The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 remains one of the most memorable gaming laptops from Razer’s lineup. Launched during a time when slim gaming laptops were just becoming mainstream, the 2018 H2 model played a major role in setting new standards for performance, portability, and premium build quality. Even years later, this laptop still attracts attention from gamers, creators, and tech enthusiasts who appreciate its efficient design and powerful hardware.
In this comprehensive 1,500-word review, we explore everything about the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2—from design and display quality to performance, thermals, storage, gaming benchmarks, battery life, and long-term usability.
Introduction to the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2
When Razer introduced the Blade 15 series, it aimed to merge strong gaming hardware with a sleek, MacBook-like design. The 2018 H2 version became especially popular due to its balance of power and thin form factor. It was one of the first laptops to show that you could enjoy desktop-level gaming performance without carrying a bulky, heavy machine.
The H2 model featured a 6-core Intel processor, NVIDIA GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics, a 144 Hz display, and a clean CNC-milled aluminum chassis—a combination that made it a dream machine for many gamers.
Premium Build Quality and Design
One of the strongest selling points of the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is its exceptional design. Razer built the laptop with a unibody aluminum shell, giving it a clean and sturdy feel. The iconic black finish with a glowing green Razer logo adds a stylish look, appealing to gamers and professionals.
Key Design Features:
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Thin profile (0.66 inches)
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Lightweight at around 2.1 kg
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Sleek, minimalistic look
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Strong and durable aluminum body
Despite being slim, the laptop maintains durability and rigidity. The hinges are smooth, the keyboard deck is solid, and the overall build feels premium, on par with other high-end laptops.
Display: 144 Hz for Smooth Gaming
The laptop features a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, one of the best panels available at that time for gaming.
Display Highlights:
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144 Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay
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Excellent color accuracy
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Thin bezels
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Matte finish reduces glare
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Wide viewing angles
The 144 Hz screen ensures fluid motion while playing fast-paced games like Fortnite, CS:GO, Valorant, or Call of Duty. Colors appear vibrant and accurate, making this laptop equally suitable for video editing and digital content creation.
Performance: Powered by Intel and NVIDIA
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is powered by an Intel Core i7-8750H, a 6-core/12-thread CPU that delivers strong performance for both gaming and multitasking. Paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q GPU, the laptop offers excellent graphical capabilities.
Key Hardware Specs:
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CPU: Intel Core i7-8750H (6 cores, 12 threads)
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GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 Max-Q (8GB GDDR5)
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RAM: 16GB DDR4 (expandable)
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Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
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OS: Windows 10
The Max-Q version of the GTX 1070 is optimized for performance while maintaining better efficiency. Although it’s not as powerful as the desktop version, it still handles AAA games extremely well.
Gaming Performance Benchmarks
Thanks to the combination of a strong CPU and GPU, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 performs admirably in modern titles. During its peak, the laptop delivered excellent frame rates at high settings.
Approximate FPS on High Settings (1080p):
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Fortnite: 120–144 FPS
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CS:GO: 200+ FPS
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GTA V: 85–100 FPS
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 65+ FPS
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PUBG: 80–95 FPS
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Overwatch: 110–140 FPS
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Apex Legends: 80–110 FPS
These numbers show the 2018 H2 can easily handle competitive and AAA games. Even today, it performs well for esports titles and mid-range modern games.
Thermals and Cooling System
Cooling is one of the most important aspects of a gaming laptop, and the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 performs reasonably well due to its vapor chamber cooling system.
Thermal Highlights:
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Vapor chamber cooling for better heat dissipation
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Dual-fan setup
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Improved efficiency compared to traditional heat pipes
However, due to the laptop’s thin chassis, temperatures can get a bit high during intense gaming sessions. The CPU may reach 85–90°C under full load, and the GPU can hover around 75–80°C.
While these temperatures are within safe operating limits, the fans can get loud during demanding tasks.
Keyboard and Trackpad Experience
Razer is known for its keyboard quality, and the Blade 15 2018 H2 maintains that standard.
Keyboard Features:
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Single-zone RGB lighting (Razer Chroma)
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Comfortable key travel
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Solid, responsive keys
For gaming and typing, the keyboard feels great. The trackpad is also one of the best in the industry, featuring a smooth glass surface and precise gesture support.
Speakers and Audio Quality
The built-in speakers deliver decent sound quality, though not exceptional. They are front-facing and loud enough for casual use.
Audio Notes:
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Clear mids
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Average bass
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Good for watching videos and gaming
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Best experience with headphones
For a slim laptop, the audio quality is respectable but not the strongest in its category.
Battery Life: Good for a Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops are not typically known for long-lasting battery life, and the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 is no exception.
Battery Performance:
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80Wh battery
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5–6 hours for normal tasks
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1.5–2 hours while gaming
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Fast charging support
Considering its hardware, this battery performance is acceptable. For productivity, the laptop lasts long enough for typical usage like browsing or streaming.
Ports and Connectivity
The laptop comes with a solid selection of ports:
Available Ports:
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3× USB 3.1 Type-A
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1× USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3
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HDMI 2.0
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Mini DisplayPort 1.4
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3.5mm audio jack
This port variety makes the laptop ideal for connecting external monitors, gaming accessories, and VR headsets.
Upgradability
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 supports light upgrades.
Upgradeable Components:
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RAM (up to 32GB)
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NVMe SSD
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Additional storage slot in some models
This flexibility extends the laptop’s life and improves long-term usability.
Long-Term Usability and Value
Even years after its release, the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 still provides strong performance for gaming, rendering, video editing, and everyday tasks. Its premium build has aged well, and the hardware remains capable enough for the modern gaming landscape.
It is especially valuable for:
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Competitive gaming
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Creative work
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Students
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Professionals wanting a stylish yet powerful laptop
While newer models offer better GPUs and CPUs, the 2018 H2 remains a solid machine if maintained properly.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 stands as one of the most iconic gaming laptops of its generation. With its premium aluminum design, strong performance, 144 Hz display, and portable form factor, it delivered a near-perfect balance of power and style. Although modern laptops surpass it in raw performance, the 2018 H2 still holds its ground as a reliable gaming and productivity machine.
If you’re looking for an elegant, powerful, and durable gaming laptop—even today—the Razer Blade 15 2018 H2 remains an excellent choice.
