Unveiling CES 2025: The Latest Innovations in Gaming Laptops

CES 2024 showcased a plethora of gaming laptops, revealing key trends shaping the market. This report summarizes the most significant observations.

Diverse Design Language

While gaming laptops have always offered stylistic variety, this year felt particularly distinct. Manufacturers like Gigabyte and MSI are blurring the lines between productivity and gaming machines, emphasizing aesthetics beyond raw hardware. This translates to a broader spectrum of designs. Some, such as the Gigabyte Aero series, boast sleek, professional aesthetics, suitable for any business environment. Conversely, others, like the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, proudly display their gaming pedigree with bold graphics.

RGB lighting remains a staple, with innovative implementations including wrap-around rings, illuminated keyboards, and even trackpad lighting. Asus' ROG Strix Scar series impressed with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display, capable of dynamic text and animation. While not revolutionary, expect a blend of familiar form factors (from bulky to ultra-slim) and intriguing new design elements.

AI Integration Takes Center Stage

AI features were heavily promoted, but past implementations often fell short. This year, several vendors showcased AI assistants designed for seamless PC control without dedicated software. One MSI demonstration involved the AI automatically optimizing performance settings based on the specified game. However, the practical speed advantage over manual adjustments remains questionable and requires further evaluation.

Mini-LED, Rollable Screens, and Other Innovations

Mini-LED technology is finally gaining traction. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte all displayed high-end Mini-LED laptops. These models, featuring over 1100 local dimming zones, offer superior brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to previous iterations. While OLED still holds an edge in contrast, Mini-LED's lack of burn-in risk and higher sustained brightness make it a compelling alternative.

Further innovations were evident. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 returned with USB4 eGPU support, eliminating proprietary connections. Asus also showcased its Zenbook Duo dual-screen laptop. However, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable stole the show with its innovative rollable OLED display. This 14-inch screen extends by 2.7 inches with a button press. While the first-generation product presents durability concerns, it represents a significant step forward in laptop design.

The Rise of Ultrabook Gaming Laptops

Ultrabook-style gaming laptops are becoming increasingly prevalent. Major manufacturers are embracing this thin, light, and premium design. Gigabyte's revamped Aero line exemplifies this trend. These laptops, while not always explicitly labeled as "Ultrabooks," offer a balance of portability and gaming capabilities. They are particularly well-suited for users who don't require maximum settings on the latest games. Adding a dedicated graphics card remains an option for enhanced performance, as demonstrated by the Asus TUF Gaming A14.

Furthermore, advancements in integrated graphics from AMD and Intel, coupled with technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, allow for surprisingly playable performance in many games, even without a dedicated GPU. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now provide additional options for high-quality gaming on less powerful hardware.

The gaming laptop landscape is evolving rapidly. We will continue to cover these developments throughout the year. Share your thoughts and observations in the comments below!