At least annually, what occurs in Vegas is made very, very public. As the official kickoff for all of the cool high-tech and cutting-edge merchandise and traits that buyers ought to anticipate within the coming 12 months, CES is all in regards to the hype and publicity.
Surprising precisely nobody, loads of that hype included AI in all the things and robots. Some of which is legitimately thrilling.
But we’re PCWorld, so we naturally care deeply about how the most recent merchandise and improvements will impression the close to way forward for our beloved pastime. What thrilling new parts and capabilities are coming to PCs and the way a lot additional will we be capable to push them? Of course, we’re not so singularly targeted that we will’t get pumped about different tech life-style gadgetry, too.
Without additional ado, right here is our checklist of the good, most promising issues we noticed at this 12 months’s CES.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist
Mark Hachman / Foundry
I preserve enthusiastic about this Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist laptop and laughing a little bit as a result of why is it turning to have a look at me? That feels unlawful. But it’s additionally sort of excellent as a result of I by no means sit nonetheless anyway — I tempo, I fidget, I speak issues out and appear to be I’ve misplaced my thoughts. Apparently, it has a motorized hinge that simply rotates the display screen to face you relying on the place you’re within the room. So, the concept the display screen simply swivels alongside whereas I’m doing that? Weirdly interesting.
It feels a little bit too alive, too sentient, however that’s sort of the purpose. It’s not a traditional laptop computer neither is it pretending to be, which I can respect. –Ashley Biancuzzo
Core Ultra Series 3
Foundry / Mark Hachman
Intel claims that its Core Ultra Series 3 chip (Panther Lake) affords the gaming efficiency of an older Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop computer: Discrete GPU efficiency in an built-in bundle. In our first assessments, it comes shut, and upscaling and body era can take it the remainder of the way in which.
We’re not able to name a winner but within the 2026 cell CPU race, however Intel has come out robust, aggressive, and backed by the same old phalanx of consumers. It appears to be like robust to beat proper now. –Mark Hachman
Nvidia DLSS 4.5
NVIDIA
Nvidia’s DLSS is the gold customary for AI upscaling and body era, and it simply retains getting higher. The GeForce staff introduced DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026, and shock! It appears to be like superb.
Nvidia bumped the upscaling function to a second-generation “transformer” mannequin, which reinforces anti-aliasing and temporal stability whereas concurrently lowering the occasional nasty “ghosting” impact — all large wins, and people enhancements are coming to all RTX GPUs.
But it doesn’t cease there: If you could have an RTX 50-series GPU, DLSS 4.5 may even introduce “Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation” this spring. DLSS 4’s multi-frame gen function already makes janky video games really feel silky easy by inserting as much as 4 AI-generated frames between each historically rendered one. Dynamic MFG ups the ante by pushing that as much as 6x AI frames and algorithms that try to hit your screens most decision always.
Normal MFG already made 4K, 240Hz gaming attainable in 2025, not less than in the event you had a high-end GPU like an RTX 5080 or 5090. DLSS 4.5 will allow you to push issues even additional — and doubtlessly assist extra midrange playing cards just like the RTX 5070 sequence play like a dream on these god-tier shows. –Brad Chacos
HP EliteBoard
I’m very into uncommon kind components for compact computer systems—so HP’s upcoming EliteBoard, which stuffs a complete PC right into a keyboard, undoubtedly caught my eye. Talk a few sleeper PC: This 1.7lb system doesn’t instantly register as such, although it may possibly pack as much as a AMD Ryzen AI 350, 64GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. One variation even consists of its personal battery, making it a displayless laptop computer. Neat.
Whether or not you may afford to equipment this out to the max is its personal query (RAM costs, ouch), however as a PC designed for hybrid employees, I’m precisely in the suitable camp for this. I not often journey past desks with screens and peripherals, and an EliteBoard may save me a pound or two whereas traipsing forwards and backwards from the workplace to dwelling, I’d take that in a heartbeat. —Alaina Yee
Second opinion
Sometimes an thought is so easy, so apparent, that it makes you marvel why it wasn’t already a factor. That’s the sensation I had about HP’s EliteBoard. Yes, stuffing a full-fledged laptop right into a keyboard kind issue has been executed earlier than. But that is an implementation that has actual mainstream potential.
It’s not for everybody, thoughts you. But for anybody who totes a piece laptop computer between dwelling and workplace the place it will get linked to stationary peripherals (a far bigger inhabitants on this new work-from-home period) this makes loads of sense — if solely by shaving off a great chunk of a laptop computer’s weight. –Katherine Stevenson
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
In the present panorama of slowed {hardware} releases and horribly inflated costs, nothing warms my coronary heart greater than seeing laptops that prioritize repairability. Lenovo and HP each launched new laptops at CES that made a concerted effort to be extra repairable than the earlier era, and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon particularly had an vital story to inform.
Lenovo reps informed me that they have been so proud of the earlier era ThinkPad X1 Carbon that reasonably than work to attempt to make it solely millimeters thinner and ounces lighter (which you most likely wouldn’t discover anyway) they determined to give attention to optimizing the internals in order that it may be simpler to restore. During this course of an added aspect impact was that they have been really capable of match a bigger fan, which contributes to even higher cooling. So by refining what that they had they have been capable of make the X1 Carbon simply repairable, carry out higher, all whereas sacrificing nothing!
This sort of focus will enable these units to have extended life and possibly it’ll ease the cruel realities of our scenario proper now. Now, I need to encourage Lenovo and different PC distributors to carry these similar rules to consumer-based traces. I consider there’s a bigger want than they understand. —Adam Patrick Murray
Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable
Matt Smith / Foundry
An ultrawide display screen whereas on the go? That’s the dream. Just think about with the ability to write, code, browse, and stream in your sofa in wonderful 21:9, all without having any exterior litter. The Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable speaks to me as a result of I’m at first a laptop computer person who wants plenty of display screen actual property, and there’s one thing magical a few 16-inch laptop computer with a show that extends extensive as much as 24 inches. Not to say that the panel is OLED. Whew.
Okay, certain, it’s nonetheless only a idea for now, and certain, it’s going to be tremendous costly if/when it comes out. But I simply love Lenovo’s ambition in creating a laptop computer like this. And given the relative success of the ThinkBook Plus Rollable, I believe the Legion Pro Rollable may even manifest as actual. This factor isn’t a gimmick—it’s practical. And if different makers begin following up with their very own ultrawides, we’ll all have Lenovo to thank for it. –Joel Lee
Asus ROG Kithara gaming headset
Asus
The Audeze Maxwell has largely been dubbed the perfect sounding gaming headset for some time now due to its particular drivers. While most gaming headsets have neodymium drivers, the Audeze has planar magnetic drivers for higher audio constancy. But now CES 2026 has produced a brand new contender, the Asus ROG Kithara, which additionally has planar magnetic drivers. What’s extra, this headset has an open-backed design which Asus says permits for higher sound separation in contrast with headsets with enclosed earcups. This headset goes all out as an audiophile-grade product so it’ll be fascinating to see if it may possibly reside as much as expectations. The Audeze is eye-wateringly costly although, so right here’s additionally hoping the Kithara in all fairness priced when costs lastly drop. –Dominic Bayley
Asus ROG Flow Z13 Hideo Kojima version
It’s been a reasonably quiet CES on my entrance. I didn’t see something PC-related that simply blew me away. But probably the most fascinating thingamabob that caught my eye was the Kojima edition of the Asus ROG Flow Z13. The gaming pill nonetheless isn’t one thing I’d purchase for myself — even with the superb Ryzen AI Max+ 395 for an influence plant, and sufficient graphical oomph to make a Steam Deck weep, it’s nonetheless working on built-in graphics.
But who cares. This Kojima Productions version of the pill is all about type, with graphics and carbon fiber elaborations designed by legendary Metal Gear sequence artist Yoji Shinkawa. The pill and Surface-style keyboard are attractive, however the included customized briefcase is the star of the present. It appears to be like like one thing that fell proper off of Sam Porter Bridges’ again.
I don’t know what number of of those restricted version Z13 tablets might be made, or how a lot they’ll value once they develop into out there. But I need one deep in my gamer soul. –Michael Crider
Fraimic E Ink Canvas
Fraimic
One of my favourite gadgets to come back out of CES 2026 is the Fraimic E Ink Canvas. It’s a framed canvas that each generates AI artwork or permits you to add your personal artwork, as properly. This may not be the primary time we’ve seen one thing of this type, however the Fraimic units itself aside with some cool, distinctive options and a less expensive price ticket.
Right off the bat, there is no such thing as a subscription required. You’re allowed 100 free OpenAI artwork creations per 12 months, and you should buy extra in the event you so select. Additionally, if AI artwork isn’t your factor, you may add your personal photos both by way of Fraimic’s web site or domestically as an alternative. The canvas additionally permits you to swap out the body itself and there aren’t any fiddly apps to mess with. Oh, and the perfect half is that it comes with “voice-to-vision” management, the place you may describe precisely what artwork you need it to create and it’ll seem onscreen in just a few seconds.
The Fraimic makes use of a 13.3-inch Spectra 6 E Ink show with a decision of 200 dots per inch and solely makes use of battery when altering the show, so theoretically the battery life might be years. Similar to a coloration E-paper pill, the photographs on the show are nice with a type of muted, desaturated look extra like correctly aged work.
The customary canvas show is already open for pre-orders and can set you again $399 with models anticipated to ship out this spring. –Sam Singleton
Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM / LG panel with 240Hz RGB stripe pixel construction
This is a joint award. LG debuted a boundary-pushing new OLED panel at CES 2026, and Asus was busy displaying it off within the type of the delectable ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM.
OLED screens are drop-dead attractive, leaving your jaw on the ground if you’re gaming or watching movies, however they’ve historically had a lingering disadvantage: Middling textual content efficiency. With the way in which conventional OLED subpixels work, textual content on web page can seem a bit blurry and jagged, a time period often called fringing. But LG’s new panel with its 240Hz “RGB stripe pixel structure” waves goodbye to that bugbear, offering a massively noticeable enchancment in textual content readability. Just have a look at this close-up of the ROG Swift! It appears to be like regular — a giant enchancment over conventional OLED.
If you need to study extra in regards to the underlying expertise, check out my eyes-on with LG’s bleeding-edge OLED displays (this ain’t the one one!). But take my phrase for it: The distinction can’t be missed. It’s superior. –Brad Chacos
GameSir Shift Drive
When I noticed the press launch for GameSir’s revolutionary Shift Drive controller, I used to be skeptical (to say the least). Who desires a miniature racing wheel plunked down in the midst of a gamepad? But after taking part in round with it myself at CES, I can undoubtedly say: I certain do!
While the Shift Drive I attempted is simply a near-final engineering pattern, it’s already clear that GameSir by some means nailed it. The controller feels surprisingly comfy in hand, with the wheel falling naturally below your thumb. Better but, the wheel has simply the correct quantity of tactical suggestions for a semi-racing wheel; it responds sturdily but simply to your strikes, with out getting so free that racing feels sloppy. Best but? That wheel additionally packs drive suggestions haptics so you may really feel each bump within the highway and crack in your flipped-over automobiles body. –Brad Chacos
Ventiva/Compal laptop computer reference design
Ventiva’s futuristic cooling expertise was first seen final 12 months at CES, however in 2026, the corporate is displaying off a reference laptop computer design produced in a partnership with Compal that excites me in all types of the way.
First, I’m excited by a future that strikes previous tiny followers and permits for radical new {hardware} designs because of utterly novel methods to chill units. I had an opportunity to go to Ventiva’s labs in Fremont, California final 12 months to study extra about its ICE expertise, and one in all my takeaways was that PC distributors can utterly rethink how they design skinny and light-weight units like laptops and gaming handhelds with these new cooling applied sciences. The downside? What we’ve seen over the previous few years from corporations like Frore and even Ventiva have primarily been retrofits of present units — and due to this fact aren’t permitting for the complete capabilities. So Ventiva had the intense thought to design their very own laptop computer (produced by Compal) to totally showcase the advantages of their cooling system. And if what Ventiva says is true, it performs in addition to different Core Ultra Series 3 units however with utterly silent operation. Exciting stuff!
But the enjoyable doesn’t cease there. In order to showcase how the ICE cooling units have been applied within the laptop computer, they added translucent plastic throughout the again of the system. That alone made me gasp. I went to highschool within the 90’s, so clear units hit dwelling in a approach that I don’t care to share. Now all I can take into consideration is how this 100% must be a pattern within the laptop computer house. The new Lenovo Rollable options this as properly, so I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll see much more within the coming 12 months. — Adam Patrick Murray
Jackery Solar Mars Bot
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Billed as “a mobile solar-storage bot that finds the sun, charges itself, and delivers power wherever you need it,” the autonomous Jackery Solar Mars Bot rover did precisely that in a tantalizing demonstration.
A vivid gentle within the nook of the sales space simulated the solar’s rays and periodically repositioned to level at totally different factors of the ground. The Solar Mars Bot recognized the place the sunshine was beaming every time with mosquito-like quickness, then scooted over to the brand new location earlier than settling all the way down to soak in these scrumptious energy-providing rays. The swing arm atop the bot has 4 photo voltaic panels that may fold out for max energy draw, and the aspect pops open to disclose a bevy of ports to maintain all of your units charged.
It jogs my memory of a cat lounging within the path of a sunbeam — in case your cat was a robotic that might preserve all of your units charged in electricity-deprived areas (or a zombie apocalypse). –Brad Chacos
Second opinion
Call me a suspicious kind, however I haven’t completely purchased into the thought of robotic helpers but. Would I really like a Rosey to cook dinner and clear for me? Absolutely. Do I believe we’re there but? Not fairly, however you already know what, the Jackery Solar Mars Bot is making me rethink my place a little bit.
I are inclined to neglect to recharge all my tech units (together with transportable batteries) repeatedly, which suggests typically I’m left with out energy when the native utility inevitably blows a transformer or in any other case goes down. (Thanks, however no thanks, PG&E.) But this solar-powered bot takes care of the work — it finds daylight to cost itself up. When my boss Brad Chacos had a have a look at it on the CES conference present flooring, it adopted the “sun” (gentle simulating the solar’s rays) across the sales space, just like the lowest-maintenance cat in existence. Sounds good to me. —Alaina Yee