7 new Windows laptops that delighted and surprised us at CES

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It is the brand new 12 months, and with it comes CES 2026, the tech trade’s first main showcase of the 12 months. That is the time when the most important names showcase what they’ve in retailer. Laptops are a significant focus on the occasion, and this 12 months’s choices vary from polished updates to daring, modern designs that push the boundaries of non-public computing.

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With so many new fashions on the occasion, I will not be capable of cowl every thing intimately, however I can slender it all the way down to what I take into account the seven most fun laptops of CES 2026, highlighting PCs that stood out for his or her distinctive options, efficiency upgrades, and forward-thinking designs.

1. LG Gram Professional 17

Kicking off the record is the LG Gram Professional 17, which might be one of the intriguing Home windows laptops of 2026 due to a brand new materials referred to as Aerominum. Developed in-house, Aeronium is designed to scale back weight whereas sustaining structural sturdiness. It permits the laptop computer to stay ultraportable with out feeling fragile. LG even claims that it will likely be the world’s light-weight RTX laptop computer.

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Inside its modern physique, LG’s Gram Professional 17 is ready to accommodate a brand new Intel Core Extremely collection processor (seemingly from Intel’s Panther Lake collection), an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, and a high-resolution LCD display screen. A configuration like it will make the laptop computer vital for customers who desire a stable, on a regular basis work machine and a artistic powerhouse. LG can even supply a barely smaller, 16-inch mannequin. It will possess lots of the similar options, however the LG Gram Professional 16 swaps out the LCD for a extra vibrant OLED panel.

A launch window for the LG Gram Professional 17 was not given, though the corporate did level out in its announcement that it will likely be unique to customers in North America.

2. Dell XPS 14

2025 was an attention-grabbing 12 months for Dell, marked by a significant rebranding of the XPS collection into the “Dell Premium” line. Nonetheless, Dell execs not too long ago acknowledged their second ideas concerning the title change, as a result of the XPS title returns in 2026 with two new laptops main the cost. 

After checking them out, I discovered the brand new XPS 14 to be essentially the most intriguing. Each fashions are powered by Intel Core Extremely Collection 3 processors (similar to the earlier entry), 4K webcams, and high-density 900ED batteries, reportedly able to lasting as much as 40 hours below the fitting circumstances.

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What gave the XPS 14 the sting over its sibling for me is its slim profile, measuring simply 14.6mm thick and weighing about three kilos. It additionally boasts an InfiniteEdge OLED that makes use of the whole accessible display screen house, making it seem a lot bigger than its comparatively small measurement.

Dell’s XPS 14 is out there for buy proper now in restricted configurations from the corporate web site. Costs begin $2,050. Subsequent month, Dell will roll out extra configurations, together with a brand new beginning construct that’ll retail for lower than $2,000. The laptop computer is just accessible in Graphic (black), however a Shimmer (silver) mannequin will launch later within the 12 months; a precise date was not given.

3. Acer Swift 16 AI

I’ve personally at all times seen Acer as a dependable, if predictable laptop computer model. That mindset would possibly change with the discharge of its upcoming flagship, the Swift 16 AI, which has an enormous trackpad occupying almost half of the laptop computer’s decrease portion. The outsized haptic trackpad doubles as a drawing pill, permitting artists to sketch, animate, and mannequin straight on the laptop computer with out the necessity for further equipment. 

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It helps MPP 2.5 styluses, guaranteeing correct on-screen motion, and additionally it is strengthened with Corning Gorilla Glass for sturdiness. Oh, and it comes with the stylus. 

Above the keyboard sits a surprising 16-inch, 3K OLED WQXGA+ show that helps the complete DCI-P3 coloration gamut and runs at a refresh fee of 120Hz. I am intrigued by the Swift 16 AI. The mega trackpad is a daring thought, however whether or not it is sensible in on a regular basis use stays to be seen.

You will not have to attend lengthy for this laptop computer. The Acer Swift 16 AI will likely be accessible for buy in North America in Q1 2026. 

4. Alienware 16 Space-51

Initially, I deliberate to spotlight the up to date Alienware 18 as my gaming laptop computer decide, however the extra I dug into the lineup, I spotted the Alienware 16 Space-51 deserved the spot as an alternative. It provides lots of the similar flagship options because the 18-inch, simply in a extra manageable kind. At 16 inches, it’s slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. My greatest grievance concerning the earlier mannequin was its measurement: too huge and heavy to hold round.

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Efficiency-wise, the Alienware 16 Space-51 is shaping as much as be a powerhouse. It will run on Intel’s Core Extremely 200Hz processors; more than likely the Extremely 7 255HX and 275HX as the opposite choice. It will pair that CPU with Nvidia’s newest gaming GPUs, as much as 64GB of RAM, and a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard. What’s arguably its most notable function is the anti-glare OLED display screen. In accordance with Dell, this new panel reduces “gloss by 32%, assuaging glare, reflections”, and fingerprint smudges.

There is not a set launch but for the 2026 Alienware 16 Space-51; nevertheless, it’s slated for launch someday in Q1 2026, so fairly quickly.

5. MSI Status 14 AI+

MSI is understood primarily as a gaming laptop computer model, however the firm additionally has a robust lineup of productiveness PCs. For 2026, MSI is introducing new ultrathin fashions in its Status collection, which I imagine will give the MacBook Air a run for its cash.

Out of every thing that was unveiled, the Status 14 AI+ stood out to me essentially the most. It measures about half an inch thick and weighs slightly below three kilos. In comparison with the earlier era, this upcoming laptop computer is roughly 0.2 inches thinner and 14 ounces lighter, a major discount.

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The upgrades do not cease there. MSI’s Status 14 AI+ will likely be powered by an Intel Core Extremely X9 388H CPU, function a 120Hz OLED display screen, and incorporate a sturdy cooling system. As for the opposite fashions, there can even be a 16-inch Status that carefully mirrors the 14-inch mannequin, and a small 13-inch choice for individuals who prioritize portability.

Lots of MSI’s CES 2026 laptops can be found for preorder from the corporate’s web site — aside from the Status 14 AI+. The closest accessible mannequin is the Status 14 Flip AI+, which incorporates a comparable configuration and a versatile hinge. It is retailing for $1,300 and can ship out on January 27. I’ve reached out to MSI to see if it plans on releasing the non-Flex model of the Status 14 AI+ in the USA. I’ve but to listen to again.

6. Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist

Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus collection is the place the corporate will get a little bit experimental. Every era has its personal distinctive function not shared with every other mannequin. The fifth era might flip into an Android, whereas the sixth has a rollable show. Many of those options have been gimmicks at greatest, however the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist is particular as a result of its function is definitely fairly sensible.

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Its 14-inch 2.8K OLED display screen sits on a particular motorized, dual-rotation hinge, giving customers the flexibility to bodily transfer the display screen to the aspect. One minute, you would be typing away, after which within the subsequent, you may swing the display screen to the aspect for a fast presentation. Even with out this function, the laptop computer is shaping as much as be a stable machine due to the Intel Core Extremely Collection 3 processor and Dolby Atmos audio system.

Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist launches in June 2026, “with an estimated beginning worth of $1,649.”

7. Asus ZenBook Duo

Twin-screen laptops aren’t new, however they’ve by no means actually caught on, primarily as a result of the secondary show is usually too small to be actually helpful. Asus is straight addressing this concern with the 2026 ZenBook Duo, a laptop computer with two equally sized 14-inch OLED touchscreens. Every half runs at 3K decision with a 144Hz refresh fee and a peak brightness of as much as 1,000 nits. It will be supplied in a number of configurations with one construct working on an Intel Core Extremely 9 386H processor. The laptop computer additionally ships with a removable keyboard.

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From a productiveness standpoint, the attraction is clear: it delivers the kind of dual-monitor flexibility which you can get on a desktop with out sacrificing the portability of a laptop computer. It boasts an enormous 93% screen-to-body ratio, guaranteeing a extra immersive expertise. The ZenBook Duo measures almost an inch in thickness when closed and weighs slightly below 4 kilos.

That measurement would not embrace the keyboard, so I’m curious to know if the additional bulk will make the ZenBook tough to hold. Nonetheless, contemplating it comes with two OLEDs, I believe it’s going to be a worthwhile trade-off.

An actual launch date or timeframe for the Asus ZenBook Duo was not given, though it has been confirmed for a 2026 launch.