The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week unveiled a wave of next-generation laptops, pushing the boundaries of performance, portability, and modular design. While processor upgrades from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm are standard fare—promising faster AI processing and improved battery life—the most significant shifts lie in form factor and repairability.
The Race for Ultra-Portability
Manufacturers are aggressively pursuing thinner and lighter designs, with many models echoing the success of the ultra-lightweight Asus Zenbook A14. This trend signals a clear consumer demand for maximum portability without sacrificing power. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition, weighing in at a remarkable 2.15 pounds, exemplifies this push, boasting a vibrant 2.8K flexible OLED display and high-end Intel Core Ultra X9 Series 3 processing power.
Modularity Moves Mainstream
For the first time, mainstream laptop makers are seriously addressing repairability. Dell, HP, and Lenovo are increasing modularity in their enterprise lines, allowing easier component replacements and repairs. Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition stands out with its fully modular design, letting users swap out components like keyboards, speakers, and even ports. This marks a significant departure from the historical resistance to user-accessible repairs within the industry.
Screen Innovations: From Dual Displays to Rollable Tech
Asus and Lenovo continue to lead in experimental display technologies. Asus refined its dual-screen Zenbook Duo with slimmer hinges and brighter OLED panels. Meanwhile, Lenovo is pushing the boundaries with rollable displays, showcasing both a business-focused ThinkPad Rollable XD and a gaming-oriented Legion Pro Rollable—concepts that could soon become reality, following Lenovo’s track record of bringing prototypes to market.
The Price of Progress: An AI-Driven Cost Increase
Despite the innovation, the looming shadow of an AI-induced RAM shortage threatens to drive up laptop prices. Manufacturers like Acer and Asus are delaying pricing announcements, and others are offering only estimated costs. This suggests that consumers should anticipate price hikes in the coming months as demand for AI-capable hardware surges.
Standout Laptops of CES 2026
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition: Best overall, featuring a fully modular design for easy repairs. ($1,999 estimated starting price)
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Ultra Aura Edition: The lightest laptop ever held, boasting a 2.8K OLED display. ($1,499.99 estimated starting price)
- Asus Zenbook Duo: A refined dual-screen laptop with improved design and brighter displays.
- Asus Zenbook A16: A supersized version of last year’s ultralight winner, equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip.
- Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist: A business laptop with a motorized twisting hinge, offering seamless transitions between laptop and tablet modes. ($1,649 estimated starting price)
- Dell XPS 14 and 16: Dell’s dramatic revival of the XPS line with improved design, physical function rows, and modular ports. ($2,049.99 and $2,199.99 starting prices)
- Asus ExpertBook Ultra: An ultra-thin enterprise laptop that rivals the MacBook Air in portability and performance.
These laptops demonstrate a clear shift toward modularity, ultra-portability, and innovative display technologies. Despite the looming price increases, the innovations on display at CES 2026 point toward a future where laptops are not only more powerful but also more repairable and adaptable to individual user needs.
