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 serious focus on the occasion, and this 12 months’s choices vary from polished updates to daring, revolutionary designs that push the boundaries of private computing.

With so many new fashions on the occasion, I will not be capable to cowl all the things intimately, however I can slim it all the way down to what I take into account the seven most enjoyable 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 listing is the LG Gram Professional 17, which might be one of the vital intriguing Home windows laptops of 2026 because of a brand new materials known as Aerominum. Developed in-house, Aeronium is designed to cut 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.

Inside its modern physique, LG’s Gram Professional 17 is ready to accommodate a brand new Intel Core Extremely collection processor (possible from Intel’s Panther Lake collection), an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, and a high-resolution LCD display screen. A configuration like this can make the laptop computer essential for customers who desire a stable, on a regular basis work machine and a inventive powerhouse. LG will even provide a barely smaller, 16-inch mannequin. It’s going to 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 serious rebranding of the XPS collection into the “Dell Premium” line. Nonetheless, Dell execs just lately 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 Sequence 3 processors (identical to the earlier entry), 4K webcams, and high-density 900ED batteries, reportedly able to lasting as much as 40 hours underneath the suitable circumstances.

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 out there 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 further configurations, together with a brand new beginning construct that’ll retail for lower than $2,000. The laptop computer is barely out there in Graphic (black), however a Shimmer (silver) mannequin will launch later within the 12 months; an actual date was not given.

3. Acer Swift 16 AI

I’ve personally all the time 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 a large 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 immediately on the laptop computer with out the necessity for additional equipment. 

It helps MPP 2.5 styluses, guaranteeing correct on-screen motion, and it’s also bolstered with Corning Gorilla Glass for sturdiness. Oh, and it comes with the stylus. 

Above the keyboard sits a shocking 16-inch, 3K OLED WQXGA+ show that helps the total DCI-P3 colour gamut and runs at a refresh price 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 can be out there 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 choose, however the extra I dug into the lineup, I spotted the Alienware 16 Space-51 deserved the spot as an alternative. It presents lots of the similar flagship options because the 18-inch, simply in a extra manageable type. At 16 inches, it’s slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. My largest criticism concerning the earlier mannequin was its measurement: too massive and heavy to hold round.

Efficiency-wise, the Alienware 16 Space-51 is shaping as much as be a powerhouse. It’s going to run on Intel’s Core Extremely 200Hz processors; almost definitely the Extremely 7 255HX and 275HX as the opposite possibility. It’s going to 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 characteristic is the anti-glare OLED display screen. In line 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; nonetheless, 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 consider will give the MacBook Air a run for its cash.

Out of all the things that was unveiled, the Status 14 AI+ stood out to me essentially the most. It measures about half an inch thick and weighs just 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.

The upgrades do not cease there. MSI’s Status 14 AI+ can be powered by an Intel Core Extremely X9 388H CPU, characteristic a 120Hz OLED display screen, and incorporate a sturdy cooling system. As for the opposite fashions, there will even be a 16-inch Status that carefully mirrors the 14-inch mannequin, and a small 13-inch possibility 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 out there 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 US. 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 just a little experimental. Every era has its personal distinctive characteristic 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 characteristic is definitely fairly sensible.

Its 14-inch 2.8K OLED display screen sits on a particular motorized, dual-rotation hinge, giving customers the power to bodily transfer the display screen to the facet. One minute, you might be typing away, after which within the subsequent, you possibly can swing the display screen to the facet for a fast presentation. Even with out this characteristic, the laptop computer is shaping as much as be a stable machine because of the Intel Core Extremely Sequence 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 commonly too small to be actually helpful. Asus is immediately addressing this challenge 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 price and a peak brightness of as much as 1,000 nits. It’s going to be supplied in a number of configurations with one construct operating on an Intel Core Extremely 9 386H processor. The laptop computer additionally ships with a removable keyboard.

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

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

A precise launch date or time-frame for the Asus ZenBook Duo was not given, though it has been confirmed for a 2026 launch.