The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) never disappoints when it comes to showcasing the latest in laptops, and this year's event was no different. I explored the show floor and various suites to uncover the top trends shaping gaming laptops in 2024. Here are the key themes that dominated the gaming laptop landscape this year.
A Huge Diversity of Designs
Gaming laptops have always boasted a variety of styles, but 2024 felt particularly diverse. Brands like Gigabyte and MSI are pushing the boundaries between productivity and gaming, while high-end models are incorporating unique design elements beyond just hardware prowess.
You can expect a wider range of gaming laptops this year. From the sleek and professional Gigabyte Aero series, perfect for business settings, to the visually striking MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition with its eye-catching graphics on the lid, there's something for everyone.
RGB lighting remains a staple, with innovations like wrap-around lighting rings, illuminated mechanical keyboards, and AniME Dot Matrix LED displays on the Asus ROG Strix Scar series, which can display animations and text on the lid. While the overall design approach isn't revolutionary, expect to see some intriguing novelties alongside the traditional spectrum of bulky to ultrathin laptops equipped with diverse hardware.
AI Assistants are Coming
Last year, AI was a notable feature in many laptops, but the implementations were often underwhelming. At CES 2024, multiple vendors showcased AI Assistants designed to control your PC effortlessly, without the need to open any software.
For instance, an MSI representative demonstrated how their chatbot could adjust performance settings to match the intensity of a desired game. However, I'm skeptical about the efficiency of these systems compared to manual adjustments. It remains to be seen how these AI capabilities will perform once fully integrated.
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 showcased Mini-LED laptops with top-tier specs and prices. These models featured over 1,100 local dimming zones, reducing blooming and enhancing contrast, with exceptional brightness and vibrant colors. While OLED still excels in contrast, Mini-LED's lack of burn-in risk and higher sustained brightness are promising.
There were also some exciting novelties. The ASUS ROG Flow X13, returning after a year, now supports eGPUs via USB4, and was paired with a new eGPU featuring up to an RTX 5090. Asus also displayed the Zenbook Duo, a dual-screen productivity laptop, but Lenovo stole the show with the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, the first notebook with a rollable OLED display. This innovative design extends the 14-inch screen by an additional 2.7 inches at the push of a button. While the first-gen product raises durability concerns, it's a groundbreaking development that's sure to evolve.
Ultrabooks Continue to Rise, Even for Gaming
Ultrabooks are increasingly prevalent, even within gaming line-ups. Major manufacturers now offer thin, light, and premium gaming laptops, such as Gigabyte's revamped Aero series, which perfectly embodies the Ultrabook form factor.
This trend makes sense for gamers who don't need to run the latest titles at max settings. These Ultrabooks offer portability and productivity without sacrificing gaming capabilities. My review of the Asus TUF Gaming A14 last year demonstrated that even with a dedicated graphics card, these machines remain excellent for on-the-go productivity.
Moreover, with the latest AMD and Intel processors, you can achieve decent gaming performance without a dedicated GPU. Features like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, along with frame generation, allow for playable gaming experiences on integrated graphics. This raises questions about the necessity of lower-end GPUs like the RTX 4050M.
Cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now also provide viable options for these ultrathin machines, offering a robust gaming experience without the need for a dedicated "gaming" laptop.
The gaming laptop space is brimming with exciting developments, and we'll continue to cover them throughout the year. What trends caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
