CES 2026 will bring faster, stranger laptops. Just don’t expect them to be cheap

Qualcomm’s Leap into High-Performance Computing

Back in September 2025, Qualcomm introduced its next-generation Snapdragon X2 series, signaling a significant leap forward. Despite the early reveal, shipments are slated for well into 2026, aligning perfectly with CES 2026’s timeline.

Anticipate a flood of laptops powered by Snapdragon X2 chips at CES, with the flagship Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme standing out. This powerhouse boasts 18 CPU cores, an enhanced X2-90 integrated GPU, and an impressive 228 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Early benchmarks, such as those conducted by PCWorld’s Mark Hachman using Cinebench 2024, reveal the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme achieving a multi-core score of 1,967. This performance more than doubles that of the Microsoft Surface Laptop equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite and roughly doubles AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

While these results stem from Qualcomm’s reference design and represent preliminary testing, they suggest that Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme laptops will excel in multi-threaded workloads. Additionally, Qualcomm plans to release several mid-tier X2 Elite variants, ensuring broad adoption across major laptop manufacturers.

Intel and AMD: The Competitive Landscape

Qualcomm won’t dominate CES 2026 alone. Intel and AMD are gearing up to showcase their latest silicon, each with distinct strategies.

Intel appears particularly ambitious. In fall 2025, it previewed its Panther Lake architecture, which will power the upcoming “Intel Core Series 3” processors. These high-end chips will feature up to 16 CPU cores.

Intel is emphasizing GPU advancements, with Panther Lake’s top-tier models incorporating up to 12 Xe3 graphics cores. This promises a 50% performance boost over the previous Lunar Lake generation, already a leader in integrated graphics. Such improvements position Intel strongly for consumers seeking laptops that balance gaming capabilities with productivity.

AMD, meanwhile, has been more circumspect about its forthcoming Gorgon Point processors. Although official details remain sparse, leaked information suggests Gorgon Point will be an incremental update to the existing Strix Point lineup, maintaining similar CPU and GPU core counts but potentially offering higher clock speeds and enhanced neural processing units (NPUs).

Preliminary benchmark leaks hint at modest performance gains, with the new chips expected to launch as the Ryzen AI 400 series, including models like the Ryzen AI 9 465. These updates suggest AMD is focusing on refining efficiency and AI capabilities rather than radical architectural changes.

Innovative and Unconventional Laptop Designs

CES has long been a playground for avant-garde laptop concepts, rivaled only by Computex in showcasing eccentric designs. Recently, however, many of these experimental laptops have transitioned from prototypes to polished consumer products.

Examples include Lenovo’s Rollable OLED laptop, Asus’s dual-screen models, and Acer’s glasses-free 3D display laptops. Notably, these innovations have not only reached retail but have also earned critical acclaim, with devices like the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable and Asus Zenbook Duo receiving PCWorld’s Editors’ Choice awards.

Looking ahead to CES 2026, expect further enhancements in OLED technology, particularly in refresh rates and brightness levels. Flexible OLED panels remain a largely untapped frontier, offering exciting possibilities for future laptop designs.

Moreover, premium materials and build quality are becoming more prevalent even in mid-range Windows laptops. Brands like Asus, Dell, and Lenovo are pioneering the use of sophisticated materials such as Asus’s proprietary Ceraluminum, elevating the tactile and aesthetic experience. This trend toward luxury finishes may serve as a counterbalance to the looming challenge of rising component costs.

Rising Memory Costs and Their Impact on Laptop Pricing

One of the most pressing issues overshadowing CES 2026 is the surge in memory prices. The explosive growth of AI data centers has driven unprecedented demand for RAM, prompting manufacturers to prioritize enterprise clients over consumer markets. This shift has already led companies like Framework to increase RAM prices, with larger laptop manufacturers rumored to follow suit.

Many laptops unveiled at CES will not reach consumers until several months later, often between February and June 2026. Consequently, manufacturers are likely to withhold pricing details until closer to release dates, navigating the volatile memory market cautiously.

Memory capacity configurations may also be affected. While 16GB and 32GB options will remain standard, 64GB and above will likely be confined to premium, high-performance models. Although some rumors suggest a potential shift toward 8GB base models, this seems improbable unless memory prices continue to escalate dramatically.

SSD prices are also under pressure due to the same AI-driven demand, further complicating the pricing landscape. This may result in more laptops offering 256GB or 512GB storage as standard, with larger capacities becoming a luxury feature.

Despite Qualcomm’s commitment to expanding laptop options, the memory shortage and associated cost increases threaten to inflate prices across the board. Once CES 2026 concludes, the industry will have a clearer picture of how these economic factors will influence laptop availability and affordability throughout the year.

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