CES 2025: Latest Gaming Laptop Trends Unveiled

CES never disappoints when it comes to showcasing the latest in laptop technology, and this year's event was no different. I spent countless hours exploring the show floor, suites, and showrooms to uncover the most significant trends shaping the gaming laptops of 2024. Here are the key themes that defined this year's offerings in the gaming laptop space.

A Huge Diversity of Designs

The variety in gaming laptop designs has always been impressive, but 2024 brought an even greater level of diversity. This trend is driven by brands like Gigabyte and MSI, which are increasingly blending productivity and gaming aesthetics. High-end gaming laptops are now expected to offer something beyond just raw power.

Expect to see a wider range of gaming laptops this year. For instance, the Gigabyte Aero series stands out with its sleek, professional look that wouldn't be out of place in a business meeting. On the other end of the spectrum, the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition boasts bold graphics on its lid, making a clear statement about its gaming prowess.

RGB lighting continues to be a staple in many gaming laptops. From wrap-around lighting rings to illuminated mechanical keyboards, side-lights, rear-lights, and even trackpad lights, the Asus ROG Strix Scar series particularly impressed with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display on the lid, capable of showing text, animations, and more.

While the core designs remain familiar, expect to see some novel and interesting variations alongside the traditional range of bulky, high-performance laptops and sleek, lightweight models with diverse hardware options.

AI Assistants are Coming

Last year, AI was a buzzword in the laptop industry, but the implementations often fell short. This year, however, several vendors showcased AI Assistants designed to enhance user control without the need to manually open software.

In a compelling demonstration, an MSI representative showed how the AI chatbot could adjust performance settings based on the user's game preferences, automatically switching to the highest performance mode for intense gameplay. While I remain skeptical about the efficiency of these systems compared to manual adjustments, especially if they're meant to work offline, their potential is undeniable. We'll need to see how these features evolve and perform in real-world scenarios.

Mini-LED, Rollable Displays and Other Novelties

Mini-LED technology is finally making a significant impact in the gaming laptop market. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte all displayed Mini-LED laptops with top-tier specs and premium pricing. These laptops boast over 1,100 local dimming zones, reducing blooming and enhancing contrast, along with exceptional brightness and vibrant colors. While OLED still leads in contrast, Mini-LED's resistance to burn-in and higher sustained brightness make it an exciting development for future models.

In addition to Mini-LED, there were other innovative displays. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 returns with eGPU support via USB4, paired with a new eGPU boasting up to an RTX 5090. Asus also showcased the Zenbook Duo, a dual-screen productivity laptop. However, Lenovo stole the show with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the first laptop with a rollable OLED display. With a simple button press, its 14-inch screen expands by an additional 2.7 inches. Though the first-generation product raises durability concerns, it's a groundbreaking step that promises future improvements.

Ultrabooks Continue to Rise, Even for Gaming

Ultrabooks are increasingly prevalent, even in gaming line-ups. Major manufacturers now offer thin, light, and minimalist designs, such as Gigabyte's revamped Aero series, which excels in both aesthetics and performance.

This trend makes sense for gamers who don't require the highest settings for the latest games. Ultrabooks allow for gaming on the go while maintaining productivity. My review of the Asus TUF Gaming A14 last year highlighted that these machines can include dedicated graphics cards without sacrificing portability.

For those willing to tweak settings, the latest AMD and Intel processors offer surprising gaming capabilities, as demonstrated by recent handheld devices. With features like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, along with frame generation, even demanding games can become playable. This raises questions about the necessity of lower-performance chips like the RTX 4050M.

Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now further enhance the appeal of these ultrabooks, offering a robust gaming experience without the need for a dedicated gaming laptop.

The gaming laptop landscape in 2024 is brimming with exciting developments. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the year. What trends caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the comments below!