CES 2025 Unveils Latest Gaming Laptop Trends

CES never disappoints when it comes to showcasing the latest in laptops, and this year's event was a prime example, especially in the realm of gaming laptops. I explored the bustling show floor, along with numerous packed suites and showrooms, to uncover the key trends shaping the future of gaming laptops in 2025. Here are the standout themes that dominated the gaming laptop scene this year.

A Huge Diversity of Designs

The variety in gaming laptop designs has always been impressive, but 2025 brought an even more pronounced flair. Brands like Gigabyte and MSI are pushing the boundaries, blending productivity with gaming aesthetics. High-end gaming laptops are now expected to offer something "extra" beyond just superior hardware.

This year, expect gaming laptops to showcase a broader range of styles. From the sleek, professional-looking Gigabyte Aero series, which blends seamlessly into a business environment, to the bold MSI Titan 18 HX AI Dragonforged Edition, adorned with striking graphics on its lid, there's something for every taste.

RGB lighting remains a staple, with innovations like wrap-around lighting rings, illuminated mechanical keyboards, and trackpad lights. The Asus ROG Strix Scar series, with its AniME Dot Matrix LED display, particularly stood out, offering customizable text and animations on its lid.

While the core designs remain familiar, anticipate some fresh novelties alongside the traditional spectrum of large, heavy models to sleek, lightweight ones, all equipped with a diverse range of hardware.

AI Assistants are Coming

Last year, AI integration in laptops was a buzzword, but often fell short of expectations. This year, however, multiple vendors introduced AI Assistants designed to enhance user experience by controlling PCs without the need for manual software interaction.

In one demonstration, an MSI representative showed how a chatbot could understand game preferences and automatically adjust performance settings to match the game's intensity. While I remain skeptical about the actual time savings compared to manual adjustments, the potential of these systems, especially if they operate offline, is intriguing. 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 significant strides in the gaming laptop market. Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte showcased Mini-LED laptops with top-tier specifications and pricing. These models featured over 1,100 local dimming zones to minimize blooming and enhance contrast, delivering exceptional brightness and color vibrancy. While OLED still leads in contrast, Mini-LED's resistance to burn-in and higher sustained brightness make it an exciting prospect for future models.

There were also intriguing novelties on display. The ASUS ROG Flow X13, returning after a year's hiatus, now supports eGPUs via USB4, promising enhanced performance with future RTX 5090 eGPU compatibility. Meanwhile, Asus showcased the Zenbook Duo, a versatile dual-screen productivity laptop. However, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable stole the show with its innovative 14-inch rollable OLED display, which extends an additional 2.7 inches at the push of a button. While the first-generation product raises durability concerns, it's a pioneering step that could improve with further development.

Ultrabooks Continue to Rise, Even for Gaming

Ultrabooks are increasingly prominent, even within gaming line-ups. Major manufacturers now offer gaming laptops in this sleek, lightweight, and premium design category. Gigabyte, for instance, has transformed its Aero series into an Ultrabook form factor, blending gaming performance with exceptional portability and productivity.

This trend makes sense for gamers who don't require the highest settings for the latest games. As demonstrated in last year's review of the Asus TUF Gaming A14, these machines can accommodate dedicated graphics cards without sacrificing portability or productivity.

Moreover, with the latest AMD and Intel processors, gaming performance is improving significantly. Features like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS, along with frame generation, enable even integrated graphics to handle demanding games at playable levels. This development questions the necessity of lower-end GPUs like the RTX 4050M for casual gaming.

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

The world of gaming laptops is brimming with exciting developments, and we'll keep you updated throughout the year. What trends caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the comments below!