CES (Consumer Electronics Show), the world’s largest client tech expo, will kick off on January sixth, 2026. It’s a notoriously gigantic occasion full of the whole lot from robotic pet doorways to self-driving vehicles, and there’s all the time a ton of laptop computer information amid the noise.
CES 2026 may very well be a very tumultuous present. In fall of 2025, Qualcomm and Intel confirmed off new chip designs that have been set to seem in laptops introduced at CES 2026. While AMD has but to make comparable bulletins, there’s been no scarcity of leaks.
New laptop computer chips in fact result in new laptop computer designs, which I count on to proceed the laptop computer market’s current trend of weird and experimental concepts. However, excessive reminiscence costs might 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 effectively into 2026.
Now 2026 is simply across the nook and CES will undoubtedly be full of new Snapdragon X2 designs. The most excessive designs could have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme with 18 CPU cores, an improved X2-90 built-in GPU, and 228 GB/s of reminiscence bandwidth.
Mark Hachman / Foundry
As previously reported by PCWorld’s Mark Hachman, preliminary checks of the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme in Cinebench 2024 discovered it might attain a multi-core rating of 1,967. That’s over twice the velocity of a Microsoft Surface Laptop 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 may translate to real-world outcomes. Still, it appears probably that laptops with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme might be high performers, no less than in multi-threaded CPU benchmarks.
Qualcomm may also 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?
Of course, Qualcomm received’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 firms. Like Qualcomm, Intel hosted a preview occasion for its upcoming Panther Lake architecture in fall of 2025. High-end processors based mostly on the structure could have as much as 16 CPU cores, and Panther Lake chips might be launched as “Intel Core Series 3.”
Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry
GPU efficiency appears to be a specific focus. Intel says the very best 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 might put Intel in a robust place for buyers who need a mid-range laptop computer that deftly balances gaming with productiveness efficiency.
AMD has been extra reserved about its upcoming Gorgon Point chips. While AMD has supplied vague roadmaps of the company’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 Point will be a relatively minor refresh of present Strix Point chips. CPU core counts and GPU counts are anticipated to be comparable or an identical to prior fashions, although we might even see clock velocity will increase and NPU upgrades. The first benchmark leaks additionally hint at modest performance improvements. 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.
Weird 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. (Only Computex tends to see extra oddball designs.) In current years, although, a brand new development has emerged: the bizarre laptop computer ideas at CES are coming to retailer cabinets as absolutely fashioned—and infrequently quite good—client laptops.
IDG / Chris Hoffman
Recent examples of this development embody Lenovo’s Rollable OLED laptop, dual-screen laptops from Asus, and glasses-free 3D displays in Acer laptops. What’s outstanding is that these concepts didn’t simply make their approach to retail laptops—they’re good! The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable and Asus Zenbook Duo each received PCWorld’s Editors’ Choice award.
The laptops we’ll see at CES 2026 are nonetheless below wraps, in fact, however I believe there’s nonetheless loads of room for producers to enhance on OLED panels, each in refresh price and brightness. And then there are versatile OLED panels, an space that’s but to be absolutely explored.
Asus
I additionally count on Windows laptops to turn into extra luxurious, even at cheaper price factors. This is a development pushed primarily by Asus, Dell, and Lenovo, who’ve proven a specific aptitude and willingness to pursue extra premium supplies (such as Ceraluminum by Asus). Obviously, premium designs are all the time a perk—I’m simply anticipating them to realize much more traction, maybe as a approach for laptop computer makers to compensate for a massively worrying drawback that’ll solid a protracted shadow over CES 2026.
Laptop costs aren’t happening
If you haven’t heard, RAM prices are skyrocketing. The AI knowledge heart growth has created large demand for reminiscence, and reminiscence makers have pivoted to satisfy that demand, leaving shoppers 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 effectively.
Framework
Most laptops that’ll be introduced in January at CES 2026 received’t present up in shops till no less than February, and plenty of received’t even seem till May or June. I count on laptop computer makers will play it protected and refuse to announce pricing specifics till very near launch.
Pricing may additionally affect the quantity of reminiscence in laptops. I actually count on 16GB and 32GB configurations to stay the norm, however 64GB and better might be reserved for less than the costliest, highest-performance machines. I’m uncertain that rumors of downgrades to 8GB of RAM will prove true, however finances configurations might actually be pushed in that path if the present worth hikes persist.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
The AI-driven reminiscence scarcity can be affecting the costs of SSDs, which then places much more stress on laptop computer costs. That might make it extraordinarily tough to seek out moderately priced laptops with greater than 1TB of SSD storage, making 256GB and 512GB choices extra frequent.
It’s an unlucky state of affairs. Qualcomm’s continued dedication to laptops means extra selection for shoppers, which might usually drive costs down. Yet elevated reminiscence pricing places stress on all laptops, regardless of the {hardware} inside. Once CES 2026 is over, we’ll have a greater thought how the pricing chaos might shake out by subsequent 12 months—and I don’t suppose it’s going to be encouraging.
Further studying: 6 laptop trends we’re excited about right now