LAS VEGAS—You’ll be able to at all times depend on CES for a crop of shiny new laptops. We’ve scoured the present flooring and assembly halls of the most important tech present on this planet to search out you absolutely the best laptops previewed right here in Las Vegas. We discovered a high-profile laptop computer that is extra repairable than ever, two units that serve discover to Apple and Microsoft icons, a stunning dual-screen darling, and even one with a show that bends a full 180. These are the eight high laptops of CES 2026.
Finest Laptop computer General
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Version
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Lenovo reworked the inside of the present ThinkPad X1 Carbon chassis, creating financial savings for IT managers and finish customers by letting them exchange an element simply as an alternative of shopping for an entire new laptop computer. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Version is our primary laptop computer of the present. It’s full of Intel Core Extremely Sequence 3 Panther Lake processors, however the larger story is on the within. Lenovo’s greatest innovation right here is its “Area Body” design, which makes the inside parts extra upgradable and replaceable by mounting them on each side of the interior body. You’ll be able to entry the laptop computer’s guts from below the keyboard (it merely lifts off from some magnets!), or by means of the underside panel to swap out elements—the ports, the battery, the followers—when one thing wants restore. That is the basic top-end ThinkPad you recognize, however made much more compelling, incomes it the highest spot on our listing. (For a deeper dive, see our fingers on with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14.)
Finest Ultraportable Laptop computer
Asus Zenbook A16
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Asus virtually stole the present at CES 2025 with its 14-inch Zenbook A14 laptop computer, so this 12 months it adopted that up with one thing even larger and higher: the 16-inch Zenbook A16. Nonetheless an Arm-based Home windows AI PC, now packing Qualcomm’s top-end, 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite Excessive processor, the A16 chooses “extra” as its operative phrase: extra display screen, extra energy, and extra battery life. Sure, this additionally means extra thickness and weight, however the positive aspects in girth are marginal given the upsides. It measures simply 0.65 inch thick and weighs solely 2.65 kilos—lighter (however thicker) than Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air. We absolutely anticipate the Asus Zenbook A16 to be a 16-inch ultraportable laptop computer to beat in 2026. (See our fingers on with the Asus Zenbook A16.)
Finest Content material Creation Laptop computer
MSI Stealth 16 AI+
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
MSI’s ultra-thin Stealth gaming laptop computer line has been remodeled right into a smooth, transportable high-power gadget for extra than simply gaming. The brand new Stealth design identification bears a powerful resemblance to the MacBook Professional, however the result’s a extra interesting, understated design than even Razer’s all-metal Blade look. Other than design, the laptop computer has the ability wanted not only for gaming, however for content material creation and different high-demand duties, assisted by contemporary Intel Core Extremely Sequence 3 H-grade processors with improved AI {hardware}. And for gaming, you may package out the Stealth with as much as a top-end GeForce RTX 5090 graphics chip, and it is one of many thinnest and lightest laptops that may do it. That’s due to a brand new, killer cooling scheme inside. We might already be taking a look at the perfect MacBook Professional various fairly early within the recreation this 12 months. (See our fingers on with the MSI Stealth 16 AI+.)
Finest Enterprise Laptop computer
Asus ExpertBook Extremely
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Whilst you might think about Asus’ newest flagship work laptop computer a runner-up to this 12 months’s topmost Lenovo choose, when strictly talking of enterprise machines, the 14-inch ExpertBook Extremely ought to share that podium. It’s an extremely centered AI PC laptop computer for work with 50 watts of energy through Intel Core Extremely X9 processing, backed by an upgraded thermal system. Regardless of this, the laptop computer weighs simply 2.18 kilos, measures solely 0.43 inch thick, and might final for as much as 24 hours on a cost and refill to 50% juice in simply half-hour on the plug. It is a high-potency system that’s even thinner and lighter than a MacBook Air, however with a bigger 14-inch display screen and plenty of extra ports, together with two Thunderbolt Sort-C’s, two USB Sort-A, full-size HDMI, and a headphone jack. Talking of which, that panel is a shocking 1800p Tandem OLED show outfitted with sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus and efficient anti-glare etching. It’s a no-nonsense, hyper-light work laptop computer that can be powerful to beat this 12 months.
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Finest Gaming Laptop computer
Alienware 16 Space-51 (OLED, 2026)
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Dell’s newest top-end gaming laptop computer already earned a excessive rating in our 2025 evaluation, so the corporate didn’t should do a lot to the Alienware 16 Space-51 to doubtlessly win it even larger marks. One factor many avid gamers, together with ourselves, have been requesting is for Alienware to convey again OLED, and this 12 months’s Space-51 laptops ship precisely that with out compromise. Including OLED panels refreshing at 240Hz wasn’t sufficient for Dell, although, additionally updating the laptops’ processors to Intel’s refreshed Intel Core Extremely 200HX-series chips. Each strikes ought to assist Alienware’s possibilities of popping out forward on this 12 months’s gaming laptop computer race. (See our first have a look at the brand new OLED Alienware laptops.)
Finest 2-in-1 Removable Laptop computer
Asus ProArt PZ14
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Asus seems bent on producing a greater Floor Professional than Microsoft itself can, and the brand new ProArt PZ14 removable 2-in-1 laptop computer may be the one to seal the deal. As earlier than, it is a Snapdragon system, now powered by the 18-core X2 Elite processor. Asus guarantees “all-day battery life” on this gadget, which we’ll have to check completely, however the remainder of the package deal has instant enchantment. That features a 14-inch 1800p OLED contact display screen that refreshes at 144Hz, in addition to the extra ports it gives over the most recent Floor Professional. Plus, Asus consists of the keyboard within the field. (Take be aware, Microsoft!) All instructed, the ProArt PZ14 is poised to be your first cease for a removable 2-in-1 laptop computer this 12 months.
Really helpful by Our Editors
Finest Twin-Display screen Laptop computer
Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Twin-screen laptops are an attention-grabbing area of interest, and Asus’ new Zenbook Duo has lengthy been a favourite of ours. For 2026, Asus made it even slicker. One of many laptop computer’s two 1800p screens is the place you normally anticipate a laptop computer’s keyboard to be. This concept is not new, however Asus made spectacular strides in making it look smooth, shaving down the bezels on all sides, particularly on the hinge, permitting for extra seamless dual-screen use. Asus additionally improved the keyboard and made the touchpad loads larger. Your fingers won’t ever mistake it for a mechanical keyboard, but it surely’s extra workable than ever, and you need to use the keyboard alone in your desk wirelessly, or overlaid onto the decrease display screen like a “regular” clamshell laptop computer. The ZenBook Duo is provided with a alternative of Core Extremely 7, Core Extremely 9, or Core Extremely X9 Panther Lake CPUs from Intel.
Finest Laptop computer Prototype
Lenovo ThinkPad Rollable XD
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Lenovo has already introduced a rollable laptop computer show to market, so it’s promising to see it refined in a brand-new prototype. The ThinkPad Rollable XD incorporates a rolling panel that stretches 180 levels across the high of the display screen lid and rolls out right into a a lot bigger display screen on command. When the display screen is rolled in, you achieve some extra, customizable display screen area on the lid’s again (masking roughly a 3rd of it). That portion can show fundamental info, akin to climate, system diagnostics, and notifications. Whenever you launch the screen-stretching hounds, nonetheless, the 14-inch laptop computer display screen extends upward to measure 17 inches diagonally, which may be helpful for varied skilled duties. Judging by the relative polish within the gadget we noticed at CES, probabilities appear excessive that we might even see this mannequin for actual at some point. (See our first have a look at the ThinkPad Rollable XD.)
About Our Knowledgeable
Joe Osborne
Deputy Managing Editor, {Hardware}
Expertise
After beginning my profession at PCMag as an intern greater than a decade in the past, I’m again as one in all its editors, centered on managing laptops, desktops, and parts protection. With 15 years of expertise, I’ve been on employees and printed in expertise evaluation publications, together with PCMag (in fact!), Laptop computer Journal, Tom’s Information, TechRadar, and IGN. Alongside the best way, I’ve examined and reviewed lots of of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I’ve experience in testing all types of laptops and desktops utilizing the most recent instruments. I’m additionally well-versed in online game {hardware} and software program protection.
