Alienware 18 Area-51

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

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It's the new year, and with it comes CES 2026, the tech industry's first major showcase of the year. This is the time when the biggest names show off what they have in store. Laptops are a major focus at the event, and this year's offerings range from polished updates to bold, innovative designs that push the boundaries of personal computing.

Also: CES 2026 from Las Vegas: Latest updates on TVs, Smart Glasses, Robots, and more

With so many new models at the event, I won't be able to cover everything in detail, but I can narrow it down to what I consider the seven most exciting laptops of CES 2026, highlighting PCs that stood out for their unique features, performance upgrades, and forward-thinking designs.

1. LG Gram Pro 17

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Kicking off the list is the LG Gram Pro 17, which could be one of the most intriguing Windows laptops of 2026 thanks to a new material called Aerominum. Developed in-house, Aeronium is designed to reduce weight while maintaining structural durability. It allows the laptop to remain ultraportable without feeling fragile. LG even claims that it will be the world's lightweight RTX laptop.

Also: The best laptops you can buy

Inside its sleek body, LG's Gram Pro 17 is set to house a new Intel Core Ultra series processor (likely from Intel's Panther Lake series), an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, and a high-resolution LCD screen. A configuration like this will make the laptop a must-have for users who want a solid, everyday work machine and a creative powerhouse. LG will also offer a slightly smaller, 16-inch model. It'll possess many of the same features, but the LG Gram Pro 16 swaps out the LCD for a more vibrant OLED panel.

A launch window for the LG Gram Pro 17 was not given, although the company did point out in its announcement that it will be exclusive to users in North America.

2. Dell XPS 14

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

2025 was an interesting year for Dell, marked by a major rebranding of the XPS series into the "Dell Premium" line. However, Dell execs recently acknowledged their second thoughts about the name change, because the XPS name returns in 2026 with two new laptops leading the charge. 

After checking them out, I found the new XPS 14 to be the most intriguing. Both models are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors (just like the previous entry), 4K webcams, and high-density 900ED batteries, reportedly capable of lasting up to 40 hours under the right conditions.

Also: The Dell XPS makes a triumphant return at CES 2026, and it looks better than ever

What gave the XPS 14 the edge over its sibling for me is its slim profile, measuring just 14.6mm thick and weighing about three pounds. It also boasts an InfiniteEdge OLED that utilizes the entire available screen space, making it appear much larger than its relatively small size.

Dell's XPS 14 is available for purchase right now in limited configurations from the company website. Prices start $2,050. Next month, Dell will roll out additional configurations, including a new starting build that'll retail for less than $2,000. The laptop is only available in Graphic (black), but a Shimmer (silver) model will launch later in the year; an exact date was not given.

3. Acer Swift 16 AI

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

I've personally always seen Acer as a reliable, if predictable laptop brand. That mindset might change with the release of its upcoming flagship, the Swift 16 AI, which has a massive trackpad occupying nearly half of the laptop's lower portion. The oversized haptic trackpad doubles as a drawing tablet, allowing artists to sketch, animate, and model directly on the laptop without the need for extra accessories. 

Also: One of my favorite laptops from last year got a redesign I didn't see coming

It supports MPP 2.5 styluses, ensuring accurate on-screen movement, and it is also reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass for durability. Oh, and it comes with the stylus. 

Above the keyboard sits a stunning 16-inch, 3K OLED WQXGA+ display that supports the full DCI-P3 color gamut and runs at a refresh rate of 120Hz. I'm intrigued by the Swift 16 AI. The mega trackpad is a bold idea, but whether it's practical in everyday use remains to be seen.

You won't have to wait long for this laptop. The Acer Swift 16 AI will be available for purchase in North America in Q1 2026. 

4. Alienware 16 Area-51

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

Originally, I planned to highlight the updated Alienware 18 as my gaming laptop pick, but the more I dug into the lineup, I realized the Alienware 16 Area-51 deserved the spot instead. It offers many of the same flagship features as the 18-inch, just in a more manageable form. At 16 inches, it is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. My biggest complaint about the previous model was its size: too big and heavy to carry around.

Also: Should you replace your desktop with a laptop setup? I tried with this Dell, and didn't mind it

Performance-wise, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is shaping up to be a powerhouse. It'll run on Intel's Core Ultra 200Hz processors; most likely the Ultra 7 255HX and 275HX as the other option. It'll pair that CPU with Nvidia's latest gaming GPUs, up to 64GB of RAM, and a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard. What is arguably its most notable feature is the anti-glare OLED screen. According to Dell, this new panel reduces "gloss by 32%, alleviating glare, reflections", and fingerprint smudges.

There isn't a set release yet for the 2026 Alienware 16 Area-51; however, it is slated for launch sometime in Q1 2026, so pretty soon.

5. MSI Prestige 14 AI+

MSI Prestige 14 AI+

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

MSI is known primarily as a gaming laptop brand, but the company also has a strong lineup of productivity PCs. For 2026, MSI is introducing new ultrathin models in its Prestige series, which I believe will give the MacBook Air a run for its money.

Out of everything that was unveiled, the Prestige 14 AI+ stood out to me the most. It measures about half an inch thick and weighs just under three pounds. Compared to the previous generation, this upcoming laptop is roughly 0.2 inches thinner and 14 ounces lighter, a significant reduction.

Also: The biggest tech surprises of 2025: 5 products that truly impressed our editors

The upgrades don't stop there. MSI's Prestige 14 AI+ will be powered by an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H CPU, feature a 120Hz OLED screen, and incorporate a robust cooling system. As for the other models, there will also be a 16-inch Prestige that closely mirrors the 14-inch model, and a small 13-inch option for people who prioritize portability.

Many of MSI's CES 2026 laptops are available for preorder from the company's website -- except for the Prestige 14 AI+. The closest available model is the Prestige 14 Flip AI+, which features a similar configuration and a flexible hinge. It's retailing for $1,300 and will ship out on January 27. I've reached out to MSI to see if it plans on releasing the non-Flex version of the Prestige 14 AI+ in the United States. I have yet to hear back.

6. Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus series is where the company gets a little experimental. Each generation has its own unique feature not shared with any other model. The fifth generation could turn into an Android, while the sixth has a rollable display. Many of these features have been gimmicks at best, but the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist is special because its feature is actually quite practical.

Also: The best Lenovo laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Its 14-inch 2.8K OLED screen sits on a special motorized, dual-rotation hinge, giving users the ability to physically move the screen to the side. One minute, you could be typing away, and then in the next, you can swing the screen to the side for a quick presentation. Even without this feature, the laptop is shaping up to be a solid machine thanks to the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor and Dolby Atmos speakers.

Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist launches in June 2026, "with an estimated starting price of $1,649."

7. Asus ZenBook Duo

The narrower bezels around the hinge are particularly immersive if you use the laptop in vertical orientation.

Prakhar Khanna

Dual-screen laptops aren't new, but they've never really caught on, primarily because the secondary display is often too small to be truly useful. Asus is directly addressing this issue with the 2026 ZenBook Duo, a laptop with two equally sized 14-inch OLED touchscreens. Each half runs at 3K resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits. It'll be offered in multiple configurations with one build running on an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor. The laptop also ships with a detachable keyboard.

Also: Asus has a new 2026 laptop lineup, including a GoPro Edition for mobile creators

From a productivity standpoint, the appeal is obvious: it delivers the type of dual-monitor flexibility that you can get on a desktop without sacrificing the portability of a laptop. It boasts a massive 93% screen-to-body ratio, ensuring a more immersive experience. The ZenBook Duo measures nearly an inch in thickness when closed and weighs just under four pounds.

That measurement doesn't include the keyboard, so I am curious to know if the extra bulk will make the ZenBook difficult to carry. However, considering it comes with two OLEDs, I think it'll be a worthwhile trade-off.

An exact launch date or time frame for the Asus ZenBook Duo was not given, although it has been confirmed for a 2026 release.

Dell's XPS 14 earns our pick for the best laptop of CES 2026. While it's too early to fully judge its real-world performance, everything Dell has shown so far suggests it will be a standout PC that sets a new standard for 2026. It's a great fusion of a sleek, compact design, powerful hardware, and a stunning InfiniteEdge OLED screen.

That said, the XPS 14 wasn't the only model that left an impression. Every other laptop on this list pushes the boundaries in its own way and is worth highlighting.

Best Laptop of CES

Starting Price

Display

CPU

GPU

RAM

LG gram Pro 17

N/A

17-inch WQXGA+ LCD

Intel Core Ultra Series 3

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050

N/A

Dell XPS 14

$1,649

14-inch 2K OLED

Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

Intel Arc graphics card

up to 64GB

Acer Swift 16 AI

N/A

16-inch WQXGA+ OLED

Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

Up to Intel Arc B390

up to 32GB

Alienware 16 Area-51

N/A

16-inch WQXGA OLED

Intel Core Ultra 200HX series

Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

up to 64GB

MSI Prestige 14 AI+

$1,299

14-inch 2K OLED

Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

Intel Arc graphics card

up to 32GB

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist

$1,649

14-inch 2.8K OLED

Intel Core Ultra Series 3

Intel integrated GPU

up to 32GB

Asus ZenBook Duo

N/A

14-inch 3K OLED screens

Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

Intel Arc graphics card

up to 32GB

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None of these laptops are available for purchase yet, so obviously, I wasn't able to get an extended hands-on experience with them. To make my decisions, I followed the same criteria I use to pick models for my best laptops lists. I looked at the following:

• Display: A great laptop starts with a great screen. I gave major points to computers with high-resolution displays with rich color accuracy and fast refresh rates, all of which are vital for smooth workflows and immersive entertainment.
• Hardware: Many of the laptops showcased at CES 2026 feature the latest generations of processors and graphics cards, promising significant performance improvements. I also gave major points to models with the upgraded hardware.
• Features: Since some laptops have very similar specifications, it can be challenging to decide which one is best. As a tiebreaker, I examined a model's set of features to determine how they can enhance the user experience. Lenovo, for example, had a lot of great offerings, but the ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 won me over with its unique display.

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