valley gaming tests, which measure out frame rates: Fifty-fifty on lowly 720p resolution and medium settings, the Stealth couldn't boilerplate 30 frames per second (fps). That's not abnormal for the category, and so just know going in that this auto is not intended for gaming, despite being a Razer product. Check out our full review of the previous Razer Blade, though, to see how y'all can apply the Razer Core, an external graphics enclosure, to plow this into a more powerful gaming motorcar.

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Bombardment life is something of a mixed handbag. The Stealth'due south time of 8 hours and 36 minutes on our rundown exam is non poor, and that duration should become yous through the solar day. Its QHD+ screen is draining, though, and in comparing the 1080p XPS 13 lasted for 15:56 on the same test, while the Yoga 920 ran for a whopping 22:38. Long-lasting battery life is a big portion of the appeal of an ultraportable, and so you may want to await at one of those longer-lasting models if you're going to travel a lot and employ your laptop off the charger.

Incremental Improvement

This refreshed Blade Stealth doesn't bring major changes, merely it's undoubtedly faster than the model touting a seventh-generation processor. If you're deciding between the 2 and are concerned about speed, I'd recommend yous go for the newest processor. It's $100 more than, just the added cores bring a performance advantage and help time to come-proof your buy. The XPS 13 remains our Editors' Choice, however, equally it'southward faster and less expensive while offering a nice build of its own, even if you do forgo a college-resolution touch brandish.