The new Razer Blade 16 just hit a record-low price for Prime Day... but I'd rather spend a grand less on an Asus
Jul. 15, 2024Two gaming laptop greats go head to head in Prime Day gaming laptop deals
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It feels like I get my hands on a new gaming laptop nearly every day when I’m testing, so to fall in love with one hurts. These machines are pricey, so they need to be shipped off at the end of a review, and that means I’m often left heartbroken. This has been the case for theRazerBlade 16. I was head over heels for its incredible OLED display and slick form factor earlier in the year, but that $2,999.99 MSRP kept it firmly out of my reach.
If you’re looking to invest in a high-end rig ahead of Prime Day, though, you’re in luck. The Blade 16 has just dropped to a new record-low price at Amazon, hitting$2,599 for the first timefor a full $400 discount. I didn’t expect to see this before the main event, and considering this configuration has only had one price wobble in its life it’s an excellent result.
Still, that’s $2,599 for a machine with specs you’ll easily find for much less. TheAsusROG Zephyrus G16 also packs an OLED screen and RTX 4070 graphics card, but chops an extra $1,000 off the final price. You’re getting that modelfor $1,599.99 right nowat Best Buy, down from $400. The premium build, boosted panel, and more durable design of the Blade 16 make it my favorite on paper, but Asus is really where most players should be looking ahead ofPrime Day gaming laptop deals.
Prime Day’s best gaming laptop deals
Razer Blade 16 16-inch RTX 4070 gaming laptop |$2,999.99$2,599 at AmazonSave $400 -The Razer Blade 16 only started to see small price drops for the first time last month, so this $400 discount the daybeforePrime Day took me by surprise. You’ll find this RTX 4070 configuration at its lowest-ever price at Amazon right now.
Specs:Intel i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4070 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD | 240Hz QHD+ OLED display
Buy it if:
✅ You want to invest in luxury✅ You prioritize display quality✅ You travel with your laptop
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re happy with a cheaper chassis
Price check:Best Buy: $2,914.99
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 16-inch RTX 4070 gaming laptop |$1,999.99$1,599.99 at Best BuySave $400 -While the Razer Blade 16 is the better option on paper, this is the better buy for the majority of players. You’re still splashing some cash on an OLED display and an RTX 4070 GPU, but with a record-low $1,599.99 sale price (one I’ve only seen once before today) this is where most will be looking ahead of Prime Day.
Specs:Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Nvidia RTX 4070 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD | 240Hz QHD+ OLED display
Buy it if:
✅ You have a $2K budget✅ You still want an OLED panel✅ You want a slimline design
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’d rather splurge on extra luxuries
I tested RTX 4090 configurations of both theRazer Blade 16andAsus ROG Zephyrus G16in my bid to find thebest gaming laptop. That means the benchmark results below won’t be indicative of an RTX 4070 configuration like the models listed above, but will demonstrate the difference between the two devices like-for-like.
The Razer Blade 16 sneaks ahead of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16, but not by enough to warrant an extra $1,000 spent for the every day player. While my Returnal benchmarks actually put the Asus in the lead, Razer won it back considerably with a less demanding title like Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The G16 is slightly better at handling the really tough stuff, though Razer is more consistent across the board.
The Razer Blade 16 remains my favorite 16-inch gaming laptop, and I’d still recommend it to those with $3K in their pocket. However, most aren’t going to be swinging that kind of cash this Prime Day, and considering the Zephyrus’s current sale price, the G16 makes more sense for the majority of players.
We’re also rounding up all the latestPrime Day PC dealsahead of the main event, as well as thebest Prime Day gaming dealsoverall. For more portable play, check out thePrime Day Nintendo Switch dealswe’re excited about.
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Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I’ve written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i’m focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
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