CES 2026 will carry quicker, stranger laptops. Simply do not count on them to be low cost
CES (Client Electronics Present), the world’s largest client tech expo, will kick off on January sixth, 2026. It’s a notoriously gigantic occasion full of every little thing from robotic pet doorways to self-driving vehicles, and there’s at all times a ton of laptop computer information amid the noise.
CES 2026 could possibly be a very tumultuous present. In fall of 2025, Qualcomm and Intel confirmed off new chip designs that have been set to look in laptops introduced at CES 2026. Whereas AMD has but to make related bulletins, there’s been no scarcity of leaks.
New laptop computer chips after all result in new laptop computer designs, which I count on to proceed the laptop computer market’s present development of bizarre and experimental ideas. Nonetheless, excessive reminiscence costs could spoil the present.
Qualcomm takes on excessive efficiency
Qualcomm introduced its next-generation Snapdragon X2 chips all the best way again in September 2025. It was an early announcement, and Qualcomm stated none would ship till properly into 2026.
Now 2026 is simply across the nook and CES will undoubtedly be full of new Snapdragon X2 designs. Essentially the most excessive designs could have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Excessive with 18 CPU cores, an improved X2-90 built-in GPU, and 228 GB/s of reminiscence bandwidth.
Mark Hachman / Foundry
As beforehand reported by PCWorld’s Mark Hachman, preliminary checks of the Snapdragon X2 Elite Excessive in Cinebench 2024 discovered it might attain a multi-core rating of 1,967. That’s over twice the velocity of a Microsoft Floor Laptop computer with the Snapdragon X Elite, and in addition roughly twice as quick as AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.
This is just one check, although, and it was carried out on a reference design supplied by Qualcomm, so it stays to be seen how this can translate to real-world outcomes. Nonetheless, it appears seemingly that laptops with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Excessive will probably be high performers, at the very least in multi-threaded CPU benchmarks.
Qualcomm can even have extra mid-range X2 Elite variants, and I count on we’ll see each main laptop computer maker showcase a number of Qualcomm-powered designs.
What about Intel and AMD chips?
After all, Qualcomm gained’t have CES 2026 all to itself. We’ll additionally see a variety of laptops with new Intel and AMD silicon inside.
Intel seems to be the extra aggressive of the 2 corporations. Like Qualcomm, Intel hosted a preview occasion for its upcoming Panther Lake structure in fall of 2025. Excessive-end processors based mostly on the structure could have as much as 16 CPU cores, and Panther Lake chips will probably be launched as “Intel Core Sequence 3.”
Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry
GPU efficiency appears to be a selected focus. Intel says the perfect Panther Lake chips could have as much as 12 Xe3 graphics cores and supply as much as 50% higher efficiency over Intel’s Lunar Lake structure, which was already a pacesetter in built-in graphics. That would put Intel in a powerful place for consumers who desire a mid-range laptop computer that deftly balances gaming with productiveness efficiency.
AMD has been extra reserved about its upcoming Gorgon Level chips. Whereas AMD has supplied obscure roadmaps of the corporate’s future plans, no specifics have been launched within the run as much as CES 2026.
AMD
On the unofficial aspect of issues, we’ve seen leaks that recommend Gorgon Level will probably be a comparatively minor refresh of current Strix Level chips. CPU core counts and GPU counts are anticipated to be related or equivalent to prior fashions, although we may even see clock velocity will increase and NPU upgrades. The primary benchmark leaks additionally trace at modest efficiency enhancements. These AMD chips are prone to be launched because the Ryzen AI 400 sequence, with leaks pointing to mannequin names like Ryzen AI 9 465.
Bizarre laptop computer designs
CES and bizarre laptops go hand-in-hand, because the conference is a venue for formidable laptop computer makers to check out new ideas. (Solely Computex tends to see extra oddball designs.) In recent times, although, a brand new development has emerged: the bizarre laptop computer ideas at CES are coming to retailer cabinets as totally shaped—and sometimes slightly good—client laptops.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Current examples of this development embody Lenovo’s Rollable OLED laptop computer, dual-screen laptops from Asus, and glasses-free 3D shows in Acer laptops. What’s exceptional is that these concepts didn’t simply make their strategy to retail laptops—they’re good! The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable and Asus Zenbook Duo each gained PCWorld’s Editors’ Alternative award.
The laptops we’ll see at CES 2026 are nonetheless below wraps, after all, however I feel there’s nonetheless loads of room for producers to enhance on OLED panels, each in refresh fee and brightness. After which there are versatile OLED panels, an space that’s but to be totally explored.
Asus
I additionally count on Home windows laptops to change into extra luxurious, even at lower cost factors. This can be a development pushed primarily by Asus, Dell, and Lenovo, who’ve proven a selected aptitude and willingness to pursue extra premium supplies (reminiscent of Ceraluminum by Asus). Clearly, premium designs are at all times a perk—I’m simply anticipating them to achieve much more traction, maybe as a manner for laptop computer makers to compensate for a massively worrying downside that’ll forged an extended shadow over CES 2026.
Laptop computer costs aren’t taking place
In the event you haven’t heard, RAM costs are skyrocketing. The AI information heart increase has created big demand for reminiscence, and reminiscence makers have pivoted to satisfy that demand, leaving customers within the chilly. Small PC maker Framework has already raised RAM pricing, and credible rumors recommend bigger laptop computer makers are about to take action as properly.
Framework
Most laptops that’ll be introduced in January at CES 2026 gained’t present up in shops till at the very least February, and plenty of gained’t even seem till Might or June. I count on laptop computer makers will play it protected and refuse to announce pricing specifics till very near launch.
Pricing might also influence the quantity of reminiscence in laptops. I actually count on 16GB and 32GB configurations to stay the norm, however 64GB and better will probably be reserved for under the costliest, highest-performance machines. I’m uncertain that rumors of downgrades to 8GB of RAM will show true, however finances configurations might actually be pushed in that route if the present value hikes persist.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
The AI-driven reminiscence scarcity can also be affecting the costs of SSDs, which then places much more strain on laptop computer costs. That would make it extraordinarily troublesome to search out moderately priced laptops with greater than 1TB of SSD storage, making 256GB and 512GB choices extra widespread.
It’s an unlucky state of affairs. Qualcomm’s continued dedication to laptops means extra selection for customers, which might usually drive costs down. But elevated reminiscence pricing places strain on all laptops, regardless of the {hardware} inside. As soon as CES 2026 is over, we’ll have a greater concept how the pricing chaos might shake out by subsequent yr—and I don’t assume it’s going to be encouraging.
Additional studying: 6 laptop computer tendencies we’re enthusiastic about proper now
