CES 2025 Unlocks Gaming Laptop Evolution

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

Diverse Design Language

While gaming laptops have always offered stylistic variety, this year felt particularly diverse. 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, while others, like the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, proudly display their gaming pedigree through bold graphics.

RGB lighting remains a staple, with innovative implementations like wrap-around rings, illuminated keyboards, and even trackpad lighting. Asus ROG Strix Scar's AniME Dot Matrix LED display, capable of displaying text and animations, is a standout example. Expect a continued evolution of existing designs alongside new form factors.

The Rise of AI Assistants

AI integration in laptops progressed significantly. Several vendors unveiled AI assistants designed for hands-free PC control, eliminating the need for manual software adjustments. One demonstration showcased an MSI assistant automatically optimizing performance settings based on the specified game. While the practicality and speed advantage over manual adjustments remain to be seen, this technology shows promise.

Mini-LED, Rollable Screens, and Other Innovations

Mini-LED technology is gaining traction, with Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte showcasing high-end models. These laptops boast over 1,100 local dimming zones, resulting in superior contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. While OLED still holds an edge in contrast, Mini-LED offers higher sustained brightness and avoids burn-in risks.

The ASUS ROG Flow X13 returns with USB4 eGPU support, eliminating proprietary connections. Asus showcased compatibility with a new eGPU featuring up to an RTX 5090.

Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, though not strictly a gaming laptop, is a groundbreaking device with a rollable OLED display. While the initial iteration presents durability concerns, it represents a significant leap in laptop design.

Ultrabooks Dominate the Gaming Landscape

Ultrabook-style gaming laptops are increasingly prevalent. Major manufacturers are adopting this thin, light, and aesthetically minimalist design. Gigabyte's revamped Aero series exemplifies this trend. These machines offer a balance between portability and gaming capabilities, especially for users who don't require maximum settings on the latest titles. The integration of powerful integrated graphics and upscaling technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS further enhances their gaming potential. This raises questions about the long-term viability of lower-performance dedicated GPUs like the RTX 4050M.

Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now provide additional gaming options, reducing the reliance on high-powered hardware.

The gaming laptop market is dynamic and evolving. These are just some of the notable trends observed at CES 2024. We will continue to cover these and other developments throughout the year.