CES 2024 showcased a stunning array of gaming laptops, revealing several key trends shaping the future of mobile gaming. The sheer diversity of designs was striking.
A Diverse Landscape of Gaming Laptop Designs
While gaming laptops have always offered a variety of styles, this year felt different. Brands like Gigabyte and MSI are blurring the lines between productivity and gaming machines, demanding more than just raw power. This translates to a wider range of aesthetics. Laptops like the Gigabyte Aero series offer sleek, professional designs suitable for any business setting, while others, such as the MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, proudly display their gaming pedigree with bold graphics.
RGB lighting remains a central feature, with laptops boasting wrap-around rings, illuminated keyboards, and even trackpad lights. The Asus ROG Strix Scar series impressed with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display, capable of displaying text and animations on the lid. While not revolutionary, expect a blend of familiar form factors—from large and powerful to thin and light—alongside innovative designs.
The Rise of AI Assistants
AI integration in laptops made strides this year, moving beyond basic features. Several vendors demonstrated AI assistants capable of controlling PC settings without manual intervention. An MSI representative showcased an assistant automatically optimizing performance settings based on the chosen game. While the practical benefits remain to be seen—the speed advantage over manual adjustment wasn't immediately clear—the potential for streamlined control is intriguing. Further testing is needed to assess the real-world impact and offline capabilities.
Mini-LED, Rollable Displays, and Other Innovations
Mini-LED technology is finally gaining traction in gaming laptops. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte all showcased models with flagship specifications and pricing. These laptops, boasting over 1,100 local dimming zones, delivered impressive brightness, vivid colors, and reduced blooming. While OLED still holds an edge in contrast, Mini-LED's lack of burn-in risk and higher sustained brightness make it a compelling alternative.
Other innovations included the return of the ASUS ROG Flow X13 with its USB4 eGPU support, and the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the first laptop with a rollable OLED display. This 14-inch screen expands by 2.7 inches with a button press, although its durability remains a concern as a first-generation product.
The Continued Ascent of Ultrabook Gaming Laptops
Ultrabook gaming laptops are gaining popularity, with major manufacturers offering thin, light, and premium designs. Gigabyte's updated Aero lineup exemplifies this trend. These laptops provide a balance between portability and gaming capabilities. While they may not handle the latest games at maximum settings, they offer a viable option for casual gaming and productivity. The capability of modern integrated graphics, coupled with technologies like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, allows for surprisingly playable performance in many titles. This raises questions about the continued necessity of lower-end dedicated graphics cards like the RTX 4050M.
Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now also contribute to this trend, offering high-quality gaming experiences without requiring a dedicated gaming laptop.
The gaming laptop landscape is evolving rapidly, and we'll be covering these developments throughout the year. What were your key takeaways from CES 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
