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Razer Blade Stealth (GTX 1650 Max-Q) Review: 4K screen, battery life & CPU performance disappoint

Cheaper screen, better choice!? Razer has tried to create the ultimate machine for gamers on the go. The result is the new Razer Blade Stealth. It has many good qualities, such as its powerful GPU, but the 4K screen cannot satisfy us. The CPU performance could be better as well.

13.3-inch laptops with gaming-ready GPUs are rare, as the heat output is normally too much for such small form-factor laptops. Despite this, Razer still tries its luck. The new Razer Blade Stealth combines the newest Ice Lake processors with the recent Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q. This is a combination that is pretty much not available anywhere else. Combined with the 512 GB SSD, 16 GB RAM and the 4K UHD touchscreen, our review unit is clearly a high-end configuration of the Razer Blade Stealth. In Germany, the Razer Blade Stealth with these specs costs 2,200 Euros (~$2,424).

Due to the lack of other 13.3-inch gaming alternatives, we compare the Razer Blade Stealth with other Ice Lake ultrabooks: The Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 as well as the Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL. Also, we use the recently tested iGPU model of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 for our comparisons.

Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 (Blade Stealth Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-1065G7 4 x 1.3 - 3.9 GHz, Ice Lake-U
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q - 4 GB VRAM, Core: 1254 MHz, Memory: 1751 MHz, 1F91, 436.15, Optimus (Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7)
Memory
16 GB 
, LPDDR4-3744, onboard
Display
13.30 inch 16:9, 3840 x 2160 pixel 331 PPI, 10 point touch, AUO202B, IPS LED, glossy: yes, HDR
Mainboard
Intel 495 (Ice Lake-U PCH-LP Premium)
Storage
Lite-On CA3-8D512
Soundcard
Intel Ice Lake-U/Y PCH-LP cAVS
Connections
3 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 USB 3.1 Gen2, 1 Thunderbolt, 2 DisplayPort, Audio Connections: combo audio
Networking
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (a/b/g/h/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 15.3 x 304.6 x 210 ( = 0.6 x 11.99 x 8.27 in)
Battery
53.1 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 720p with infrared
Additional features
Speakers: quad speaker system, Keyboard: 6 row chiclet with multicolor backlight, Keyboard Light: yes
Weight
1.471 kg ( = 51.89 oz / 3.24 pounds), Power Supply: 582 g ( = 20.53 oz / 1.28 pounds)
Price
2199 Euro
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Rating
Date
Model
Weight
Height
Size
Resolution
Best Price
83.7 %
11/2019
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
i7-1065G7, GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
1.5 kg15.3 mm13.30"3840x2160
86.3 %
10/2019
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)
1.3 kg13 mm13.40"1920x1200
88.2 %
10/2019
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)
1.4 kg14.95 mm14.00"1920x1080
86.3 %
10/2019
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)
1.4 kg15.3 mm13.30"1920x1080

Razer gaming laptop with black aluminum chassis

Razer Blade Stealth 13
Razer Blade Stealth 13

The small Razer Blade does not have the surname "Stealth" without reason, as its chassis is completely colored black. When the machine is turned off, the green USB Type-A ports are the only colorful elements. Turned on, the RGB backlit keyboard creates additional flair.

The design of the Stealth is visually simple and premium in its build quality. The chassis is completely made out of anodized black aluminum, apart from the screen bezel and touchpad (which are both made out of glass). All around, the feel of the materials is extremely premium and the stability is great as well. Especially the base unit cannot be twisted or flexed. The thin screen cover is a bit weaker, though it does parry pressure on the back pretty well. 

The wide drop-down hinge has a plastic cap – Razer probably hides the Wi-Fi antennas here. Razer has finely adjusted the hinges so the screen can be opened with one finger. The maximum opening angle of the screen is roughly 130° and the hinge does not allow any screen wobbling.

Of the compact Ice Lake laptops, the Razer Blade Stealth is the thickest one. Considering the powerful components of the Razer, this is not a huge surprise. Compared with the Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1, the Razer Blade 13 is slightly bigger. The Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL on the other hand is wider and deeper, due to its 14-inch LCD. In terms of weight, both rival Ice Lake notebooks are lighter than the Razer Blade.

Size and weight comparison

320.3 mm / 12.6 inch 215.6 mm / 8.49 inch 14.95 mm / 0.589 inch 1.4 kg3.09 lbs304.6 mm / 12 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 15.3 mm / 0.602 inch 1.5 kg3.24 lbs296 mm / 11.7 inch 207 mm / 8.15 inch 13 mm / 0.512 inch 1.3 kg2.93 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Simple connectivity options for the Razer laptop

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 has a simple array of ports. There are two USB Type-A and two USB Type-C ports. Additionally, there is a combo audio port and the USB Type-C port on the right is a Thunderbolt 3 port. With the port selection, the Razer is more flexible than the Ice Lake competitors Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 and Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL, wihich have either no USB Type-A ports (XPS 13) or just one (Lenovo Yoga). 

A clever detail is the location of the two USB Type-C ports. One is on the left and the other is on the right, which means that the device can be charged from both sides.

Right: USB 3.0 Type-A, Thunderbolt 3
Right: USB 3.0 Type-A, Thunderbolt 3
Left: USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, combo audio
Left: USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, combo audio

Communication

The Intel Wireless AX201 is the Wi-Fi module of the Razer Blade Stealth. This is a 2x2 WLAN card of the newest generation with Wi-Fi 6 support. In our benchmarks, the Wi-Fi card cannot achieve its maximum transfer rates, due to the lack of a Wi-Fi 6 router. Still, the Wireless AX201 achieves excellent transfer rates overall and delivers a stable performance in everyday use.

Networking
iperf3 transmit AX12
Average of class Subnotebook
  (606 - 1339, n=3, last 2 years)
1056 MBit/s +66%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
743 MBit/s +16%
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2019 i5 4TB3
Broadcom 802.11ac
710 MBit/s +11%
Dell XPS 15 7590 9980HK GTX 1650
Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650x Wireless Network Adapter (200NGW)
644 MBit/s +1%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
638 (626min - 644max) MBit/s
Apple MacBook Air 2018
Broadcom 802.11ac
461 (216min - 525max) MBit/s -28%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650s
356 MBit/s -44%
iperf3 receive AX12
Average of class Subnotebook
  (623 - 1690, n=3, last 2 years)
1258 MBit/s +79%
Apple MacBook Pro 13 2019 i5 4TB3
Broadcom 802.11ac
730 MBit/s +4%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
703 (641min - 729max) MBit/s
Dell XPS 15 7590 9980HK GTX 1650
Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650x Wireless Network Adapter (200NGW)
674 MBit/s -4%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650s
640 MBit/s -9%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201
635 MBit/s -10%
Apple MacBook Air 2018
Broadcom 802.11ac
570 (566min - 572max) MBit/s -19%
04080120160200240280320360400440480520560600640680720Tooltip
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201; iperf3 receive AX12; iperf 3.1.3: Ø703 (641-729)
Apple MacBook Air 2018 Broadcom 802.11ac; iperf3 receive AX12: Ø478 (462-488)
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201; iperf3 transmit AX12; iperf 3.1.3: Ø638 (626-644)
Apple MacBook Air 2018 Broadcom 802.11ac; iperf3 transmit AX12; iperf 3.1.3: Ø454 (216-525)

Accessories

Apart from the 100 W USB Type-C charger there are no additional accessories in the box.

Maintenance

To open up the chassis of the Razer Blade Stealth 13, the 10 TX5 screws on the bottom of the system have to be removed. Afterwards, the bottom cover can be removed, as there are no annoying clips that secure the cover. The innards of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 are dominated by the cooling system and the battery. The battery can be removed and the fans can be cleaned. Since the RAM is soldered down, only the M.2 2280 SSD and the Wi-Fi module can be upgraded.

Innards
Innards

Warranty

The warranty of the manufacturer only covers the first year after purchase. That is not a lot, especially in this price segment. Many cheaper consumer laptops have two-year warranties. Optionally, a three-year warranty upgrade (RazerCare) can be purchased.

Input devices: Touchpad of the Razer ultrabook is great

Keyboard

The keyboard of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is not a full-size model. For example, the right Shift key is visibly smaller. In this regard, getting used to the keyboard may be necessary if one is used to wider layouts. Also notable is the power button, which is part of the keyboard. When using the keyboard, you have to be careful not to hit it instead of the Delete key. 

The angular, flat chiclet keys have a progressive RGB backlight. The pressure point of the keys is crisp and precise and their travel is pretty low, though still longer than the recent Apple MacBook Pro 13. The typing feel of the keys is pretty good and the keyboard is very usable overall. Still, people who are used to desktop keyboards may need a little bit of time to adjust to the smaller layout and shorter key travel.

Keyboard area Razer Blade Stealth 13
Keyboard area Razer Blade Stealth 13

Touchpad

The surface of the touchpad is made out of glass. Its size and scope is ample for a 13.3-inch laptop and it offers an excellent amount of smoothness. Since this is a ClickPad, there are no dedicated buttons for the touchpad. Instead, the bottom of the pad can be depressed. In terms of quality, the Razer is absolutely part of the upper echelon of touchpads. We cannot complain about the driver performance, either. The touchpad is precise and multi-touch gestures are reliably recognized, too.

4K screen of the Razer notebook could be much better

There are two different screen options for the Razer Blade Stealth 13. We were already able to review the FHD version with the iGPU Blade Stealth. Today's review unit contains the second option, a glossy touch 4K UHD LCD (3840x2160) that is based on IPS technology. 

The measurements of the screen are disappointing for us, especially the LCD brightness, as the FHD version of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 actually has a brighter screen. Also notably bad are the slow reaction times, which might lead to ghosting in games. For a gaming laptop, this is certainly a big con.

Subpixel array Razer Blade Stealth 13
Subpixel array Razer Blade Stealth 13
Barely any backlight bleeding (shown enhanced here)
Barely any backlight bleeding (shown enhanced here)
333
cd/m²
332
cd/m²
325
cd/m²
327
cd/m²
353
cd/m²
322
cd/m²
337
cd/m²
359
cd/m²
331
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
AUO202B tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 359 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 335.4 cd/m² Minimum: 7.5 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Center on Battery: 353 cd/m²
Contrast: 1412:1 (Black: 0.25 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.4 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5, calibrated: 1.1
ΔE Greyscale 5.49 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
96% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
61% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
65.7% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
95.8% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
64.3% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.26
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
AUO202B, IPS LED, 3840x2160, 13.30
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Sharp LQ134N1, IPS, 1920x1200, 13.40
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
LP140WF9-SPE2, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 14.00
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Sharp LQ133M1JW41, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
Display
7%
2%
2%
Display P3 Coverage
64.3
69.9
9%
66
3%
66.2
3%
sRGB Coverage
95.8
99.2
4%
97.9
2%
97.2
1%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
65.7
71.5
9%
67.3
2%
67.1
2%
Response Times
24%
22%
21%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
62 ?(30, 32)
47.6 ?(23.2, 24.4)
23%
49.6 ?(23.6, 26)
20%
45.2 ?(22.4, 22.8)
27%
Response Time Black / White *
39 ?(24, 15)
29.2 ?(16, 13.2)
25%
30 ?(16.4, 13.6)
23%
33.2 ?(17.6, 15.6)
15%
PWM Frequency
2500 ?(25)
22730 ?(24)
Screen
17%
17%
20%
Brightness middle
353
549.8
56%
384
9%
422.6
20%
Brightness
335
520
55%
363
8%
404
21%
Brightness Distribution
90
86
-4%
90
0%
87
-3%
Black Level *
0.25
0.39
-56%
0.17
32%
0.35
-40%
Contrast
1412
1410
0%
2259
60%
1207
-15%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
4.4
2.12
52%
3.5
20%
1.02
77%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
7.21
3.66
49%
5.5
24%
3.06
58%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
1.1
1.37
-25%
1
9%
0.95
14%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
5.49
2.6
53%
4.6
16%
1
82%
Gamma
2.26 97%
2.3 96%
2.32 95%
2.21 100%
CCT
7689 85%
6884 94%
6884 94%
6502 100%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
61
65.4
7%
62
2%
62.1
2%
Color Space (Percent of sRGB)
96
99.7
4%
97.7
2%
97.1
1%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
16% / 16%
14% / 15%
14% / 17%

* ... smaller is better

Colors
Colors
Saturation
Saturation
Grayscale
Grayscale
Colors (calibrated)
Colors (calibrated)
Saturation (calibrated)
Saturation (calibrated)
Grayscale (calibrated)
Grayscale (calibrated)

The contrast of 1412:1 is good and the colors look pretty nice when the screen is calibrated, too. Without calibration, there is a bluish tint, which is strange, considering that Razer advertises this laptop with "factory calibrated" screens.

The screen almost completely covers the sRGB color gamut with 96% coverage. Simple photo-editing is definitely possible with this display, though it does not represent an upgrade in this area over the cheaper FHD screen. Both offer pretty much the same color-gamut coverage.

sRGB: 96%
sRGB: 96%
AdobeRGB: 61%
AdobeRGB: 61%
Outdoors (cloudy)
Outdoors (cloudy)

When using the Razer ultrabook outdoors, the screen is usable, despite the glossy surface. That is only true when using it in the shadows or when the sky is cloudy, though. Even then, users still have to live with annoying reflections.

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
39 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 24 ms rise
↘ 15 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 96 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (21.6 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
62 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 30 ms rise
↘ 32 ms fall
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.2 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 96 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.9 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18110 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured.

There is nothing to complain about when it comes to the viewing-angle stability.

Viewing angles Razer Blade Stealth 13
Viewing angles Razer Blade Stealth 13

Performance of the Razer ultrabook: Weak CPU, strong GPU

There is just a single CPU choice for the Razer Blade Stealth 13: The Intel Core i7-1065G7. For the GPU, we have the Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 as well as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q in some models. In any case, there is 16 GB LPDDR4-3766 memory soldered down, and as for mass storage there is a single 256 GB or 512 GB SSD equipped.

CPU-Z
CPU-Z
CPU-Z Caches
CPU-Z Caches
CPU-Z Mainboard
CPU-Z Mainboard
HWiNFO
HWiNFO
GPU-Z Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7
GPU-Z Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7
LatencyMon
LatencyMon

Processor

The Core i7-1065G7 is a quad core processor of the newest Ice Lake generation from Intel. This CPU is manufactured in the 10 nm process and it has a typical maximum power consumption of 15 W. The clock-rates have a range of 1.3 to 3.9 GHz. Our CPU comparison table enables comparisons with other processors.

In the Razer Blade Stealth without dGPU, the CPU can consume up to 25 W. This is not the case with our review unit today, as the CPU is permanently limited to 15 W. That is why the Core i7-1065G7 cannot nearly realize its complete potential. Logically, today's Razer Blade Stealth disappoints in the CPU benchmarks compared with the other Ice Lake laptops.

The CPU performance is slightly limited in battery mode. Instead of 520 points, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 only achieves 475 points in the Cinebench R15 multicore test.

04590135180225270315360405450495540585630675720765810Tooltip
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7: Ø483 (464-551)
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7 Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7: Ø672 (632.81-836.68)
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7; Performance Mode: Ø702 (693.71-740.11)
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7: Ø672 (659-720)
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Core i7-1065G7: Ø671 (663.4-722.7)
Cinebench R15
CPU Single 64Bit
Average of class Subnotebook
  (91.8 - 280, n=62, last 2 years)
234 Points +37%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Core i7-1065G7
179 Points +5%
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7
  (141 - 190, n=35)
174.2 Points +2%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Core i7-1065G7
174 Points +2%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Intel Core i7-1065G7
171 Points
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Intel Core i7-1065G7
149 Points -13%
CPU Multi 64Bit
Average of class Subnotebook
  (514 - 2581, n=70, last 2 years)
1705 Points +209%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Core i7-1065G7
830 Points +51%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Core i7-1065G7
740 (693min - 740max) Points +34%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Core i7-1065G7
720 (659min - 720max) Points +31%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Intel Core i7-1065G7
676 Points +23%
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7
  (288 - 836, n=36)
648 Points +18%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Intel Core i7-1065G7
551 (464min - 551max) Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
551 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
171 Points
Cinebench R15 OpenGL 64Bit
96.7 fps
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
99.6 %
Help

System performance

We cannot complain about the system performance. In everyday use, the system works flawlessly and in the benchmarks the Razer Blade Stealth 13 performed well.

PCMark 10
Score
Average of class Subnotebook
  (4384 - 7428, n=56, last 2 years)
5810 Points +30%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
4677 Points +4%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
4609 Points +3%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
4583 Points +2%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
4484 Points
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (4184 - 4484, n=2)
4334 Points -3%
Essentials
Average of class Subnotebook
  (8890 - 11168, n=56, last 2 years)
10202 Points +22%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
9678 Points +16%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
9678 Points +16%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
9664 Points +15%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
8373 Points
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (8266 - 8373, n=2)
8320 Points -1%
Productivity
Average of class Subnotebook
  (6213 - 10279, n=56, last 2 years)
7803 Points +16%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
7245 Points +8%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
7179 Points +7%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
6924 Points +3%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
6739 Points
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (6448 - 6739, n=2)
6594 Points -2%
Digital Content Creation
Average of class Subnotebook
  (4093 - 9749, n=56, last 2 years)
6758 Points +56%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
4338 Points
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (3731 - 4338, n=2)
4035 Points -7%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
3998 Points -8%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
3900 Points -10%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
3796 Points -12%
PCMark 8
Home Score Accelerated v2
Average of class Subnotebook
  (4730 - 5285, n=3, last 2 years)
5030 Points +66%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
4030 Points +33%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
4003 Points +32%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
3982 Points +31%
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (3029 - 3369, n=2)
3199 Points +6%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
3029 Points
Work Score Accelerated v2
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
5173 Points +26%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
5158 Points +26%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), i7-1065G7, Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
5086 Points +24%
Average Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (4099 - 4466, n=2)
4283 Points +4%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512
4099 Points
Average of class Subnotebook
  (2972 - 5271, n=3, last 2 years)
3805 Points -7%
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
3029 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
4099 points
PCMark 10 Score
4484 points
Help

Storage solution

The M.2 2280 SSD in the Razer Blade Stealth has been made by LiteOn and has a capacity of 512 GB. This SSD is extremely fast and can even compete with the Samsung PM981.

Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Lite-On CA3-8D512
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ
Average Lite-On CA3-8D512
 
CrystalDiskMark 5.2 / 6
-22%
1%
-10%
0%
Write 4K
153
106.7
-30%
128.4
-16%
176.8
16%
153
0%
Read 4K
59.5
49.94
-16%
46.37
-22%
48.38
-19%
59.5
0%
Write Seq
1608
1223
-24%
1863
16%
1332
-17%
1608
0%
Read Seq
2293
1801
-21%
2340
2%
1644
-28%
2293
0%
Write 4K Q32T1
497
325.3
-35%
451.1
-9%
440.6
-11%
497
0%
Read 4K Q32T1
544
551
1%
415.3
-24%
559
3%
544
0%
Write Seq Q32T1
1640
1224
-25%
2985
82%
1104
-33%
1640
0%
Read Seq Q32T1
3158
2350
-26%
2565
-19%
3481
10%
3158
0%
Lite-On CA3-8D512
Sequential Read: 2130 MB/s
Sequential Write: 535 MB/s
512K Read: 1631 MB/s
512K Write: 1153 MB/s
4K Read: 58.8 MB/s
4K Write: 157.3 MB/s
4K QD32 Read: 556 MB/s
4K QD32 Write: 486.9 MB/s

GPU

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q is a GPU of the Nvidia Turing generation. In the Razer Blade Stealth, the GeForce has 4 GB dedicated GDDR5 memory. In the Nvidia GeForce lineup, the GTX 1650 Max-Q is a mid-range solution. It is the defining feature of the Razer Blade Stealth, as compact laptops normally never feature such a strong GPU. The GPU table enables comparisons with other GPUs. 

The GeForce is more than twice as powerful as the Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7. Compared to the regular variation of the GTX 1650, the GTX 1650 Max-Q is roughly 16 to 18% slower.

When using the device on battery power, the GPU performance is clearly limited. In 3DMark11, the GPU score just reaches 6,742 points, which means that one-third of the performance is lost.

3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU
Dell XPS 15 7590 9980HK GTX 1650
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Mobile, Intel Core i9-9980HK
12388 Points +16%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (10248 - 12259, n=14)
11171 Points +4%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, Intel Core i7-1065G7
10699 Points
Average of class Subnotebook
  (2979 - 16904, n=55, last 2 years)
8016 Points -25%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
4613 Points -57%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
4594 Points -57%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
4252 Points -60%
3DMark - 2560x1440 Time Spy Graphics
Dell XPS 15 7590 9980HK GTX 1650
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Mobile, Intel Core i9-9980HK
3353 Points +18%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (2836 - 3238, n=10)
2998 Points +6%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, Intel Core i7-1065G7
2840 Points
Average of class Subnotebook
  (811 - 4773, n=58, last 2 years)
1981 Points -30%
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
835 Points -71%
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
833 Points -71%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Intel Core i7-1065G7
792 Points -72%
3DMark 11 Performance
9381 points
3DMark Time Spy Score
2859 points
Help

Gaming Performance

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q is able to play newer games with high graphical details. That is only true for the FHD resolution, as the GPU is not powerful enough for 4K UHD. One definite positive is the fact that the Razer Blade Stealth can hold its GPU performance without any throttling in our The Witcher 3 loop. After an hour, there is only a very small drop in GPU performance.

The Witcher 3 - 1920x1080 High Graphics & Postprocessing (Nvidia HairWorks Off)
Dell XPS 15 7590 9980HK GTX 1650
Intel Core i9-9980HK, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Mobile
64.8 fps +40%
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
  (41.5 - 65.1, n=11)
52.6 fps +14%
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
Intel Core i7-1065G7, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
46.3 fps
Average of class Subnotebook
  (11.2 - 92, n=57, last 2 years)
34.4 fps -26%
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
Intel Core i7-1065G7, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU)
19.1 fps -59%
0510152025Tooltip
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, i7-1065G7, Lite-On CA3-8D512: Ø28.1 (25-30)
low med. high ultra4K
BioShock Infinite (2013) 230.7 186.6 169.3 70.3
The Witcher 3 (2015) 137.5 84.9 46.3 27.5 17.5
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) 134.6 93 50.9 41.7 18.3

Emissions: Razer gaming laptop with good speakers

Noise

When the machine idles, the fans are always turned off. Under load, they run with a maximum loudness level of 38 dB(A). This is clearly audible but not extremely irritating. It seems like quietness was one of Razer's priorities. Also, we were not able to detect any coil whine.

Noise Level

Idle
30 / 30 / 30 dB(A)
Load
33.9 / 38.1 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Audix TM1, Arta (15 cm distance)   environment noise: 30 dB(A)
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2035.934.53332.835.92536.635.534.934.836.63138.834.838.138.738.84034.933.931.634.234.95038.135.632.536.738.16332.232.631.830.532.28027.426.726.625.527.410025.526.825.924.925.512524.925.125.523.724.916023.623.823.623.423.620023.223.322.622.523.225024.522.621.421.524.531524.522.22120.724.540023.221.319.819.923.250022.320.719.719.122.363021.92018.919.221.98002320.917.818.123100025.321.417.617.825.3125024.421.617.317.224.4160027.823.817.51727.820002923.817.317.329250030.524.817.517.430.5315029.723.117.317.429.7400023.82017.617.723.850002118.717.717.721630019.918.317.917.919.9800018.718.117.917.918.71000018.218.217.917.918.21250017.91817.817.817.91600017.917.917.817.817.9SPL38.233.930.130.138.2N2.61.91.41.42.6median 23.6median 21.4median 17.9median 17.9median 23.6Delta2.32.71.51.62.3hearing rangehide median Fan NoiseRazer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7

Temperatures

Stress test (Prime95 + FurMark)
Stress test (Prime95 + FurMark)

With such a compact and thin gaming laptop, it is not possible to keep the temperatures down completely. Surprisingly though, the maximum temperatures did not exceed 46.9 °C. One thing to criticize is that the palm rest gets pretty warm, though the temperatures are not critical in this area.

The behavior of the Razer ultrabook in the stress test is not noteworthy. Under a combination of Prime95 and FurMark running, the CPU can run with its boost frequency for a few seconds before it is limited to 15 W. This state of affairs does not change until the end of the stress test. Neither GPU nor CPU have to throttle and the maximum CPU temperature of 86 °C is not critical.

Max. Load
 44.1 °C
111 F
46.9 °C
116 F
38.9 °C
102 F
 
 39.1 °C
102 F
42.1 °C
108 F
37.9 °C
100 F
 
 35.3 °C
96 F
32.6 °C
91 F
34.7 °C
94 F
 
Maximum: 46.9 °C = 116 F
Average: 39.1 °C = 102 F
38.7 °C
102 F
46.3 °C
115 F
38.7 °C
102 F
36.8 °C
98 F
43.4 °C
110 F
41.2 °C
106 F
34.8 °C
95 F
38.6 °C
101 F
37.2 °C
99 F
Maximum: 46.3 °C = 115 F
Average: 39.5 °C = 103 F
Power Supply (max.)  51.5 °C = 125 F | Room Temperature 23.1 °C = 74 F | FIRT 550-Pocket
(-) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 39.1 °C / 102 F, compared to the average of 30.7 °C / 87 F for the devices in the class Subnotebook.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 46.9 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 35.9 °C / 97 F, ranging from 21.4 to 59 °C for the class Subnotebook.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 46.3 °C / 115 F, compared to the average of 39.4 °C / 103 F
(±) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 32 °C / 90 F, compared to the device average of 30.7 °C / 87 F.
(±) Playing The Witcher 3, the average temperature for the upper side is 35.7 °C / 96 F, compared to the device average of 30.7 °C / 87 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (35.3 °C / 95.5 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.3 °C / 82.9 F (-7 °C / -12.6 F).
Palm rest (idle)
Palm rest (idle)
Bottom (idle)
Bottom (idle)
Palm rest (load)
Palm rest (load)
Bottom (load)
Bottom (load)
Palm rest (The Witcher 3)
Palm rest (The Witcher 3)
Bottom (The Witcher 3)
Bottom (The Witcher 3)

Speakers

Razer places the stereo speakers to the left and the right of the keyboard. Their quality is pretty great for such a compact laptop, though they could be a little bit louder. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the combo audio port.

dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2035.232.835.22535.434.835.43136.538.736.54033.134.233.15031.736.731.76329.130.529.18030.525.530.510036.224.936.212543.323.743.316044.723.444.72004122.54125050.421.550.431557.220.757.240064.719.964.750064.619.164.663068.519.268.580065.718.165.710006717.867125063.517.263.51600671767200065.817.365.825006217.462315063.817.463.8400059.417.759.4500059.617.759.6630060.917.960.980005917.959100005817.9581250057.417.857.41600055.317.855.3SPL7630.176N38.11.438.1median 59.6median 17.9median 59.6Delta6.71.66.74144.438.239.33838.136.238.936.837.338.537.236.336.934.945.933.453.533.359.832.361.331.661.530.665.429.96629.663.229.269.728.873.228.27427.670.227.569.827.670.227.265.72756.72761.32762.526.966.426.867.126.87126.66626.761.439.980.73.851.2median 27.6median 65.71.34.733.733.526.126.628.831.629.829.924.630.222.440.121.841.82351.12353.52258.822.963.322.767.120.56920.370.919.168.518.869.11868.518.164.817.36616.966.216.663.416.464.916.162.816.162.516561652.315.947.515.746.815.546.815.341.829.376.81.240.5median 17.3median 63.32.17.7hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseRazer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 audio analysis

(-) | not very loud speakers (68.5 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 14.1% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (13.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.2% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 1.5% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 47% of all tested devices in this class were better, 7% similar, 46% worse
» The best had a delta of 5%, average was 19%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 33% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 59% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7 audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (80.7 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 7.8% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (12.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.5% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.4% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (10.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (14.8% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 19% of all tested devices in this class were better, 3% similar, 78% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 21%, worst was 57%
Compared to all devices tested
» 15% of all tested devices were better, 4% similar, 81% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (76.8 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 6% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (9.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.9% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (3.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | reduced highs - on average 7.6% lower than median
(+) | highs are linear (6.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (16.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 24% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 68% worse
» The best had a delta of 6%, average was 21%, worst was 57%
Compared to all devices tested
» 25% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 68% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%

Razer ultrabook energy management: High consumption results in low battery life

Power consumption

The Razer Blade Stealth is not a very power-efficient device. The opposite is true: The lowest power consumption of 10.7 W is extremely high and nearly twice as much as on the Razer Blade Stealth with iGPU. The comparison with the Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL and the Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 is even more unfavorable for the review device.

The maximum power consumption of 71 W is no problem for the 100 W charger.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.6 / 0.7 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 10.7 / 13.6 / 15.7 Watt
Load midlight 60 / 71 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Metrahit Energy
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
i7-1065G7, GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, Lite-On CA3-8D512, IPS LED, 3840x2160, 13.30
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Toshiba BG4 KBG40ZPZ512G, IPS, 1920x1200, 13.40
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 14.00
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB256HAHQ, IPS, 1920x1080, 13.30
Average NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
 
Average of class Subnotebook
 
Power Consumption
47%
39%
34%
-8%
31%
Idle Minimum *
10.7
2.6
76%
3.2
70%
5.9
45%
7.75 ?(2.8 - 28.6, n=12)
28%
4.9 ?(1.77 - 11.8, n=63, last 2 years)
54%
Idle Average *
13.6
5.3
61%
7
49%
8.1
40%
11.8 ?(7.7 - 26.5, n=12)
13%
8.4 ?(4.6 - 17.4, n=63, last 2 years)
38%
Idle Maximum *
15.7
7
55%
8.9
43%
11.2
29%
16.6 ?(9.4 - 32.1, n=12)
-6%
10.4 ?(5.1 - 22.4, n=63, last 2 years)
34%
Load Average *
60
43.1
28%
47.6
21%
44.3
26%
75.2 ?(57 - 112.2, n=12)
-25%
46.1 ?(19.1 - 83.3, n=62, last 2 years)
23%
Witcher 3 ultra *
64
43.1
33%
41.9
35%
Load Maximum *
71
49
31%
63.1
11%
50.2
29%
105.5 ?(67 - 164, n=12)
-49%
66.2 ?(24.2 - 121.2, n=63, last 2 years)
7%

* ... smaller is better

Battery life

Charging time: 120 minutes
Charging time: 120 minutes

The internal battery of the Razer Blade Stealth has a capacity of 53 Wh. Such a capacity is appropriate for a laptop this small. In comparison, the Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 has a 51 Wh battery, while the bigger Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL has a 60 Wh battery.

Unfortunately, the battery life results are disappointing. Only 5.5 hours in the Wi-Fi test is quite a bit worse than on the iGPU model, which managed almost 10 hours in the same test setting. With the maximum screen brightness, the battery life decreased by about an hour in the Wi-Fi test.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
8h 20min
WiFi Websurfing (Edge)
5h 29min
WiFi Websurfing max. Brightness (Edge)
4h 34min
Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p
6h 16min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 54min
Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7
i7-1065G7, GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q, 53.1 Wh
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Core i7
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), 51 Wh
Lenovo Yoga C940-14IIL
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), 60 Wh
Razer Blade Stealth i7-1065G7 Iris Plus
i7-1065G7, Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Ice Lake 64 EU), 53.1 Wh
Average of class Subnotebook
 
Battery Runtime
63%
53%
77%
84%
Reader / Idle
500
1197 ?(581 - 2550, n=10, last 2 years)
139%
H.264
376
793
111%
778 ?(426 - 1153, n=30, last 2 years)
107%
WiFi v1.3
329
537
63%
636
93%
583
77%
623 ?(303 - 1144, n=64, last 2 years)
89%
Load
114
64
-44%
115.4 ?(61 - 197, n=47, last 2 years)
1%

Pros

+ premium aluminum chassis
+ very good touchpad
+ strong GPU performance with a compact design
+ good speakers
+ fan stays quiet most of the time

Cons

- CPU performance limited without GPU load
- all-around disappointing 4K UHD LCD
- bad battery life
- only one year of warranty for a premium laptop

Verdict

in review: Razer Blade Stealth. Test sample provided by Razer.
in review: Razer Blade Stealth. Test sample provided by Razer.

The Razer Blade Stealth manages to achieve balance: It is not only ultra-compact; the Razer ultrabook is very powerful too. That is only true for the GPU performance, however – we are not happy with the CPU performance of the model with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q. 

Of course, limiting the CPU performance was a conscious choice by Razer. The limitation to 15 W is supposed to keep the heat and noise down, which Razer does accomplish. Still: It is not understandable that the CPU is locked down to 15 W even if the GPU is not active at all.

Another important difference of this model compared with the iGPU Razer Blade Stealth is the 4K UHD screen. Unfortunately, its quality is disappointing for us. It is not a bad panel, but compared to the FHD panel of the iGPU Razer Blade it does not offer any advantages other than the higher resolution and the touch surface. In some areas, the opposite is even true: The more affordable FHD screen is visibly brighter than the 4K display. The high-res screen creates another disadvantage as well, as the 4K model has much higher power consumption. The result is anemic battery life numbers, which is pretty bad for such a small laptop. Last but not least, we have to complain about the short one-year standard warranty. 

Despite the overall premium specs: This specific model of the Razer Blade Stealth is not recommendable. The biggest reason for this is the disappointing 4K display.

That is why we cannot recommend the Razer Blade Stealth 13 – but only the model with the 4K screen. Instead, interested consumers should look into the FHD model that features the GeForce GTX GPU. This variant is more affordable and combines the best qualities of the Razer Blade Stealth with the performance of the dedicated GPU. With the lower-resolution screen, battery life should be better, too.

Razer Blade Stealth 13, Core i7-1065G7 - 11/11/2019 v7
Benjamin Herzig

Chassis
89 / 98 → 90%
Keyboard
75%
Pointing Device
88%
Connectivity
58 / 75 → 77%
Weight
69 / 20-75 → 90%
Battery
66%
Display
83%
Games Performance
77 / 78 → 99%
Application Performance
80 / 85 → 95%
Temperature
86%
Noise
96%
Audio
59 / 91 → 65%
Camera
37 / 85 → 44%
Average
74%
84%
Subnotebook - Weighted Average

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Razer Blade Stealth (GTX 1650 Max-Q) Review: 4K screen, battery life & CPU performance disappoint
Benjamin Herzig, 2019-11-15 (Update: 2019-11-15)