The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) never fails to showcase an array of innovative laptops, and this year was particularly exciting for gaming enthusiasts. I explored the show floor and various suites to uncover the leading trends shaping gaming laptops in the current year. Here are the key themes that stood out in the realm of gaming laptops at CES.

A Huge Diversity of Designs

Gaming laptops have always been diverse in their aesthetics, but this year's offerings seemed particularly expansive. Brands like Gigabyte and MSI are increasingly blending the lines between productivity and gaming, pushing the envelope in design. High-end gaming laptops are now expected to offer something beyond raw hardware performance.

This year, you can anticipate a broader spectrum of gaming laptop designs. From the sleek and professional-looking Gigabyte Aero series, perfect for a business setting, to the visually striking MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition with its bold graphics on the lid, there's something for every taste.

RGB lighting remains a staple, with innovative implementations such as wrap-around lighting rings, illuminated mechanical keyboards, and even trackpad lights. The Asus ROG Strix Scar series caught my eye with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display on the lid, capable of showing text and animations through a series of white LEDs.

While the core designs remain familiar, expect to see some novelties alongside the typical range of bulky to slim laptops with varying hardware configurations.

AI Assistants are Coming

Last year, AI features started appearing in laptops, though their integration often fell short. This year, several vendors introduced AI Assistants designed to enhance user experience by allowing control of the PC without manually opening software.

In a demonstration, an MSI representative showed how their chatbot could adjust performance settings to match the intensity of a game based on the user's request. However, I remain skeptical about the practical benefits of these AI systems, especially since it's unclear if they operate entirely offline. It's yet to be seen how these features will perform once fully implemented.

Mini-LED, Rollable Displays and Other Novelties

Mini-LED technology is making significant strides in the gaming laptop market. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte displayed Mini-LED laptops with top-tier specifications and premium pricing. These devices boasted over 1,100 local dimming zones for reduced blooming and enhanced contrast, along with impressive brightness and color accuracy. While OLED still excels in contrast, Mini-LED offers advantages like no burn-in risk and higher sustained brightness, and I'm eager to see more of these models in the market soon.

Novelties were also on display. The ASUS ROG Flow X13, returning after a brief hiatus, now supports eGPUs through USB4, simplifying connectivity. It was shown connected to a new eGPU with up to an RTX 5090, offering a powerful boost to gaming performance.

Asus also showcased the Zenbook Duo, a dual-screen productivity laptop, but Lenovo took the spotlight with the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, featuring the first rollable OLED display in a notebook. A button press extends the 14-inch screen by an additional 2.7 inches. While the design looks somewhat awkward and raises durability concerns as a first-generation product, it's a promising innovation that could evolve with time and further development by other manufacturers.

Ultrabooks Continue to Rise, Even for Gaming

Ultrabooks are becoming increasingly prevalent, even within gaming line-ups. Major manufacturers now offer gaming laptops in this category, characterized by their thin, light, and premium minimalist design. Gigabyte, for instance, has transformed its Aero series into an Ultrabook form factor, which impressed me with its sleek appearance.

This trend makes sense for gamers who don't need the highest settings for the latest games. Ultrabooks provide a portable solution that's excellent for productivity while still capable of gaming. My review of the Asus TUF Gaming A14 last year demonstrated that these machines can even incorporate dedicated graphics cards without losing their portability advantage.

Moreover, with the right settings adjustments, you might not need a dedicated graphics card at all. The latest AMD and Intel processors feature impressive integrated graphics and performance-enhancing technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, making it possible to run demanding games adequately. For casual gamers, this could be sufficient, raising questions about the necessity of lower-end dedicated GPUs like the RTX 4050M.

Additionally, cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now have matured to a level where you can enjoy a great gaming experience without needing a dedicated gaming laptop.

The CES showcased numerous exciting developments in gaming laptops, and we'll continue to cover these trends throughout the year. What caught your attention? Share your thoughts in the comments below!