Razer Announces Blade Stealth Ultrabook and Razer Core External Graphics Enclosure

By David Yee

Wednesday, 06 January 2016

RAZER LAUNCHES THE ULTIMATE ULTRABOOK: ULTRA-PORTABILITY, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE AND UNBEATABLE VALUE

Razer plans to disrupt the PC industry by offering a new direct-to-consumer laptop model where the Razer Blade Stealth will be sold with premium configurations at a lower price points than competitors

Razer_Blade_Stealth_desktop_setup

LAS VEGAS (CES 2016) Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced the ultimate Ultrabook, the Razer Blade Stealth. Featuring an incredibly sleek form factor, the latest Intel Core i7 processor and a stunning 4K display, the ultra-thin notebook also gives gamers the option of unprecedented desktop-level gaming performance with the help of the Razer Core via Thunderbolt 3.

Razer is also planning on disrupting the entire PC industry with an innovative new direct-to-consumer model that allows the new Razer Blade Stealth to be sold with premium configurations, but at a lower price point relative to the competition.

The Razer Blade Stealth measures 0.52 inches thin and weighs just 2.75 pounds. Razer’s latest chassis is CNC-milled out of aircraft grade aluminum, providing a sleek yet solid design. Its 12.5-in. touch display comes in two resolutions: an Ultra HD variant with an eye-dazzling 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution and 100 percent coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, and a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution version. Both displays are touch-enabled and feature wide viewing angles and high-color saturation to display content with striking clarity and accuracy.Razer_Blade_Stealth_V2

To power both models, Razer’s award-winning design team equipped the Razer Blade Stealth with the latest 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor. PCIe SSD technology offers up to three times faster speeds than traditional solid-state drives. All models will feature 8 GB of dual-channel system memory, providing a combination of components that offer high performance in an extremely portable form factor. Additionally, Thunderbolt 3 provides remarkable connectivity via the Blade Stealth’s compact USB-C port at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, the fastest, most versatile link to any dock, display or data device.

The Razer Blade Stealth base model will start at $999, while the highest-end version will sell for $1,599. By way of its direct-to-consumer program, the Razer Blade Stealth is priced significantly less than comparable systems from other manufacturers. Available through Razer’s physical and online stores, pre-orders are open now and units will ship in January. In February, the Razer Blade Stealth availability will be expanded to Microsoft Stores.

The Razer Blade Stealth’s hardcore gaming chops are unlocked via the plug-and-play external desktop graphics enclosure, the Razer Core. A single Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable supplies both data and power and is all it takes to connect Razer’s Ultrabook with the Razer Core. The device can accommodate virtually every popular desktop graphics card from both AMD and NVIDIA. Physical installation of GPUs takes seconds with the Razer Coreits durable aluminum housing slides open effortlessly and a single screw can secure the graphics card in place. Razer’s solution helps future-proof systems, as graphics cards are easily swappable as new components become available.

Bringing desktop-level graphics and 4K external display output to an Ultrabook is only part of the latest systems solution from Razer. The Razer Core contains four additional USB 3.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity. Plug-and-play support with validated graphics cards allows for quick connections without the need to reboot the PC. It is now easier than ever to transform a thin and light notebook into a desktop experience.

“Before today, gamers needed a portable system for everyday work and a separate desktop computer to power their PC games at the highest level possible,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “For the first time ever, there is no need for two separate systems. The Razer Blade Stealth offers the portability of an Ultrabook with the scalability to play hardcore games with desktop graphics performance thanks to the Razer Core. Furthermore, the Razer Blade Stealth starts at just $999, which is significantly lower than any other comparable laptop in its class.”

In addition, the Razer Blade Stealth will be the first laptop in the world equipped with individually backlit RGB keys. Millions of color options for the keyboard are available thanks to Razer’s Chroma technology. All Razer Chroma products which include mice, keyboards, headsets and a mouse mat feature 16.8 million customizable colors and a range of effects such as spectrum cycling, breathing, reactive and more, enabled through Razer’s Synapse software. Synapse allows synchronizing lighting colors and patterns between Chroma devices with the click of a button. An SDK is available for developers to integrate effects in-game, and it is already supported by AAA game titles including Call of Duty and Overwatch.

The Razer Blade Stealth joins the Company’s storied line of systems products. The 14-inch Razer Blade and 17-inch Razer Blade Pro set the industry benchmark for power and portability, redefining what a gaming laptop could be. At past Consumer Electronics shows, Razer won official “Best of CES” awards with the Razer Switchblade, Project Fiona and Project Christine concepts. The Razer Edge tablet won the CES “Best of Show” in 2013, besting a field of more than 20,000 electronic devices at the world’s most prestigious tech tradeshow.

To find out more about the Razer Blade Stealth and the Razer Core, visit http://rzr.to/blade-stealth.

Availability:

Razer Store and Razerstore.com: Razer Blade Stealth on-sale now, shipping January 2016; Razer Core shipping first half 2016

Microsoft Stores: Razer Blade Stealth in February 2016; Razer Core in first half 2016

Price:

Razer Blade Stealth: Starts at $999

Razer Core: Price not yet available

Specs:

Razer Blade Stealth:

  • 12.5 in. IGZO 16:9 aspect ratio, capacitive multi-touch display
  • QHD (2560 x 1440)
    • 128 GB / 256GB PCIe SSD options
  • UHD (3840 x 2160)
    • 256 GB / 512 GB PCIe SSD options
  • Intel Core i7-6500U Dual-Core Processor (2.5 GHz / 3.1 GHz)
  • Intel HD Graphics 520
  • 128 GB / 256 GB PCIe SSD options (QHD display models)
  • 256 GB / 512 GB PCIe SSD options (UHD display models)
  • 8 GB Dual-Channel System Memory (LPDDR3-1866MHz)
  • Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Wireless-AC (802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth 4.1)
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
  • USB 3.0 port x 2 (SuperSpeed)
  • Built-in webcam (2.0 MP)
  • Chroma anti-ghosting keyboard with individually backlit keys
  • HDMI 1.4b audio and video output
  • Built-in stereo speakers
  • 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo port
  • Built-in array microphone
  • Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) security chip embedded
  • Compact 45 W USB-C power adapter
  • Built-in 45 Wh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery
  • 0.52 in. / 13.1 mm (Height) x 12.6 in. / 321 mm (Width) x 8.1 in. / 206 mm (Depth)
  • 2.75 lbs. / 1.25 kg

Razer Core:

  • Connection to PC via Thunderbolt 3 using included 40Gbps cable
  • Supports single double-wide, full-length, PCI-Express x16 graphics card
  • GPU max dimensions 5.98 in. / 152 mm (Height) x 1.73 in. / 44 mm (Width) x 12.20 in. / 310 mm (Length)
  • GPU max power support 375 W
  • USB 3.0 port x 4 (SuperSpeed)
  • Gigabyte Ethernet (10/100/1000)
  • Chroma lighting (2 zones)
  • Built-in 500 W power supply
  • 8.6 in. / 218.4 mm (Height) x 4.13 in. / 104.9 mm (Width) x 13.38 in. / 339.9 mm (Length)

Video:

http://rzr.to/blade-stealth-video

About Razer:

Razer is a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers.

Razer is transforming the way people play games, engage with other gamers and identify with the gamer lifestyle. Having won the coveted “Best of CES” award consecutively for four years, the company’s leadership in product innovation continues to create new categories for the gaming community that is estimated to have over 1 billion gamers worldwide.

Razer’s award-winning design and technology include an array of user interface and systems devices, voice-over IP for gamers and a cloud platform for customizing and enhancing gaming devices.

Founded in 2005, Razer is backed by IDG-Accel and Heliconia Capital Management (Heliconia), a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore investment company Temasek. For more information visit http://www.razerzone.com/about-razer.