
Razer's super power gaming laptop might be the do-everything device I've been waiting for
But Razer's all-new Razer Blade 14 is a 14-inch gaming laptop that's crammed into the chassis of something you'd expect to find in a coffee shop next to someone editing spreadsheets. In fact, it's almost the same weight and thickness as the latest MacBook Pro devices, but with more GPU muscle under the hood.
At 15.7mm thick and weighing 1.63kg, the Blade 14 is not only Razer's slimmest 14-incher to date. This thing isn't just thin, it's carrying an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU and AMD's shiny new Ryzen AI 9 365 chip. That's more than enough to crunch through your game library and handle any productivity task on the side. Of course, it comes with AI chops as well. We're talking up to 50 TOPS of AI processing power, which is quite a lot for something of this size.
The Razer Blade 14 has a 3K OLED display that doesn't have to beg for your attention. It's fast, vibrant, and G-SYNC-enabled for those who hate screen tearing. Between the 120Hz refresh rate and a snappy 0.2 ms response time, you'll see everything with precision. There's also an upgraded cooling set-up with a 'Thermal Hood' design, which sounds like it belongs on a Formula 1 car, if you ask me. The battery's had some love too – it's a 72WHr cell promising up to 11 hours of use. It's a nice nod to those who might be tempted to use this as an all-rounder laptop.
Connectivity is fully covered. You're getting USB Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and even a MicroSD card reader for the creators in the crowd. The keyboard is fully RGB-customisable with Razer Chroma, because obviously it is. The whole thing is wrapped in anodised aluminium with a sand-blasted finish, so it looks slick and doesn't immediately smudge.
If you're not feeling the 14-incher, Razer's also given the Blade 16 a little update, now with an RTX 5060 GPU. Same AMD Ryzen AI processor inside, same OLED screen, just a bigger canvas and more breathing room.
The Blade 14 is available now at $2300/£2000 directly from Razer in the US, UK, and EU. The new Blade 16 configuration lands at $2400/£2100, and you'll find it in the same places.

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Stuff.tv
10-07-2025
- Stuff.tv
Here's why the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro is the ultimate evolution of my favourite ever gaming mouse
Stuff Verdict An absolute titan of PC gaming is back and better than ever. The Deathadder Pro V4 is precise, long-lasting, and form-fitting, making it the new wireless mouse to beat. Pros Superbly comfortable to grip, and now even lighter Outstanding accuracy, click response and wireless connectivity Seriously long-lasting battery Cons Pricey No Bluetooth or dongle storage for travelling Hunting for a gaming mouse that perfectly matches your grip can feel like a wild goose chase, so when one finally fits you tend to stick with it. It's why I literally played the original Razer Deathadder to destruction during my University years, and struggled to find an alternative that felt as comfortable to pair with my gaming laptop ever since. The esports-grade rodent has gone through multiple iterations since then, and this latest might be the best of the bunch. Razer has updated the fan favourite with all-new internals, a longer lasting battery, and uprated wireless tech that promises speed and stability in equal measure. The Deathadder V4 Pro is also lighter and more wear-resistant, without altering that all-important shape. At $170/£170 it's a serious investment, sure – but the across-the-board improvements and unbeatable ergonomics could rocket it to the top of your PC hardware wish list. How we test gaming hardware All games consoles and gaming hardware tested on Stuff are put through their paces with days' worth of play time. We use our years of testing experience to judge areas such as build quality, software experience, battery life and other features. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: similar but different The Deathadder has been honed over multiple generations now, so it's no surprise that Razer kept the ergonomic shape largely unchanged for the V4 Pro. Owners of the old ones – myself included – are vocal about how they feel moulded to their grip in ways other gaming mice simply can't match, and changing that would've been sacrilege. That's not to say things haven't been tweaked here and there, though. The body is now made from 90% post-consumer recycled plastic, with stiffer sidewalls to help boost rigidity. Despite the heavier materials, Razer has re-engineered the internals to bring the overall weight down to just 56g. That's 7g less than the Deathadder V3 Pro, and a gram less than Logitech's G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX. Factor in the larger feet on the underside and this mouse simply glides across desk. I'm also a big fan of how the two side buttons have been further separated from the previous-gen model, to help cut down on misclicks. It definitely proved effective in my testing, with no accidentally lobbed grenades when I meant to use a healing item in Cyberpunk 2077. You can pick one up in black or white; sadly Razer isn't letting normies get their hands on the camouflage pattern seen when Counter-Strike 2 player NiKo used a V4 Pro prototype at the PGL Bucharest 2025 major event earlier this year. Features & battery life: speed demon Most of the big changes are underneath, with new Hyperspeed Wireless Gen-2 connectivity taking pride of place. At an 8000Hz maximum polling rate, Razer reckons the Deathadder V4 Pro has an average latency of 0.291ms – a 60% improvement from the previous-gen Deathadder, and more than twice as fast as the quickest competition at the same setting. The bundled dongle then replies to the mouse just as quickly, rather than just a few times per millisecond, for a reliable connection. There was no point during testing I could get it to falter, with consistent movement at all times. The dongle has a spherical design now, along with re-engineered antennae, for a more consistent signal no matter where you place it on your desk. 8000Hz gaming does need it to be within 30cm of the mouse and with line of sight, which is something to think about if you're going for an ultra-minimal desktop look. But otherwise it's as good as being wired directly to your PC. I'm a big fan of the status LEDs on the dongle that show your connection status, battery life and polling rate; you can customise 'em in Razer's Synapse software if you want the lights to mean something different. The way the mouse is smart enough to drop back to 1000Hz when you're not gaming is neat, too; it means battery life doesn't take an unnecessary hit while you're staring at spreadsheets or answering work emails. 8000Hz polling is demanding, sapping the battery in about 22 hours. 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With a fluid but firm ratcheting motion, I also got fantastic consistency and accuracy from scrolling inputs. New 4th-gen optical mouse switches have reduced the actuation force – or how hard to have to press to trigger an input – by 12% compared to the outgoing model, while keeping the oh-so-satisfying click feel. Each one is rated for a whopping 100 million click lifecycle (I'm not even 0.1% of the way to testing that theory) and I simply can't fault how well they register my inputs. Neither would matter if the sensor wasn't much cop, but Razer's second-gen Focus Pro 45K Optical Sensor is a beauty. Sensitive all the way up to a ridiculous 45,000 DPI, able to track acceleration at up to 85G, and consistent tracking as fast as 900 inches per second, it's almost infallible when it comes to translating your hand motion into in-game motion. I had no issues with keeping my cursor locked on demon heads while smashing through Doom: the Dark Ages. There's a level of granular adjustment here that'll please even the most demanding of players. Head into Razer synapse and you can tweak the sensitivity down to 1dpi increments. The DPI switch being on the bottom of the mouse isn't ideal for swapping sensitivity mid-game (unless you have a Razer keyboard with Hyperswitch macros) but dynamic sensitivity can help. It takes some getting used to, but means fast sweeping motions still spin you a full 180-degrees in first person shooters, while at the same time smaller movements stay precise. I've also been experimenting with the mouse rotation setting, which adjusts how the sensor detects orientation for perfect horizontal swipes even if you hold the mouse at an angle. My typical grip angle isn't that extreme (-1.8 degrees according to Razer's testing tool) but after forcing myself to play with the Deathadder seriously rotated, it makes a huge difference. Razer Deathadder V4 Pro verdict The last Deathadder was already an esports superstar – its position on the prosettings usage leaderboard has been unshakeable – but this new one is somehow even more refined. It's impressively light, has herculean staying power, and gaming performance that's simply superb. It seamlessly fits my hand in a way few rivals have ever managed. I like that it doesn't overdose on RGB, and five buttons are all I really need. No Bluetooth isn't a deal-breaker either, given it helps keep the weight so low. If you feel otherwise, demand a left-handed rodent, or prefer a smaller size, I can understand why you might look elsewhere. But for everyone else, this is probably all the gaming mouse you could ever need. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 An absolute titan of PC gaming is back and better than ever. The Deathadder Pro V4 is precise, long-lasting, and form-fitting, making it the new wireless mouse to beat. 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Stuff.tv
30-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
Is Apple about to make a super affordable MacBook? Here's what you need to know
Apple makes some of the best laptops around. The MacBook Air is the complete package for under $1000/£1000. In fact, I'd go as far as calling it on of the best laptops you can buy. In our review, we said 'the MacBook Air is still the everyday laptop to beat.' It scored a full five stars! And the MacBook Pro devices offer the best power from any laptop I've used. But Apple might be turning its attention to a new super affordable model. According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on a new 13-inch MacBook. Rather than the usual M-series chip designed to chew through Logic Pro and external displays, this one would use the A18 Pro – the same chip powering the iPhone 16 Pro. It seems that Apple might be looking to recapture its sales numbers from lockdown, when we all suddenly needed a laptop to work from home. A cheaper machine might be the ticket to bringing the numbers back up to these levels. According to Kuo, Apple wants this thing to move between 5 and 7 million units in 2026, accounting for up to 28% of all MacBook sales. Apple's M-series chips are known for muscle – think heavy-duty multitasking, tons of memory, and external display support. But the A18 Pro is… well, it's a phone chip. A very good one, mind you, but still designed for phones. Which leads me to wonder: what exactly will this MacBook be for? Students? Web browsing and spreadsheets? A glorified Netflix machine? I'm imagining something more like a Chromebook, but for Apple services. Whatever the case, I'm intrigued. It also seems like Apple might lean more into the 'fun' side of things. The MacBook's expected to come in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow finishes. That's similar to the base-model iPad (or the iBook G3 if you remember it), and honestly, I'm quite glad. Kuo reckons this new MacBook is expected to enter mass production at the tail end of 2025 or early 2026. It's price point is an interesting discussion point. Apple will have to sell this for less than $999/£999 – that's how much the MacBook Air costs. But if it goes too low, there aren't many reasons left to buy an iPad instead. I'm think it'll arrive for somewhere between $599/£599 and $799/£799 – but we'll have to wait and see.


Stuff.tv
20-06-2025
- Stuff.tv
Reviewing the Backbone Pro controller has opened up gaming on even more of my gadgets
Stuff Verdict A truly does-it-all mobile controller that'll play nicely with tablets, laptops and other gaming gear. The Backbone Pro is expensive, though – and overkill if you just want to play on your phone. Pros Bluetooth massively expands your device options All the familiar Backbone features return The most comfortable Backbone to date Cons Hall effect sticks would've been nice at this price Speaking of, ouch this is expensive Got to go solo to play on a tablet, unlike some rivals Introduction Buying tech that's truly multi-talented can be a great way to save a buck or two. Why get a camera or music player when you've got a smartphone in your pocket? Now mobile-first gaming expert Backbone is trying something similar, adding Bluetooth to the mix so you don't actually need to plug in your phone to play anymore. The Backbone Pro will pair with your PC, tablet, and even your TV. If you're not a console convert, that could be enough to make it the last controller you'll ever buy. It also addresses a few of the Backbone One's shortcomings, gains some customisable buttons, and swaps to Xbox-grade inputs. Upgrades rarely come cheap, though. At $170 (it's coming to the UK and Europe later down the line) the Pro is almost double the price of the Backbone One. It's also more expensive than Razer's rival Kishi V3 Pro, which remains laser focused on mobile but has a few features you won't find here. Can this Backbone really do it all? How we test gaming hardware All games consoles and gaming hardware tested on Stuff are put through their paces with days' worth of play time. We use our years of testing experience to judge areas such as build quality, software experience, battery life and other features. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: same but different No, I've not been using a regular Backbone One by mistake – the Backbone Pro might look awfully familiar, but the firm has made quite a few little tweaks. A new, textured surface on the extendable centre piece is the biggest indicator, although keen eyes will also spot the thumbsticks are now the same size as the ones you'll get on an Xbox controller. This is still a telescopic controller first and foremost, its two halves connected by a spring-loaded spine that can swallow pretty much any modern USB-C smartphone. My Google Pixel 9 Pro XL even slotted home securely while still in its official case. Got an older iPhone? Sorry, you'll have to stick with the older Backbone One with a Lightning connector. Two sets of rubber attachments in the box help you find a firm fit. What this won't do is open wide enough to grasp a tablet. Even an iPad Mini is a no-go – but that doesn't matter as much when you can connect via Bluetooth instead. The grips are more rounded than before, so the whole thing is easier to hold. This has also made room for two re-mappable rear action buttons, almost putting this on par with console-grade Pro controllers for number of additional inputs. Backbone then elongated the triggers in the name of comfort, and quietened the clicky action of the face buttons. It's still not what I'd call silent, but meant I could finish a level before bedtime without waking up my sleeping wife. I'd avoid tossing the controller into a bag by itself, as that's unlikely to do those analogue sticks any favours. Backbone has an official case that'll keep it safe; the felt finish looks and feels suitably premium, while the sculpted interior will keep the Backbone Pro from rattling around. It'll set you back an extra $25t on top of the cost of the controller itself, though. Features & battery life: all the ways to play All of the Backbone One's features have been carried over to the Pro model, so you still get a USB-C passthrough port in the right grip to keep your handset topped up while you game, and a 3.5mm port in the left grip. That's particularly handy if you've got an older wired gaming headset, now that phones with headphone connectors are rarer than a snowball in the Sahara. This is also where you'll find the new pairing button. Wireless play is almost as easy as plug-and-play with your phone: press and hold the button and the Backbone Pro will show up in your machine's Bluetooth devices list. My Android tablet, gaming laptop and even my LG TV all recognised it as a controller right away, with all the standard inputs working as expected. To have one controller that can to all this, and also clamp around my phone when I want to play mobile games, is fantastic. You could use a Backbone One on your PC or Mac through a tethered USB connection, but the setup process was convoluted. This is seamless, and doesn't require any cables. I especially like how you can pair to multiple devices and then pick which one is active through the companion app, so you don't need to go through the pairing process every time you swap. The built-in battery is good for up to 40 hours of wireless play, which is multiple times more than I've ever managed in a single session. Because the passthrough USB-C port tops up the controller as well as any connected handset, I rarely needed ti plug it in specifically to charge – though you might find otherwise if you spend more time gaming on devices other than your smartphone. This Backbone largely earns its Pro monicker, although it's not rocking any sort of haptic motors. Unless your phone is delivering the vibration, you'll forego any kind of force feedback here. Software experience: it'll cost ya It has seen a bunch of updates since I last used it with the Backbone One PlayStation Edition, but the Backbone App feels largely familiar. It still launches automatically when you plop your phone between its two halves, and still acts as a launcher for all your App store or Play Store games, Cloud gaming services, and local streaming tools like Steamlink. Per-game profiles, button customisation and firmware updates are all handled here too, and it's where you'll head for instant device switching. It's also handy for game discovery, with a Netflix-style scrolling layout that can help uncover hidden gems you didn't know were part of your Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now memberships. There's a lot more here, but only if you're willing to break out the credit card. A Backbone+ subscription, which lets you capture 1080p60 video clips, voice chat with other members, and assign buttons to onscreen overlays for games that don't support controllers, runs to $40 per year. iPhone owners also get beta access to an in-app emulator for retro titles, but Android owners currently miss out. Sure, it's slicker than having to bounce between multiple apps, but that's a lot of money to pay for convenience – especially when rivals like Razer don't charge for a similar setup. Performance: size matters Gaming with the Backbone Pro was comfortable and problem-free for the most part. Those full-size analogue sticks made my directional movements feel more precise and purposeful than they did on the Backbone One, in part because the concave shape provided a place to comfortably rest my thumbs. The right analogue stick is perhaps a little too close to the face buttons – which themselves are still on the small side – so multiple simultaneous inputs could be a little tricky. But while the left and right bumpers are still a bit skinny, I had no trouble with missed inputs. The triggers are much improved, with more room to rest your index fingers and a good amount of pull resistance. I'm not always a fan of extra rear buttons, as if they're even a little bit of a stretch to reach I'll largely not bother with them. That wasn't an issue here; the M1 and M2 buttons fell naturally beneath my ring fingers. Does it sit quite as confidently in your hands as a console gamepad? Not quite – but it gets damn close. The perfectly balanced weight between the two halves really helps, though having an especially top-heavy smartphone negates that a little. It's also a shame Backbone didn't go with Hall Effect analogue sticks; the firm used the long life tech for the triggers, but stuck with potentiometers (which don't have the same shelf life) for the sticks. That's not to say I had any issues with stick drift during my testing, but equally they won't be immune from it years down the line. Backbone Pro verdict This the new gold standard for mobile controller connectivity. Adding Bluetooth has massively expanded the Backbone Pro's potential, which is great news if you game across multiple devices and want one gamepad to rule them all. The larger analogue sticks and triggers make this a lot more comfortable than the Backbone One, too. Without haptic vibration and Hall effect analogue sticks, the Backbone Pro isn't quite as 'pro' as it could've been, though. The part-paywalled software suite is hardly what I'd call good value, and the cost of entry is pretty steep. The Razer Kishi V3 Pro adds even more buttons for a little less cash if you only want a mobile controller – but if convenience across all your kit matters most, it's the Backbone you should check out first. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 A truly does-it-all mobile controller that'll play nicely with tablets, laptops and other gaming gear. The Backbone Pro is expensive, though – and overkill if you just want to play on your phone. Pros Bluetooth massively expands your device options All the familiar Backbone features return The most comfortable Backbone to date Cons Hall effect sticks would've been nice at this price Speaking of, ouch this is expensive Software features are paywalled, too Backbone Pro technical specifications Compatibility Wired: Android/iOS (USB-C) Wireless: Android/iOS/Windows/Mac/SteamOS/smart TV Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth Battery Up to 40 hours Dimensions 181x50x101mm (contracted), 203g