Razer Blade Stealth line is known for its compact, sharp design and superior performance. It was first introduced in 2016 and immediately won a “Best of CES 2016” award. The brand initially started with 12.5-inch Stealth devices, which eventually transitioned to 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 an improved gaming experience, yet it doesn’t impact the laptop’s portability.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the latest Razer Blade Stealth 2020 lineup. If you’re 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 ago.
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 | Price: more expensive than the comparable brands, like the Dell XPS 13 series |
| 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, the Razer Blade Stealth series received an upgrade to an 11th-generation Intel Core i processor. Tiger Lake quad-core low-power CPU is ideal for thin and light laptops, like this one. The Intel Core i7-1165G7 runs at a base speed of 2.8GHz and an overclocked speed of 4.7GHz.
As with its 2020 predecessor, the 2020 Razer Blade Stealth model comes with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q graphics, 4GB of VRAM, and no other options are currently available. And, of course, this is a dual-graphics model, featuring 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, the Razer Blade 15 would be a much better choice, as the series offers several GeForce RTX graphics options, including the latest RTX 3000-series 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 many of us might think that adding 32GB of RAM to a 2021 laptop would be an expected and logical move, 16GB is still sufficient for all you plan 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 have 13.3-inch screens, as noted above, and all are FHD panels with a 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 lowering 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 an excellent 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 a precision glass touchpad, a single-zone RGB Razer Chroma programmable keyboard, and advanced 7.1 surround sound. The base model currently retails for $1559.99 plus tax, after a 6% online discount. Razer markets its Blade Stealth model as the world’s first gaming ultrabook.
It is also worth mentioning that the brand cultivates a 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 resale value of a used late-2020 Razer Blade Stealth laptop, since the model is fairly new and there isn’t enough data for an accurate estimate. However, if you are a proud owner of an earlier model version and are looking to upgrade, we have some price pointers for you:
- For example, the 2017 Razer Blade Stealth, with a 13.3-inch Intel Core i7 8th-generation processor and 256GB SSD, yields up to a $331 cash offer*.
- If you have the newer 10th-generation Core i7 Razer Blade Stealth touchscreen model, you can expect to sell it for up to $607*.
Whether you’re looking to sell a used laptop, smartphone, or just want to keep track of your used gadget’s current resale price, Gadget Salvation is a great place to start. We can help you with the valuation in a matter of seconds 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 may not be the best gaming option on the market, but it is certainly the thinnest, earning 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 the Razer lifestyle, this laptop would be perfect for you.
*Priced on 04/11/2021. Subject to change.