Why CES 2026 Is a Turning Point for Laptops
Las Vegas, NV — CES 2026 has once again transformed the tech landscape, with laptop manufacturers pushing boundaries in AI performance, display innovation, gaming power, productivity features, and form-factor experimentation. From foldable concepts to ultralight RTX machines and productivity-focused Copilot+ PCs, the 2026 lineup shows how mobile computing is evolving faster than ever.
Here’s our expert roundup of the standout laptops from the show — and what they mean for users, creators, and gamers alike.
1. Acer Swift 16 AI — Redefining Productivity with Innovative Input
Acer’s Swift 16 AI emerged as one of the most talked-about laptops at CES:
- Features the world’s largest haptic touchpad — nearly 7″ in size — with stylus support, turning it into a second input surface for creative workflows.
- Runs on Intel’s latest Panther Lake platform, including up to Core Ultra X9 388H and integrated Intel Arc graphics. TechNave
- The 16″ 3K OLED panel offers vibrant visuals, high refresh rates, and wide color coverage — ideal for creators and multitaskers.
Why it matters: Acer is positioning this machine as more than just another ultraportable — it’s a productivity powerhouse tailored for Copilot+ AI experiences in Windows 11.
2. Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Series — Premium Power for Everyday Use
Samsung expanded its Galaxy Book 6 lineup with three models:
- The Galaxy Book 6 Ultra, Pro, and standard Book 6 bring the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 CPUs.
- Expect strong performance, enhanced thermals, and upgraded displays across the series — including AMOLED 2X panels with up to 1,000 nits brightness and adaptive refresh.
- Samsung also introduced haptic trackpads and refined thin-and-light designs for improved usability.
Trend Insight: Samsung is pushing premium Windows laptops that balance productivity, battery life, and design, signaling stronger competition with Apple and Dell.
3. ASUS ProArt PX13 / PZ14 — Rugged Creators and Hybrid Innovation
ASUS showcased creative-focused hardware with a twist:
- The ProArt PX13 convertible laptop — including a GoPro-inspired Edition — offers a 2880×1800 OLED display and AMD’s Ryzen AI Max APU. The Verge
- A detachable PZ14 tablet provides a versatile slate form factor with Qualcomm Snapdragon power, making it ideal for mobile content creation.
Key takeaway: ASUS targets creators who demand both performance and flexibility, blending rugged design with high-end visuals.
4. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo — Two Screens, Countless Possibilities
Gaming laptops continued their evolution:
- The ROG Zephyrus Duo now features two full-size 16″ 3K 120Hz OLEDs, with detachable keyboard and flexible mode support.
- Powered by Intel Panther Lake CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs (up to RTX 5090), this is a high-end dual-screen gaming and productivity machine.
Why it stands out: Dual displays aren’t just gimmicks anymore — they’re tools for multitasking, creative workflows, and immersive gaming.
5. HP OmniBook Ultra with 85 TOPS AI — AI at the Heart of the Laptop
HP made a bold claim with its AI-centric design:
- The OmniBook Ultra 14 boasts a world-first 85 TOPS Neural Processing Unit in a consumer notebook, elevating on-device AI performance. The Times of India
- HP also refreshed its broader OmniBook lineup with improved battery life and OLED visuals.
Impact: As AI workloads become mainstream — from real-time content generation to intelligent productivity features — laptops with specialized NPUs will redefine performance benchmarks.
6. Lightweight Powerhouses — LG & MSI Innovations
LG Gram Pro
- LG’s Gram Pro 17 claims the title of the lightest 17″ laptop with an RTX GPU, thanks to a new Aerominum material for strength and weight savings. The Verge
- Also announced: Gram Pro 16 with AI capabilities and high-quality OLED display.
MSI Productivity & Gaming Lineup
- MSI introduced sleek, performance-focused laptops, including Prestige series and RTX-powered gaming machines.
- The Stealth 16 AI+ and updated Crosshair series combine powerful hardware with refined thermals and improved I/O layouts.
Trend: CES 2026 confirms that portability and power are no longer mutually exclusive — laptops can be both light and potent.
Final Thoughts: What CES 2026 Tells Us About Laptop Future
AI Everywhere: From HP’s AI engines to Acer’s Copilot+ integration, on-device AI is becoming a core expectation — not an optional feature.
Display Evolution: OLED panels with high brightness, adaptive refresh, and creative input surfaces point to a future where visual quality and usability matter as much as raw performance.
Form Factor Innovation: Dual screens, rugged convertibles, and ultralight RTX models redefine what a laptop can be — catering to creators, professionals, and gamers alike.
For brands and buyers alike, CES 2026 has set a new bar. If you’re looking for a laptop in 2026 — whether for AI tasks, creative work, gaming, or everyday productivity — the future looks faster, smarter, and more versatile than ever.
