One of the main 'criticisms' if you can call it that from the more vocal parts of the PC crowd is that the Razer Blade Pro is way too expensive and you can build a desktop rig for much less. While there may be some truth in that, it does miss the point of what the Blade Pro actually is: a portable high-end gaming PC.
But we're never ones to shy away from science, so let's see just how the pricing stacks up when you compare a Razer Blade Pro to an equivalent desktop PC that you can build yourself.
We're pricing up an entire system here, too, not just the rig. The Razer Blade Pro has a mechanical keyboard, a precision trackpad input device and a 4K G-Sync display, so we'll be throwing equivalent parts into the mix for the desktop system, too. It's not an exact science, but we're getting as close a match as we can.
To recap first on the Blade Pro specs:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700HQ Quad Core 2.6GHz / 3.5 GHz |
| Display | 17.3-inch IGZO UHD G-Sync touchscreen 3840 x 2160 LED |
| Storage | 512GB / 1TB / 2TB SSD |
| RAM | 32GB dual-channel DDR4 2133MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 |
| Keyboard | Anti-ghosting, backlit mechanical keyboard |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Networking | Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless-AC 1535 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) E2400 Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000) |
| Bluetooth | 4.1 |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 3, 3x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0, SDXC reader |
| Audio | Built-in stereo speakers Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater Edition 7.1 codec support (via HDMI) 3.5mm headphone/microphone port Array microphone |
| Webcam | 2.0MP |
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) security chip Kensington security slot |
| Battery | 99Wh lithium-iron polymer battery |
| Weight | 3.54kg (7.8lbs) |
| Dimensions | 22.5mm (H) / 424mm (W) / 281mm (D) |
To build a similar desktop PC we'll need:
- A case
- A motherboard with USB-C Thunderbolt 3
- A power supply
- NVIDIA GTX 1080 GPU
- 32GB 2133MHz DDR4 RAM
- Intel Core i7 6700k processor
- 512GB SSD
- 4K G-Sync display
- Mechanical keyboard
- Mouse
- Windows 10 license - because it isn't free.
If you're building a PC yourself you'll be shopping around to get the price for the parts you want. For consistency we've got prices for each part from Amazon U.S., Razer peripherals where possible and with the comparison based in dollars. Naturally, prices may vary in your part of the world.
But here's what we're looking at for each:
| Component | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Fractal Design Define S (our favorite case) | $99.54 |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 7 | $184.99 |
| PSU | Corsair AX860, 860 Watt | $169.99 |
| NVIDIA GTX 1080 GPU | Zotac Amp! edition (best price) | $580.66 |
| 32GB 2133MHz DDR4 RAM | Corsair Vengeance LPX | $186.99 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 6700k processor with Corsair H115i liquid cooler | $448.92 |
| SSD | Samsung 960 EVO Series 500GB | $269.95 |
| 4K G-Sync display | ASUS ROG Swift 27-inch | $879.99 |
| Mechanical keyboard | Razer Blackwidow Chroma | $135.00 |
| Mouse | Razer Deathadder Elite | $69.00 |
| OS | Windows 10 license | $90.72 |
All that comes to $3,115.75. So yes, you can build a desktop rig that meets the spec of the Razer Blade Pro for less than its asking price of $3,699.99, and by a fairly substantial amount. Further savings can no doubt be applied, and that's the freedom building your own system affords.
But you can't take that system with you wherever you go. Sure, the Blade Pro is large, but it's still a go anywhere PC, which is entirely the point of it. High-end laptops generally command a premium over desktops, that's just the price we have to pay for the convenience of having our computer in our bag.
It doesn't take away from the remarkable piece of engineering that the Razer Blade Pro is.
