The Gaming Laptop Trends of CES 2025

CES 2024 showcased a plethora of gaming laptops, revealing key trends shaping the market. This year's offerings demonstrated a remarkable evolution in design, integration of AI, and innovative display technologies.

Design Diversity: A Spectrum of Styles

Gaming laptops exhibited a broader stylistic range than ever before. Manufacturers like Gigabyte and MSI blurred the lines between productivity and gaming machines. High-end models emphasized aesthetic appeal beyond raw hardware capabilities. This resulted in a diverse selection, from sleek, professional-looking laptops like the Gigabyte Aero series, to visually striking machines like the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, featuring bold graphics.

RGB lighting remained a prominent feature, with creative 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 displaying text and animations. While not revolutionary, the year showcased interesting innovations alongside the usual spectrum of form factors, from large and powerful to thin and light.

The Rise of AI Assistants

AI integration in laptops advanced significantly. Several vendors presented AI assistants enabling PC control without opening dedicated software. An MSI demonstration showcased an AI assistant automatically optimizing performance settings based on the chosen game. While the practicality and speed advantages over manual adjustments remain to be seen, this technology promises potential benefits.

Display Innovations: Mini-LED and Beyond

Mini-LED technology gained significant traction, featured in flagship laptops from Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte. These models boasted over 1,100 local dimming zones, resulting in superior contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. While OLED still offers unparalleled contrast, Mini-LED's lack of burn-in risk and higher sustained brightness make it a compelling alternative.

Novel display technologies were also present. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 returned with USB4 eGPU support, eliminating proprietary connections. Asus also displayed its Zenbook Duo dual-screen laptop. However, Lenovo stole the show with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the first notebook with a rollable OLED display. While its durability and aesthetic appeal remain to be fully evaluated, it represents a significant step in display innovation.

Ultrabooks: Gaming's New Mainstream

Ultrabook gaming laptops are gaining popularity, offered by major manufacturers. Gigabyte's updated Aero line exemplifies this trend. These thin, light, and stylish laptops are ideal for users who don't require maximum settings in the latest games, providing a balance of portability and gaming capabilities. The increasing power of integrated graphics from AMD and Intel, coupled with upscaling technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, makes this a viable option for casual gaming. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now further enhance this trend, offering high-quality gaming experiences without requiring dedicated gaming hardware.

CES 2024 unveiled a wave of exciting advancements in gaming laptops. The future promises even more innovative designs and technologies. What were your standout impressions from the show? Share your thoughts in the comments!