Razer Blade 15 Base Model (Mid 2021)

Razer Blade 15 Base Model (Mid 2021)

Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 is a major performance upgrade compared to last year's version. This machine is aimed at gaming enthusiasts who need an elegant and sophisticated device, as well as multimedia designers or those who travel frequently.

Design - Still Stunning

The machine maintains the design style from 2018, with a boxy frame but slightly rounded edges. It continues the tradition of using a solid black aluminum chassis paired with the signature glowing triple-headed snake logo. The screen remains 15.6 inches, but there are many changes.

The screen bezels are still slim in the Infinity Edge style, featuring incredibly attractive lines. The seamless, horizontal hinge remains a hallmark of high-performance Ultrabooks, providing sturdiness and maximizing heat dissipation.

Currently, the machine has not released the Quartz Pink and Mercury White versions like last year, but Razer will likely release those versions soon.

Powerful Performance

Razer has quickly equipped its product line with the latest 10th generation Intel processors for its gaming laptop series. Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 uses the 11th Gen Core i7 11800H CPU with outstanding performance, helping users smoothly handle various tasks from programming, rendering 4K footage, to rendering 3D scenes.

In addition to the powerful "brain," the Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 is also equipped with the latest graphics card options featuring Turing architecture from Nvidia. Thanks to this, users can freely play the latest AAA titles and comfortably perform graphic design work.

However, as with the previous Base version, this version does not have many changes to the cooling system, so it cannot utilize its full performance like the Advanced version.

Easy Hardware Upgrades

The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 still offers good upgradeability, with 2 DDR4 RAM slots supporting up to 64GB, with speeds boosted to 3200MHz, suitable for those who frequently do graphic design. Additionally, the machine offers excellent storage upgradeability with 2 NVMe SSD slots supporting up to 2TB per slot, helping the machine access files faster and significantly reducing the weight of the storage.

Display

The Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 uses a Full HD IPS screen with excellent color coverage, 95% sRGB with 60% AdobeRGB. Additionally, Razer has upgraded this screen to a 144Hz refresh rate, much higher than the previous Base version.

Furthermore, the Mid 2021 Base version also offers a 4K 60Hz screen option, optimized for graphic design. But for gamers, the Full HD screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is already excellent.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on this Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 version does not have a major difference from its predecessor. It has shallow key travel and a non-tactile feel; the LED system is still very good, though it is not Per-key RGB. Two Fn keys are placed symmetrically on both sides, providing convenience when using function keys as well as Macro keys while gaming.

The Razer trackpad is highly rated by most users, especially on the Razer Blade 15 line. The trackpad surface is wide and coated with a smooth glass layer, enhancing the user experience. Additionally, the trackpad features integrated Windows Precision, making gestures and operations highly responsive. The two mouse buttons are sensitive and provide good feedback.

Connectivity Ports

The Razer Blade 15 Base Mid 2021 is equipped with a variety of connectivity ports, with the left side featuring an RJ-45 port, USB Type A 3.1 Gen 1, a standard USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2, and a 3.5mm jack; while the right side has 2 USB Type A ports, 1 HDMI 2.0 port, and a USB Type C port supporting Thunderbolt 3. It seems Razer is also evolving by removing legacy ports like mini Displayport from their laptop devices.

Is the Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 a worthwhile upgrade?

With sophisticated design, high-quality and sturdy materials, along with a rich configuration, the Razer Blade 15 Base Model Mid 2021 confidently outperforms heavyweights like the MSI GS 66 or even the Dell Alienware M15r3 to become one of the most powerful gaming Ultrabooks today. The factor that might make users hesitate is the high price, even though the performance is not significantly different from previous Base versions.