Razer is out with a new gaming laptop. Released Wednesday, the latest Blade 16 runs back the slab-like look of previous models, but inside has shifted from AMD to Intel. This year's Razer Blade 16 is based on the Core Ultra 9 386H, a 16-core CPU from Intel's latest Panther Lake series. That's the only CPU offered, but for the GPU, you have a choice between an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 or 5090.

Along with the Panther Lake processor comes support for faster memory. The Blade 16 supports up to 64GB of 9,600MHz LPDDR5 RAM -- up from 8,000MHz last year. The memory is soldered to the motherboard, so you can't upgrade it after purchase. You'll need to choose either 32GB or 64GB up front and stick with it. 

However, there's a second M.2 slot for increasing the internal storage. And since the Blade 16's storage options are only 1 or 2 terabytes, gamers with large game libraries or creators who work with large video files might want to add more.

In addition to gaming and content creating, the Blade 16 is well-equipped for AI work. The Core Ultra 9 386H processor features a neural processing unit capable of 50 trillion operations per second, or TOPS, and its integrated GPU supplies another 40 TOPS. For reference, Microsoft set a minimum of 40 NPU TOPS for its Copilot Plus PC platform of AI laptops.

Intel's Panther Lake CPUs thus far have proven to be both impressively powerful and efficient. For example, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI Plus and Dell XPS 14 that I tested turned in great numbers on our application and graphics benchmarks, and incredible battery life. I have no doubt that the new Razer Blade 16 will rip through our benchmarks, but it might also do so while delivering long battery life. Razer estimates the Blade 16 will give you up to 13 hours of productivity use and up to 15 hours of video playback.

Razer Blade 16 display, design and connections

The display remains the same, but Razer says it's a bit brighter. It's a 16-inch OLED with a 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution and 240Hz refresh rate that can now hit a peak brightness up to 1,100 nits in HDR mode. Last year's model topped out at 1,000 nits. The display covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and is Calman Verified with custom-calibrated color profiles. I think the 2.5K resolution is perfect for the size. And if you want a 4K OLED, you can get it with the bigger Blade 18.

The new Blade 16 offers the latest in connectivity, starting with a Thunderbolt 5 port. (The other USB-C port is Thunderbolt 4, and there's also a USB-A for connecting a mouse or an older USB device.) In addition, the Blade 16 features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

I love the understated, unibody design of the Blade 16 and am happy to see it continue with this year's update. It's precision‑milled from a single block of T6‑grade aluminum and features a matte-black anodized finish with a fingerprint‑resistant coating. Add in the per-key RGB lighting and the green Razer logo on the lid, and you have yourself one good-looking gaming laptop.

Razer Blade 16 pricing

This much power and beauty doesn't come cheap, especially with the global RAM shortage driving up laptop prices.

This year's Blade 16 starts at $3,500 for RTX 5080 graphics, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

For $4,500, the Blade 16 comes with an RTX 5090, 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

I'll test the higher-end model as soon as I get it from Razer. Look for a full review of the Razer Blade 16 soon.