Razer Blade Stealth line is known for its compact sharp design and a superior performance. It was first introduced in 2016 and immediately won a “Best of CES 2016” award. The brand originally started out with 12.5-inch Stealth devices that eventually transitioned into the more traditional 13.3-inch screen size. And we are glad they did. That extra inch really does make a difference in terms of improved gaming experience, yet it does not impact the laptop’s portability.
In this article we will be exploring the latest Razer Blade Stealth 2020 lineup, but if you are into serious gaming and looking for a laptop of a more substantial size, we recommend checking out our Razer Blade Pro 17 review from a few months back.
But before we dive in, here is a quick rundown of what to expect from the new Stealth laptops:
| The Good | The Not So Good |
| Impressive specs, decent gaming performance, especially considering the size | Underwhelming screen-to-body ratio |
| Beautiful sleek and sturdy design | Lacks in performance if compared to larger series of the brand |
| Lightweight | Price: more expensive than the comparable brands, like Dell XPS 13 series |
| Touchscreen option available | Runs hot |
Processor and Graphics Options
In late 2020 Razer Blade Stealth series got the 11th generation Intel Core i processors upgrade. Tiger Lake quad-core low power CPU is ideal for thin and light laptops, like this one. Intel Core i7-1165G7 runs at 2.8GHz base speed, 4.7GHz overclocked.
As to the video card, just like its 2020 predecessor, the 2020 Razer Blade Stealth model comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q 4GB VRAM graphics, with no other options currently available. And of course, this is a dual-graphics model, and it has the Intel Iris Xe integrated on-board chip. These specs should be enough for casual gaming, but if you want your laptop to handle the big game, Razer Blade 15 would be a much better choice, as the series offers several GeForce RTX graphics options, including the latest RTX3000 cards, as well as upgradable RAM and storage.
RAM Memory and Storage Drive
Unfortunately, neither RAM nor storage can be modified and all Razer Blade Stealth series models come preconfigured to 16GB dual-channel on-board RAM and 512GB solid state drive. No surprise there, considering the size of the laptop. While a lot of us might think that going on 2021, a 32GB RAM addition would be an expected and logical move, still 16 gigs is sufficient for all you are going to do with your Razer Blade Stealth laptop. And 512GB is a solid amount of storage, we believe it was the right time for the brand to retire the 256GB configuration already.
Razer Blade Stealth 13.3-inch Display
Now that’s where Razer gives you some options to choose from. All are 13.3-inch screens as noted above, and all are FHD panels, 1920×1080 resolution. But here are your choices:
- 60GHz refresh rate matte screen
- 120GHz matte FHD display
- OLED Touchscreen with 60GHz refresh rate
Lower resolution is a no-brainer for smaller laptops and while it may not yield you the most amazing gaming experience, it makes up for it by lower power consumption.
All Late-2020 Razer Blade Stealth models come with 4.9mm bezel frames, which let’s be honest, could be even narrower. As we stated earlier, one of the downsides of the model is its subpar screen-to-body ratio. We think an “edgeless” type display would be a great improvement for the Razer Blade Stealth series laptops. Dell is successfully implementing this type of screen panel in their new XPS laptops, and so is Asus, Lenovo, and Huawei, to name a few brands.
Miscellaneous
At 3.1 lbs the laptop is lightweight and surprisingly durable. All Razer Blade Stealth configurations feature precision glass touchpad, single-zone RGB Razer Chroma programmable keyboard, advanced 7.1 surround sound. The base model currently retails for $1559.99 plus tax, after a 6% online discount. Razer markets their Blade Stealth model as the world’s first gaming ultrabook.
It is also worth mentioning that the brand cultivates the whole lifestyle philosophy around their products, offering a wide range of accessories, from chairs, to apparel and masks. Razer frequently collaborates with other brands and artists, which makes it even more appealing to die-hard fans.
Razer Blade Stealth Trade-in Value
As of today, we have yet to determine the reselling value of a used late-2020 Razer Blade Stealth laptop, since the model is fairly new, and there is just not enough data for an accurate estimation. However, if you are a proud owner of an earlier model version and looking to upgrade, we have some price pointers for you:
- For example, the 2017 Razer Blade Stealth 13.3-inch Intel Core i7 8th Gen. CPU 256GB SSD base configuration yields up to $331 cash offer;
- If you have the newer 10th generation Core i7 Razer Blade Stealth Touchscreen model, expect to gain up to $607, should you choose to sell*.
And finally, for those still holding on to their original 2016 12.5-inch Blade Stealth devices, we have great news: the model still has decent reselling value and will yield you a few dollars in your pocket and a great feeling of being a conscious consumer, knowing that your laptop lives on by being repurposed.
Whether you are looking to sell a laptop, smartphone or simply want to keep track of your used gadget’s current reselling value, Gadget Salvation is a good place to start. We can help you with the valuation in a matter of minutes or give you pointers on how to recycle your old electronics properly. Feel free to shoot us a quick text or email with any questions you might have.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Razer Blade Stealth laptop might not be the best gaming option on the market, but it is certainly the thinnest one, scoring the title of the world’s first gaming ultrabook computer. Luckily, most games currently available on the market are designed to be played in low resolution settings. Of course, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives with similar specifications and performance, but if you adhere to Razer lifestyle, this laptop would be perfect for you.
*Priced on 04/11/2021. Subject to change.
