Razer Blade (2014), Blade Pro laptops unveiled with new Nvidia GeForce 800M GPUs

The company has announced that the updated 14-inch Razer Blade will be priced at $2,199 (Rs. 1,34,200 approximately) and will be shipping by early April, while the Razer Balde Pro will cost $2,299 (Rs. 1,40,300 approximately) and will start shipping in late March.

Both the new gaming laptops from Razer are powered by Intel's fourth-generation i7-4700HQ processor and are based on Windows 8.1 OS (64-bit). Both laptops feature Razer Anti-Ghosting Keyboard (with adjustable backlight), and the Razer Switchblade User Interface (SBUI) apps, aimed at providing one-click access to program tools, macros, key binds and other customizable functions, as well as full Internet capabilities independent of the main display.

Features of the Razer SBUI include 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys, a cell phone-grade LCD display that doubles as a track pad, and associated proprietary software. The Razer SBUI comes preloaded equipped with programs supporting Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro, Maya, and GIMP. Of the six biggest new Razer SBUI programs, Razer is touting the Windows 8 Charms app that simplifies interface access to Windows Desktop functions, and a Twitch app that unlocks the streaming service's broadcasting and commenting features.

Additionally, Razer unveiled its first electronic dance music (EDM) initiative in the form of an app co-developed with world-renowned EDM producer and performer Afrojack. Razer Blade Pro collaborations include budding partnerships with DJ-producer heavyweights Borgore and Flux Pavilion.

The highlight feature of both the Razer Blade and Razer Blade Pro laptops are the Nvidia's new GeForce 800M line GPUs: the former is backed by the GTX 870M GPU based on 28nm 'Kepler' microarchitecture and coupled with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and the latter comes with the new 28nm 'Maxwell' microarchitecture-based Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M, also coupled with 2GB GDDR5 RAM.

The 14-inch Razer Blade is an upgrade to the company's Blade laptop launched last year and features a 14-inch QHD+ (3200x1800) touchscreen with LED backlight. The company notes that Razer Blade now features IGZO/IPS (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide/In-Plane Switching) display panels. Razer is calling it the "The world's thinnest gaming laptop now features the highest resolution 14" notebook display on the planet", with a thickness of 17.9mm.

Other specifications include a 128GB SSD drive (optional 256/512GB SSD storage); 8GB of RAM (DDR3L); 2-megapixel HD webcam and an Intel HD4600 integrated GPU. Connectivity options on the Razer Blade include USB 3.0 (3x), HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and Wi-Fi. It features a 70Wh rechargeable li-ion polymer battery.

The Razer Blade Pro, on the other hand, features a 17.3-inch full-HD LED-backlit display which offers a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels resolution. Other specifications include a 128GB SSD storage (optional 256/512GB SSD); 16GB of RAM (DDR3L); 2-megapixel HD webcam, and Dolby Digital Plus Home Theatre Edition speakers.

Connectivity ports on the Razer Blade Pro include Wi-Fi, (3x) USB 3.0, HDMI and 3.5mm audio headphone jack. The laptop is 22.4 mm thick, and features a 74Wh rechargeable li-on polymer battery.

The 14-inch Razer Blade weighs 2.03 kilograms, while the 17-inch Razer Blade Pro weighs 2.97 kilograms.

Commenting on the announcement, Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director said, "The Razer Blade sets the benchmark by which all laptops should be measured. The Razer Blade, the world's thinnest and most powerful gaming laptop, now comes with the best 14-inch notebook display on the planet."

"Our engineers packed the Blade Pro with the most advanced components available, and our software engineers designed some incredible proprietary apps to make gaming and creative work more efficient and more fun while staying firm to our commitment to true portability," added Tan.