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Razer Blade Switchblade UI (photos)

A close-up look at the Razer Blade's unique touch-screen touch pad and LED hotkey interface.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
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The Razer Blade's Switchblade UI has ten customizable LED buttons above and a Synaptics touch pad below that also doubles as its own second LCD screen. The Switchblade UI makes its laptop debut on the Razer Blade, but it's also built into Razer's Star Wars: The Old Republic gaming keyboard.
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You browse Web content on the second screen using one or two fingers, similar to a smartphone.
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Within the YouTube app -- one of ten mini-apps built into the default interface -- videos are brought up by various lists, or via search.
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The calculator app turns the touch screen into the Blade's missing number pad.
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Browsing via an included Web browser app; it works, but not perfectly.
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The miniature Web-browsing-via-touch pad experience is best for looking up game-related info while playing in full-screen on the Blade's main 17.3-inch display.
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Googling something via the Switchblade UI works, but not as smoothly as I'd hoped.
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Razer's Synapse 2.0 app, the main software tool to customize any Switchblade UI key functions or keyboard key assignments, includes a set of Star Wars: The Old Republic and Firefall graphics icons to assign to the hotkeys.

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