Razer Blade 15 Base Model (Mid 2021)

Razer Blade 15 Base Model (Mid 2021)

The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 (part of the Razer Blade 15-18 family) represents a major performance step up over last year's model. It is tailored for gamers who want an understated, refined look, as well as multimedia designers who are frequently on the go.

Design - Still Stunning

The laptop retains the design language introduced in 2018, featuring a squared-off profile with softly rounded edges. Razer keeps its signature all-black unibody aluminum build and illuminated triple-headed snake logo. The display stays at 15.6 inches, but comes with several notable changes.

The slim bezels continue the Infinity Edge style with clean, attractive lines. A sturdy, full-width horizontal unibody hinge remains a hallmark of high-performance ultrabooks, delivering solid stability while maximizing heat dissipation.

For now, the Quartz Pink and Mercury White colorways from last year have not been released, though Razer will likely introduce them soon.

Powerful Performance

Razer quickly updated its gaming laptop lineup with new processors. The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 runs on an 11th Gen Core i7 11800H processor with standout processing power, smoothly handling workloads from coding and 4K footage rendering to 3D scene rendering.

Backing up that serious computing power, the Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 features new graphics options built on Nvidia's Turing architecture. That gives you plenty of headroom to play the latest AAA titles as well as tackle graphics work comfortably.

Like previous Base iterations, however, this model sees few changes to its cooling system, so it cannot tap into the full performance headroom available on the Advanced model.

Easy Hardware Upgrades

The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 still provides solid upgradeability, featuring two DDR4 RAM slots supporting up to 64GB with speeds pushed to 3200MHz-ideal for heavy graphics work. Storage expandability is just as generous, with two NVMe SSD slots supporting up to 2TB per slot, speeding up file access while keeping drive weight down significantly.

Display

The Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 sports a Full HD IPS display panel with very good color coverage at 95% sRGB and 60% AdobeRGB. Razer has also bumped this panel to a 144Hz refresh rate, significantly higher than on the previous Base model.

Additionally, the Mid 2021 Base model adds a 4K 60Hz display option optimized for graphic design. For gamers, though, the 144Hz Full HD screen already delivers an excellent experience.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on this Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 shows little change from its predecessor. Key travel remains shallow and keystrokes feel somewhat light; the backlighting is solid, though it is not per-key RGB. Two matching Fn keys are positioned on either side, making it easy to access function shortcuts and in-game macros.

Razer's touchpad earns praise from most users, especially on the Razer Blade 15 line. The spacious surface is topped with smooth glass for an improved user experience. Built-in Windows Precision drivers deliver fast, responsive tracking and gestures, paired with responsive click buttons that provide crisp feedback.

Ports and Connectivity

The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 comes equipped with a versatile port selection. The left side houses an RJ-45 port, a USB Type-A 3.1 Gen 1 port, a standard USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The right side features two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 3 support. Razer appears to be moving forward by phasing out older connectors like mini DisplayPort across its laptop lineup.

Browse more models in the Razer laptops category. If you are comparing options, also see the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model (2021) and the Razer Blade 15 - Advanced Model (2022).

Is the Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 a Worthwhile Upgrade?

With its refined design, premium unibody materials, robust build, and broad selection of configurations, the Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 confidently stands up to heavyweights like the MSI GS66 or even the Dell Alienware M15 R3 as a very capable gaming ultrabook today. The main sticking point for buyers remains its high price tag, especially since real-world performance is not dramatically different from earlier Base editions.