It's a shame they went with the MX150 instead of a full-fat H-series processor. The MX150 isn't much better than the iGPU and putting those watts towards the CPU would have yielded better results when attached to an external GPU (which is how the Stealth is being positioned). I would say the lowest spec is the most compelling but it's hamstrung by 8GB of RAM that is likely soldered (although I could be wrong).
Speaking from experience, you can play a whoooole bunch of games in 1080p at moderate-to-high details with graphics of that calibre. It will run literally anything out there, So yeah, it's useful!
Aside from the GPU power, having dedicated video RAM is beneficial in many scenarios. You can make use of that 4 GB VRAM and, thus, you won't have to share the system memory for the iGPU.
I'd be willing to bet that >95% of all Blade Stealth buyers use them standalone and don't own an eGPU - they're simply too expensive. As such, getting a GPU into an ultrabook is the right thing to prioritize, as it underscores Razer's gaming heritage and fills a void in the laptop market. Sure, H-series thin-and-light would also have filled a void, but one that would be largely useless outside of quite specific niches.
Even in that case, having a more powerful processor beats having a GPU that is so anemic as to be functionally worthless. In fact, if you're talking about non-gaming uses (which is far from "quite specific niches.") it makes much more sense.
I would assume that Razer put the GP108 in it. Then again, I also assumed Razer would have put a dGPU in the Stealth before now seeing as how a machine without one didn't make much sense in their lineup.
The Stealth is designed specifically for use with their Razer Core. It's designed to be an Ultrabook that can go anywhere and last all day, but be able to come home to the Razer Core and a monitor and turn it into a gaming machine.
Razer Core is pretty cool to have with such a device - kind of expensive - but I believe it could turn my XPS 15 2in1 into desktop gaming performance that is actually NVidia and that would help with some of graphics compatibilities issues - a Quadro card would be perfection since the problems are mostly with professional 3d graphics applications
Nvidia SW support is terrible (at least at linux, no idea about other OSs) so it makes no sense for me to have it at a computer (I don't do deep learning that is probably the only good reason for it right now).
No, it doesn't. The iPad Pro's sustained performance is a large drop from peak, and at peak it compares well with the *slower* version of this GPU - at lower precisions and with a more limited range of software. The GPU in this device is much more capable (with more RAM!), albeit at a lower performance per watt.
Vega 8 is about about 15% slower than MX150 from the few benchmarks I can find.
Probably a combination of that and not wanting to put R&D resources into a new system board design for Ryzen when they already have an Intel + Nvidia design proved out.
Not only that, I bought a Ryzen laptop (E485). AMD is still playing the blame game when it comes to driver support. No way I will ever buy another AMD laptop, ever again. Running to Linux is of limited help, too. AMD dropped the ball in mobile.
Nvidia stepped up to the plate when Fermi was burning, and their laptop OEMs needed the most support. They started trialing direct notebook drivers (afaik, it was named Verde), and direct Nvidia support is so commonplace as to be expected for laptops. Even out-there eGPU products like Lenovo's TB3 Graphics dock with an integrated GTX1050, got direct driver support (I know because I use one everyday with my X1 Carbon 6).
Now that AMD has an unique advantage in the notebook space, what do they do? Withdraw OEM support and start blaming laptop vendors for not updating drivers. Yes, AMD used to provide direct driver support for their laptops in the Bulldozer APU era. Now that AMD has tasted a tiny bit of success with Ryzen, what do we laptop users get? Nothing but hot air from AMD. It could have been worse. A friend bought an Acer laptop with AMD Ryzen + RX560 graphics. Even less support, especially if he wanted the dedicated GPU to work. What a joke. This is now the second time I have been burned by buying an AMD laptop. There will never, ever, ever be a third.
As much as I want to like the Stealth line of laptops, Razer dropped the ball with ne new Core X eGPU dock, no more Lan or USB on the Core X, totally stupid especially when the new Stealth 13 doesn't have a Lan port either.
When I am at my home, my desk, I want to most performance and comfort. That includes only plugging the TB3 from the Laptop into the eGPU for charging and ANY peripheral or FAST network connection I have at home. 2 USB A and 1 USB C after plugging in the charger/eGPU don't cut it, I want it to just add that 1Gbit Lan, my keyboard, mouse, gamepad and whatever more peripherals, I don't want to plug in a USB hub and the eGPU, that's just something it did in the past.
I don't understand Razer's engineering decision with the Core X.
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27 Comments
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Flunk - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
It's a shame they went with the MX150 instead of a full-fat H-series processor. The MX150 isn't much better than the iGPU and putting those watts towards the CPU would have yielded better results when attached to an external GPU (which is how the Stealth is being positioned). I would say the lowest spec is the most compelling but it's hamstrung by 8GB of RAM that is likely soldered (although I could be wrong).cbpenn18 - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
On the spec page the RAM does show to be "fixed" for all variants. Thankfully, the SSDs look to be upgradeable.DabuXian - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
MX150 is about 3 times faster than the Intel's 620 iGPU. Wouldn't say it "isn't much better".Morawka - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
3x faster than last years turtle graphics.... yay!Spunjji - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Speaking from experience, you can play a whoooole bunch of games in 1080p at moderate-to-high details with graphics of that calibre. It will run literally anything out there, So yeah, it's useful!aeronatis - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Aside from the GPU power, having dedicated video RAM is beneficial in many scenarios. You can make use of that 4 GB VRAM and, thus, you won't have to share the system memory for the iGPU.Valantar - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
I'd be willing to bet that >95% of all Blade Stealth buyers use them standalone and don't own an eGPU - they're simply too expensive. As such, getting a GPU into an ultrabook is the right thing to prioritize, as it underscores Razer's gaming heritage and fills a void in the laptop market. Sure, H-series thin-and-light would also have filled a void, but one that would be largely useless outside of quite specific niches.Fluffywings - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
@valantar Agreed. The Stealth is going for light and portable and they achieved that with one of the highest specs available in that volume.Flunk - Saturday, December 8, 2018 - link
Even in that case, having a more powerful processor beats having a GPU that is so anemic as to be functionally worthless. In fact, if you're talking about non-gaming uses (which is far from "quite specific niches.") it makes much more sense.cbpenn18 - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
Any way to find out if which part this MX150 is, GP108 or GP108M?For reference: https://www.anandtech.com/show/12565/nvidia-silent...
I would assume that Razer put the GP108 in it. Then again, I also assumed Razer would have put a dGPU in the Stealth before now seeing as how a machine without one didn't make much sense in their lineup.
keebs63 - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
The Stealth is designed specifically for use with their Razer Core. It's designed to be an Ultrabook that can go anywhere and last all day, but be able to come home to the Razer Core and a monitor and turn it into a gaming machine.HStewart - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
Razer Core is pretty cool to have with such a device - kind of expensive - but I believe it could turn my XPS 15 2in1 into desktop gaming performance that is actually NVidia and that would help with some of graphics compatibilities issues - a Quadro card would be perfection since the problems are mostly with professional 3d graphics applicationsMeaker10 - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
TDP is the give away. 25w is the high power version.p1esk - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
So for the $1,399 model they decreased resolution, decreased memory, and made it almost 2mm thicker? Got it.Tchamber - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
That was last years model. They offering better choices now.Tchamber - Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - link
Oops, I read that wrong.satai - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
SKU with 16GB RAM and without the damn Nvidia could be a nice laptop :-/roc1 - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Not as nice as the one with the Nvidia :-)I bought a similarly specced Asus for my brother. He uses it for study and having fortnite using the dGPU. Definitely more versatile this way.
satai - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Nvidia SW support is terrible (at least at linux, no idea about other OSs) so it makes no sense for me to have it at a computer (I don't do deep learning that is probably the only good reason for it right now).A5 - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
If you want a Linux laptop you're probably better off with Dell or HP.darkich - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
iPad Pro has MUCH better GPU than this newest and latest Razer Blade..think about that for a minute.Spunjji - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
No, it doesn't. The iPad Pro's sustained performance is a large drop from peak, and at peak it compares well with the *slower* version of this GPU - at lower precisions and with a more limited range of software. The GPU in this device is much more capable (with more RAM!), albeit at a lower performance per watt.isthisavailable - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Can someone explain why these U series CPU + MX150 laptops are not replaced by Ryzen 5 laptops already?A5 - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
Vega 8 is about about 15% slower than MX150 from the few benchmarks I can find.Probably a combination of that and not wanting to put R&D resources into a new system board design for Ryzen when they already have an Intel + Nvidia design proved out.
jeremyshaw - Thursday, December 6, 2018 - link
Not only that, I bought a Ryzen laptop (E485). AMD is still playing the blame game when it comes to driver support. No way I will ever buy another AMD laptop, ever again. Running to Linux is of limited help, too. AMD dropped the ball in mobile.Nvidia stepped up to the plate when Fermi was burning, and their laptop OEMs needed the most support. They started trialing direct notebook drivers (afaik, it was named Verde), and direct Nvidia support is so commonplace as to be expected for laptops. Even out-there eGPU products like Lenovo's TB3 Graphics dock with an integrated GTX1050, got direct driver support (I know because I use one everyday with my X1 Carbon 6).
Now that AMD has an unique advantage in the notebook space, what do they do? Withdraw OEM support and start blaming laptop vendors for not updating drivers. Yes, AMD used to provide direct driver support for their laptops in the Bulldozer APU era. Now that AMD has tasted a tiny bit of success with Ryzen, what do we laptop users get? Nothing but hot air from AMD. It could have been worse. A friend bought an Acer laptop with AMD Ryzen + RX560 graphics. Even less support, especially if he wanted the dedicated GPU to work. What a joke. This is now the second time I have been burned by buying an AMD laptop. There will never, ever, ever be a third.
Dug - Wednesday, December 5, 2018 - link
I really like their plain design. Nice and simple.And has all the ports!
koaschten - Tuesday, December 18, 2018 - link
As much as I want to like the Stealth line of laptops, Razer dropped the ball with ne new Core X eGPU dock, no more Lan or USB on the Core X, totally stupid especially when the new Stealth 13 doesn't have a Lan port either.When I am at my home, my desk, I want to most performance and comfort. That includes only plugging the TB3 from the Laptop into the eGPU for charging and ANY peripheral or FAST network connection I have at home. 2 USB A and 1 USB C after plugging in the charger/eGPU don't cut it, I want it to just add that 1Gbit Lan, my keyboard, mouse, gamepad and whatever more peripherals, I don't want to plug in a USB hub and the eGPU, that's just something it did in the past.
I don't understand Razer's engineering decision with the Core X.