The new Razer Blade 2017 has an improved CPU, faster memory and a new variant with 4K UHD touchscreen display.

The new Razer Blade 2017 has an improved CPU, faster memory and a new variant with 4K UHD touchscreen display. Razer

Razer has launched the 14-inch Razer Blade 2017 gaming laptop. The latest version of the Blade has an improved CPU, faster memory and a new variant that sports a 4K UHD touchscreen display.

More powerful and more efficient than last year’s model, Razer beefed up the new Blade with the latest 7th gen Intel Core i7 quad-core processor. According to the American gaming company, the new Razer Blade’s CPU achieves double-digit boosts in productivity benchmarks. It’s also paired with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 video card to provide the best frames rates possible.

The Razer Blade 2017 is ultra-thin and lightweight. It’s only 0.7 inches thin and weighs a little over four pounds in its unibody CNC aluminium chassis. The new 4K UHD touchscreen variant that comes with the standard FHD model is a first for Razer’s 14-inch gaming laptop.

“The Razer Blade sets the benchmark for performance in thin laptops,” says Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “More users embraced this flagship computer model in 2016 than ever before, and we are excited to make it even more available worldwide this year. Beyond gaming, it has been really gratifying to see people enjoying the power and portability of the Blade for video editing, music creation and software development.”

The new Razer Blade is backed by a 16 GB DDR4 dual-channel RAM running at 2,400 MHz, Killer Wireless-AC networking, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and PCIe SSD storage options up to 1 TB. Razer’s new gaming laptop also furnishes three USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo port, a 2 MP webcam and a Razer Chroma-powered anti-ghosting keyboard.

The Razer Blade 2017 standard FHD model is now available for purchase in the US for US$1,899, in Canada for C$2,749, in the UK for £1,799, and in Germany and France for €2,149. While it’s currently being offered only at Razer’s official online store, it’s set to hit select retail shops on Feb. 20.

Australia and the rest of the world will have to wait until March for its release. Australian pricing is also currently not available. The 4K UHD touchscreen variant is set for a second quarter release.

WATCH: The new Razer Blade 2017 gaming laptop

New Razer Blade 2017 specs and features

Intel Core i7-7700HQ Quad-Core Processor (2.8 GHz / 3.8 GHz)

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB GDDR5 VRAM)

16 GB System Memory (DDR4, 2,400 MHz)

Windows 10 64-Bit

256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB SSD (PCIe M.2) options

14-inch IPS FHD Matte (1920 x 1080) / 14-inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) capacitive multi-touch options

Anti-ghosting keyboard with per-key lighting powered by Razer Chroma

Killer Wireless-AC 1535 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth 4.1)

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)

USB 3.0 port x3 (SuperSpeed)

HDMI 2.0 video and audio output

3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo port

Built-in webcam (2.0 MP)

Built-in stereo speakers

Array microphone

Dolby Digital Plus Home Theatre Edition

7.1 Codec support (via HDMI)

Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) security chip embedded

Razer Synapse enabled with programmable keyboard, trackpad, backlighting and fan control

Kensington security slot

Compact 165 W power adapter

Built-in 70 Wh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery

Approx. size: 0.70 in. / 17.9 mm (Height) x 13.6 in. / 345 mm (Width) x 9.3 in. / 235 mm (Depth)

Approx. weight (FHD): 4.10 lbs. / 1.86 kg

Approx. weight (UHD): 4.30 lbs. / 1.95 kg

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