Razer Blade 15 2018 H2: The Complete In-Depth Review for Gamers and Creators

razer blade 15 2018 h2

The razer blade 15 2018 h2 remains a fascinating laptop for gamers and creative professionals—even years after its release. Introduced as part of Razer’s celebrated Blade series, this model delivered a unique blend of portability, premium design, and powerful hardware at a time when slim gaming laptops were still rare.

Despite newer generations now available, the razer blade 15 2018 h2 continues to attract enthusiasts looking for a balanced machine that can handle both intense gaming sessions and demanding creative workloads. Let’s dive deep into every aspect of this laptop to help you decide whether it still deserves a spot on your desk or in your backpack.

Design and Build Quality

Razer has always been known for sleek, minimalist design, and the razer blade 15 2018 h2 exemplifies that philosophy. The CNC-milled aluminum chassis gives it a premium, MacBook-like appearance while maintaining a professional look that fits in a boardroom as easily as a LAN party.

At just around 17 mm thick and weighing roughly 2.05 kg (4.5 lbs), it was one of the slimmest 15-inch gaming laptops of its era. The black anodized finish, green Razer logo, and sharp edges create a bold yet refined aesthetic. Build quality is excellent with minimal flex in the keyboard deck or lid, reinforcing its reputation as a durable travel companion.

Display Options and Visual Experience

One of the key selling points of the razer blade 15 2018 h2 is its display variety. Buyers could choose between:

  • Full HD (1920×1080) 60 Hz panel for base configurations
  • Full HD 144 Hz panel for smoother gameplay and reduced motion blur
  • 4K UHD (3840×2160) touch display for creators who value higher resolution and color accuracy

The thin bezels around the 15.6-inch screen enhance immersion and give the laptop a modern look. The 144 Hz option, in particular, provides a noticeably fluid experience for fast-paced titles like Overwatch or CS:GO.

Performance: CPU and GPU Power

Under the hood, the razer blade 15 2018 h2 packs a 6-core Intel Core i7-8750H processor. With a base clock of 2.2 GHz and turbo boost up to 4.1 GHz, this CPU handles multitasking, video editing, and gaming with ease.

Graphics options include:

  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q

These GPUs were high-end choices in 2018 and still deliver respectable 1080p performance in modern games when settings are tuned appropriately. Paired with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable to 32 GB) and fast NVMe SSD storage, the laptop offers a smooth, responsive experience for both gaming and professional tasks.

Thermals and Cooling

Slim gaming laptops often struggle with heat, and the razer blade 15 2018 h2 is no exception. Razer implemented a vapor-chamber cooling system designed to dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional heat pipes.

In real-world use, the laptop remains cool enough for everyday tasks, but under heavy gaming or rendering workloads, fans become noticeably loud. Proper ventilation and a cooling pad can help maintain performance and avoid thermal throttling during extended sessions.

Battery Life and Portability

For a gaming laptop of its class, the razer blade 15 2018 h2 delivers decent battery life. Its 80 Wh battery can last about 5–6 hours of mixed use—web browsing, video playback, and light productivity. Gaming on battery drastically reduces runtime to around 1–2 hours, which is typical for machines with dedicated GPUs.

Thanks to its lightweight design and solid construction, this laptop remains a practical option for students, digital nomads, or professionals who need power on the go.

Connectivity and Ports

The razer blade 15 2018 h2 offers a generous selection of ports for a slim notebook:

  • Three USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports
  • USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 (Advanced model)
  • HDMI 2.0
  • Mini DisplayPort 1.4
  • 3.5 mm audio jack

This combination supports multiple external displays, fast data transfer, and a wide range of peripherals—perfect for both gaming setups and creative workstations.

Upgradability and Maintenance

Unlike many ultrathin laptops, the razer blade 15 2018 h2 allows some user upgrades. You can expand the RAM up to 32 GB and replace or upgrade the NVMe SSD for more storage.

Base models even include a 2.5-inch SATA bay, allowing an additional drive for those who need extra capacity without sacrificing speed.

Real-World Usage: Gaming, Content Creation, and Productivity

Gaming

In 1080p gaming, the razer blade 15 2018 h2 handles popular titles such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and The Witcher 3 at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The GTX 1070 Max-Q version provides a noticeable boost for demanding AAA games.

Content Creation

The six-core CPU and color-accurate display options make this laptop a capable tool for video editing, 3D modeling, and graphic design. Applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop run smoothly, especially when paired with 32 GB of RAM.

Everyday Productivity

Whether you’re writing documents, managing spreadsheets, or attending video calls, the laptop’s keyboard, trackpad, and sharp display make it a pleasure to use for daily tasks.

Pros and Cons of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2

Pros

  • Premium aluminum build with a slim, lightweight design
  • Strong CPU/GPU performance for gaming and creative work
  • Excellent 144 Hz and 4K display options
  • Upgradeable RAM and storage
  • Thunderbolt 3 support on Advanced models

Cons

  • Runs hot and fans can get loud during gaming
  • Battery life is average compared to ultrabooks
  • Lacks modern GPU features like ray tracing and DLSS

Is the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 Worth Buying in 2025?

If you can find the razer blade 15 2018 h2 at a good price, it remains a viable choice for gamers and professionals who value portability and premium build quality. While it lacks newer GPU features and its battery life won’t rival modern ultrabooks, its robust CPU performance and upgradeable components still hold up for 1080p gaming and creative workloads.

However, if ray tracing, long battery life, or cutting-edge performance are top priorities, you might consider newer Razer Blade models with RTX GPUs and improved thermal management.

FAQ

Q1: Can I upgrade the RAM on the razer blade 15 2018 h2?
Yes, the laptop supports up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory, though both slots may be occupied in some configurations.

Q2: Does the razer blade 15 2018 h2 support Thunderbolt 3?
Yes, the Advanced model includes a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port, while the Base model may not.

Q3: How long does the battery last during gaming?
Expect about 1–2 hours of gaming on battery. Plugging in is recommended for full performance.

Q4: Is the 4K display option good for content creation?
Absolutely. The 4K panel offers high resolution and good color accuracy, ideal for photo and video editing.

Q5: Can the razer blade 15 2018 h2 run modern AAA games?
Yes, it can run most modern games at 1080p with medium to high settings, though it lacks newer RTX features.

Conclusion

The razer blade 15 2018 h2 stands as a landmark in Razer’s lineup, proving that a gaming laptop can be both powerful and portable without sacrificing design or build quality. Even years after its release, it continues to deliver strong performance for gamers, students, and creative professionals who appreciate its premium craftsmanship and versatile feature set.

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Mark Spaeny