Top Laptops Unveiled at CES 2026

CES 2026: Innovations in Slimmer Designs, Powerful GPUs, and AI Integration

CES remains a vital platform where laptop manufacturers present their visions for the upcoming year. At CES 2026, we observed the launch of flagship laptops geared towards productivity, revamped gaming notebooks, and incremental enhancements in key product lines. Though some details are still under wraps until embargoes are lifted, here are the highlights of the most prominent laptops unveiled thus far. Expect additional updates as more revelations are made throughout January 6 and beyond.

Unveiling the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Line

Samsung's Galaxy Book6 series made its debut with three new models powered by Intel’s Panther Lake processors: the Galaxy Book6, Book6 Pro, and Book6 Ultra. This year's focus includes refined designs, enhanced thermal mechanisms, and extended battery life, boasting up to 30 hours of video playback for the Book6 Ultra and Pro models.

Leading the way is the 16-inch Galaxy Book6 Ultra, offering configurations up to Intel Core Ultra X9 CPUs, along with Intel Arc and NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs, including the RTX 5070 and RTX 5060. Samsung claims a 1.6x increase in CPU performance and 1.7x enhancement in graphics over its predecessor, aided by a wider vapor chamber and a dual-path fan system for cooling the GPU.

The Book6 Ultra and Pro come with advanced 2,880 x 1,800 AMOLED 2X screens, featuring touch capabilities, variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, and peak brightness reaching 1,000 nits. These laptops become slimmer than their last-generation counterparts, with the Ultra at 15.4mm thick and the Pro at 11.9mm. Furthermore, Samsung introduces haptic trackpads for the series. Details about pricing and launch dates are yet to be disclosed.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo: Dual-Screen Gaming Reimagined

ASUS has unveiled the ROG Zephyrus Duo, a novel entry into the gaming arena featuring two complete 16-inch displays within a high-caliber gaming machine. Unlike its more productivity-centric dual-screen predecessors, the Zephyrus Duo is designed to deliver a seamless experience for gaming, content creation, and multitasking.

These two Nebula OLED screens support HDR and boast a peak brightness of 1,100 nits, with NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, stylus input, and superior color precision. Under the hood, Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors are paired with NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs, capped at an RTX 5090. Although it won't measure up to single-screen gaming laptops in raw power due to its 135W budget, the emphasis remains on adaptability.

Additional features include a detachable wireless keyboard, a built-in stand, and various user modes such as dual-screen stacking and drawing configurations. Despite its substantial 6.28-pound weight, the chassis stays compact at 0.77 inches thick and houses six speakers, advanced vapor chamber cooling, and multiple ports including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1. Pricing and launch details remain undisclosed.

MSI Stealth 16 AI+: A Balance of Power and Portability

CES 2026 saw MSI update its Stealth series with the Stealth 16 AI+, a gaming laptop that expertly balances high performance with portability. Measuring a mere 16.6mm in thickness and weighing under two kilograms, this laptop boasts NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs alongside Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors.

While maintaining a sleek appearance, the Stealth 16 AI+ offers dual memory slots and SSD bays, allowing for greater customization than typical thin gaming laptops. MSI positions this model as a versatile option for users desiring enhanced gaming capabilities without the excessive bulk of top-tier hardware.

MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX: Tradition Meets Performance

The MSI Crosshair 16 Max HX draws on a classic gaming approach, coupling Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-series graphics. Although it doesn’t outpace the flagship Raider models, it still targets gamers seeking robust performance in a sleeker package.

Buyers can select an optional QHD+ OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, offering sharper, more fluid responses for gaming and multimedia applications. The introduction of the Crosshair 16 HX variant further expands options for gamers looking for configurations that suit higher-end needs.

HP OmniBook Ultra 14: Ultra-thin Durability

HP premiers its latest consumer laptop, the OmniBook Ultra 14, at CES 2026. It's a high-end ultraportable machine built for durability and thinness, measuring only 0.42 inches thick and weighing 2.8 pounds. HP states it has surpassed 20 MIL-STD-810 tests to withstand shocks, drops, and extreme temperatures. Instead of a unibody design, it uses sturdy, forge-stamped aluminum to resist bending.

The OmniBook Ultra 14 provides a 3K OLED screen and can be configured with up to 64GB memory and 2TB storage. Users can pick between Intel Core Ultra chips or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite, with the latter offering an NPU capable of up to 85 TOPS for AI tasks. Its incorporation of a vapor chamber is a first for OmniBook, ensuring sustained performance within its slim frame.

HP rounds out the design with a sizable touchpad, four speakers, and three USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4 and fast charging. This model is slated to hit the market later in the month with a starting price of $1,550.

HP Omen Max 16: Gaming Performance Redefined

The Omen Max 16 emerged as HP’s top 16-inch gaming laptop, made for intense gaming sessions, featuring Intel Core Ultra 200HX CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs. Its design caters to high-performance gaming requirements, with enhanced thermal management and high-refresh panels aimed at competitive gamers.

In HP’s hierarchy, it represents the pinnacle of the Omen series, positioned above the Omen 15 and Omen 16, which target a broader gaming demographic. Details regarding pricing and availability are anticipated later in the year.

Acer Swift 16 AI: Pioneering Display Technology

Acer broadens its Swift lineup at CES 2026, unveiling the Swift 16 AI, a large-screen ultraportable with cutting-edge input and display enhancements. It features what Acer claims is the largest haptic touchpad available, offering MPP 2.5 stylus input for heightened precision in creative and professional tasks.

Equipped with a 16-inch 3K OLED WQXGA+ touchscreen, HDR support, a 120Hz refresh rate, and full DCI-P3 color spectrum, the Swift 16 AI can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor and Intel Arc B390 graphics, alongside up to 32GB RAM and 2TB storage. Despite its expansive display, the laptop remains slim at 14.9mm and weighs around 3.4 pounds.

Dell XPS 13, 14, and 16: A Comeback Story

Experiencing déjà vu? Dell's XPS series has resurfaced after a brief hiatus following a branding overhaul that confused some consumers and journalists. This year’s CES sees Dell returning to basics, unveiling new iterations in the XPS 13, 14, and 16 categories. Although details are currently sparse, their market launch is forthcoming.

Alienware's Gaming Lineup: Blending Performance with Versatility

Alienware teased a new line of ultra-slim gaming laptops at CES, designed as a step below the Area-51 series. These laptops, measuring approximately 0.67 inches in thickness, will be available in 14-inch and 16-inch variants.

According to Alienware, the 16-inch model incorporates NVIDIA discrete graphics partnered with efficient CPUs. Rather than focusing solely on gaming, it’s meant to balance gameplay, creative pursuits, and everyday uses.

The company also showcased an entry-level gaming laptop aimed at budget-conscious buyers, promising formidable gaming capability at an accessible price. Anticipated to cost less than the $1,199 Alienware 16 Aurora, it is expected to lower the entry point for Alienware's gaming laptops significantly.

Alienware Area-51 and Aurora Updates

Alienware announces enhancements to its existing range, with the Alienware 16X Aurora and 16 Area-51 receiving anti-glare OLED panels supporting 620-nit peak HDR brightness and a rapid 0.2ms response time, coupled with Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors.

Refreshes have also been applied to the Alienware 18 Area-51, featuring the same CPUs. Availability for the upgraded models is set for the first quarter of 2026, with pricing information yet to be announced.