Razer just unveiled its most powerful gaming laptop yet, the 2024 Razer Blade 18, and it has an exciting new spec that might be more interesting than the laptop itself. As said in January during CES, the new Blade 18 2024 is the first notebook in the world equipped with Thunderbolt 5.

Having the latest version of Thunderbolt means you now get three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4, from 40Gbps to 120Gbps. This should ensure minimal lag when working with multiple high-resolution displays and, in some ways, open up the ability to connect desktop-class GPUs via external docking stations.

External GPUs have fallen out of fashion recently. Intel is hoping to spark a resurgence in popularity since Thunderbolt 5 was announced. Additionally, Intel has hinted that even “external AI accelerators” could be coming in the future, which could bring an extra boost for local AI performance.

The added bandwidth also means you can now power an external monitor with a refresh rate of up to 540Hz.

Beyond Thunderbolt 5, however, there are a host of specification updates across the board for the Razer Blade 18. Razer says it’s the thinnest laptop in its size class powered by Intel’s HX-series processor, specifically the Core i9-14900HX.

The laptop also comes with premium display options. It can be configured with a factory-calibrated 4K (3840×2400) resolution display capable of a 200Hz refresh rate, 3.0ms response time, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, as well as Calman verification. The other option is equally tempting. The Blade 18 will also be available with a QHD+ 300Hz mini-LED option with 1000 nit peak brightness, 2K dimming zones with new on/off capability and similar 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, Calman verification and factory calibration.

Powering the graphics is the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series available from 4070 to 4090 with up to 175W TGP. There is also a new cooling system, with thinner exhaust fins and a vapor chamber system combined with three cooling fans. Specifically, one of the cooling fans is positioned between a unique dual battery. It seems that the manufacturer is taking every possible precaution to avoid battery bloat issues, which has been a constant problem with Razer gaming laptops.

There’s also a 5-megapixel webcam with Windows Hello support, a 6-speaker array with THX surround sound, Wi-Fi 7 and a 330W GaN charger, which is said to be 60% smaller than traditional charging bricks.

In terms of storage and memory, the laptop can be configured with two 2TB NVMe drives and up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM. There’s also a plethora of ports, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB Type-C ports, one of which supports Thunderbolt 5, a 2.5 gig Ethernet port, HDMI 2.1 and a UHS-II SD card reader.

The new Razer Blade 18 is available for purchase from the company’s online store. The . However, the 4K 200Hz display isn’t currently available, but the highest configuration is listed for $4,800.

The Razer Blade 18 may be one of the first to debut Thunderbolt 5, but it won’t be the last. We’ll have to wait and see if the broader shift to the new port standard will lead to an embrace of external GPUs, as Intel hopes.

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