The Gaming Laptop Trends of CES 2025

CES 2024 showcased a dazzling array of gaming laptops, revealing several key trends shaping the future of portable gaming.

A Diverse Landscape of Designs

This year's gaming laptop designs were exceptionally diverse. Brands like Gigabyte and MSI blurred the lines between productivity and gaming machines, highlighting a shift towards offering more than just raw power. This resulted in a wider range of aesthetics. The Gigabyte Aero series exemplified sleek, professional designs suitable for any office, while others, such as the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, proudly displayed their gaming pedigree with bold graphics.

RGB lighting remained a prominent feature, with laptops boasting wrap-around rings, illuminated keyboards, and even trackpad lighting. The Asus ROG Strix Scar series stood out with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display, capable of showcasing text and animations on the lid. While not revolutionary, the year saw a fascinating mix of designs, from large and powerful to thin and light, catering to diverse preferences.

The Rise of AI Assistants

AI integration took center stage, with several vendors showcasing AI assistants designed to streamline PC control without requiring manual software adjustments. An MSI demonstration showcased an AI assistant automatically optimizing performance settings based on the selected game. While the practical benefits remain to be seen, and offline functionality needs clarification, the potential for simplified control is intriguing.

Mini-LED, Rollable Screens, and Other Innovations

Mini-LED technology made significant strides, with Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte showcasing high-end laptops featuring this technology. These laptops boasted over 1,100 local dimming zones, resulting in stunning brightness, vivid colors, and reduced blooming. While OLED still reigns supreme in contrast, Mini-LED offers a compelling alternative without the risk of burn-in.

Novelty also took the stage. The ASUS ROG Flow X13 returned with eGPU support via USB4, eliminating proprietary connections and paving the way for powerful external graphics cards like the rumored RTX 5090. Asus also displayed its Zenbook Duo, a dual-screen productivity laptop. However, Lenovo stole the show with the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the first notebook with a rollable OLED display. While its durability remains a concern, this innovative design expands screen real estate with the push of a button.

Ultrabooks: A Gaming Powerhouse

Ultrabooks continued their rise, even within the gaming sector. Major manufacturers offered thin, light, and premium gaming laptops. Gigabyte's updated Aero line exemplifies this trend. These machines offer a balance between portability and gaming capabilities, particularly for users who don't require maximum settings on the latest titles. The performance of modern integrated graphics, coupled with technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, allows for surprisingly playable experiences, potentially reducing the need for lower-end dedicated graphics cards like the RTX 4050M. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now further enhance the appeal of these versatile machines.

The future of gaming laptops looks bright, with numerous exciting developments on the horizon. We’ll be closely following these trends throughout the year. What were your standout impressions from CES 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below!