Your next laptop might last longer.
AMD, Intel And Qualcomm each announced new mobile processors at CES 2026 that will power the next generation of laptops this year, promising better processor performance, greater graphics power, improved AI capabilities and longer battery life. These new chips will appear in all kinds of laptops, from thin and light ultraportables to massive and powerful laptops for gaming and content creation. We saw a lot of these new laptops at CES this week, and a trend has emerged beyond the ubiquitous silicon upgrades: modularity in the name of ease of maintenance and durability.
Dell, HP and Lenovo each announced new laptop models that make it easier to repair or replace individual components to extend the life of the product. This approach is a throwback to the days when everything inside a laptop was soldered to the motherboard or otherwise difficult to access and remove, but it’s welcome nonetheless.
These computer makers have heard from their customers – especially on the enterprise side – that they want to be able to replace the keyboard, battery and other parts when they break or become too worn, instead of having to spend a lot more money on a complete system replacement. This trend has also manifested itself in the opposite direction of a business laptop: a gaming laptop from MSI that is easier to maintain and upgrade RAM and SSD.
Watch this: Laptops coming this year from Asus, Dell, Lenovo, HP and Acer
Elsewhere, we’ve seen compelling new models from Acer and Asus, as well as MSI’s completely redesigned Prestige. And finally, we don’t have a laptop at all but a brand new idea from HP that could replace your laptop.
Keep scrolling to see the laptops that have caught our attention at CES so far, or check out the laptops that were finalists for the Official Best of CES 2026 Awards.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon generation 14
The latest X1 Carbon is the best example of the more modular designs we’re seeing at CES. It features Lenovo’s Space Frame design that not only allows you to remove the bottom panel to access the internal components, but also the keyboard to reach the double-sided motherboard. Most components are easily accessible and replaceable, including the battery, keyboard, fans, speakers, and even USB ports. (Unfortunately, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard like most laptops these days and is not user replaceable.)
The X1 Carbon is based on Core Ultra X7 Series 3 processors from Intel’s new Panther Lake seriesand you can read more about it and Lenovo’s ThinkPad 2-in-1 which also gets the Space Frame treatment. here.
Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16
The new Dell XPS models represent a return to familiar form for the company.
Josh Goldman/CNETPeople didn’t like Dell very well massive laptop review last year when the company discontinued its Inspiron, Precision, Latitude and XPS brands. These are names synonymous with Dell computers, so it’s no wonder people were upset. This was the debacle of Dell’s “new Coke”.
And just like Coca-Cola, Dell saw the sales numbers and recognized that it had made a big mistake. Dell Premium Laptops are out — Dell announced that the XPS14 and XPS16 make a triumphant return during their CES 2026 showcase. The new XPS laptops combine a familiar design with updated internal specifications. These computers can house some of Intel’s latest and greatest processors, feature OLED displays with resolutions up to 3200 x 2000 pixels, and offer generous amounts of RAM and storage. Hopefully this time, the XPS is here to stay.
MSI Prestige 14 and Prestige 16
The smooth edges of the new Prestige laptops look great. These are elegant business models that I would like to work on.
Josh Goldman/CNETWhen you think of MSI, you probably think of gaming laptops. After all, the company’s extensive laptop lineup has something for everyone, from the budget-friendly Cyborg series to high-end Titan gaming laptops. However, MSI’s presentation at CES 2026 was different, as the company focused on one of its non-gaming products with a clean redesign.
The MSI Prestige 14 and Prestige 16 business laptops have received a sleek visual overhaul. MSI literally smoothed the edges of the computer chassis: there’s very little visual noise or harsh angles in the new design. These are slim, portable business laptops with solid OLED displays and good battery life. MSI’s gaming laptops have had some solid updates, but the Prestige 14 and Prestige 16 are redesigns that demand consumers’ attention.
Acer Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI
The latest iterations of the Acer Swift Edge are sturdy yet affordable. This could prove to be a great mid-range option for someone looking for a new laptop this year.
Acer/CNETAcer is good at packing a lot of value into an affordable package, and we’ve seen the company do it again at CES 2026. The latest iteration of the Swift Edge has received the usual internal tweaks: the 14- and 16-inch versions can accommodate up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage space.
But it’s the chassis of the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI that sets them apart as a new affordable laptop to watch. The new iterations are slim but sturdy. Acer incorporated a stainless-magnesium steel into the chassis for this laptop update, making the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI more powerful than their predecessors – and they weigh less, too.
MSI Raider 16 Max HX
You better like dragons if you’re interested in the Raider 16 Max HX. A big gray dragon on the top cover adds a lot of visual noise to an otherwise clean design.
MSIThe latest iteration of MSI’s 16-inch Raider gaming laptop is a pretty average refresh, at a glance. The new chassis is adorned with a garish gray dragon – a great reproduction of MSI’s usual visual motif. Inside, the MSI Raider 16 Max HX houses an Intel Core Ultra 200 HX processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series GPU.
But what’s really interesting about this laptop is its approach to user serviceability: the chassis contains a small removable back panel that allows you to replace or upgrade the RAM and SSD inside the computer. Several companies showed off serviceability-focused laptops at CES 2026, but MSI is the only manufacturer offering this approach in gaming laptops. Could the Raider be a trendsetter? We’ll know by next year’s show.
Asus ProArt PX13 GoPro Edition
Asus and GoPro have already collaborated together on a laptop. Last year, companies teamed up to bring the ProArt P16 16 inch at the market. At CES 2026, Asus unveiled a new, smaller, more rugged laptop: the ProArt PX13 GoPro Edition is ready for your next globe-trotting adventure.
This 13-inch computer seems like a natural fit for the GoPro consumer base, weighing three pounds while being encased in an all-metal chassis capable of handling some abuse. The laptop and its carrying case feature a blue vertical line design inspired by GoPro devices. Some nice bonuses on board for new GoPro users: the ProArt PX13 comes with a one-year subscription to GoPro Cloud Plus and StoryCube software.
The ProArt PX13 houses an AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 processor with integrated Radeon graphics, up to 128GB of RAM, and up to 2TB of system storage.
HP EliteBoard G1a
A laptop that weighs half the weight of a laptop? The EliteBoard offers an interesting glimpse into what the future might hold.
HPEast HP EliteBoard G1a a laptop? Technically no, but it’s a laptop that fits on your lap — and it’s a really cool concept.
The EliteBoard G1a combines computer and keyboard into a single piece of technology that you can take anywhere. If you want to get to work, simply plug the EliteBoard into a monitor and pick up where you left off. This stealth computer features dual microphones and speakers, eliminating the need to carry them separately as part of your portable setup.
The internal specs are also more than serviceable. The EliteBoard can house up to an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO 8C processor with integrated AMD Radeon 800 series graphics supporting 4K monitors at refresh rates up to 60Hz. It also packs up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of system storage. HP’s EliteBoard G1a may not be the most powerful “laptop” we’ve seen at CES 2026, but it’s a truly refreshing idea: it’s an attempt to reimagine what a laptop can be.
