As the entry-level option in the newly dubbed Blade 15 line, the Base Model has the fancy vapor-chamber cooling stripped out for more traditional thermals, so its chassis is a bit chunkier to cut costs. It measures 0.78 inch thick, a modest bump from the 0.66 inch of the flagship version.

Other than that, the Blade 15 Base Model boasts the same high-end build we’ve come to love from the Blades. The machined aluminum is sleek and sturdy, making for a machine that feels as premium as it looks.

The Base Model does share the Advanced Model’s super-thin bezels (4.9mm down the sides), which go a long way toward making any laptop look sleek and modern. The IPS display panel measures 15.6 inches diagonally, with a full HD resolution, a matte finish, and 100 percent sRGB coverage.

As with the displays, Razer’s gotten good at making comfortable keyboards, and the Blade 15 Base Model’s is no different. The keys have just enough travel but don’t feel mushy, and, as a bonus, they’re backlit with customizable lighting.

The touchpad, meanwhile, is a high-quality glass surface with Microsoft Precision Touchpad support for smooth tracking and gesture capability. It feels very comfortable to use, and I maintain my stance that Razer has some of the best laptop touchpads on the market, up there with those on Apple's various MacBook machines.

On this side are two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an Ethernet jack, and a headset jack.

Flip it around to see another USB 3.1 Type-A port, a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, and both HDMI and mini DisplayPort outputs.

You can see part of the active cooling system in play, with two grilles over two exhaust fans.

The Blade 15 Base Model trims a few frills from Razer's flagship Blade, but it keeps most of its best aspects. Just make sure you need the slim design; you're giving up some gaming grunt to gain it.