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 CPU performance, greater graphics muscle, improved AI capabilities and longer battery life. These new chips will show up in all manner of laptops, from thin-and-light ultraportables to hulking, high-powered gaming and content creation laptops. We’ve seen many of these new laptops at CES this week, and a trend has emerged beyond the ubiquitous silicon upgrades: modularity in the name of serviceability and sustainability.
Dell, HP and Lenovo have each announced new laptop designs that make it easier to repair or replace individual components to help extend the lifespan of the product. This approach is a throwback to the days before everything inside a laptop was soldered to the motherboard or otherwise difficult to access and remove, but a welcomed one nonetheless.
These computer makers have heard from the customers — especially on the enterprise side — that they want to be able to replace the keyboard, battery and other parts when they break or get too worn out instead of needing to spend a lot more money on a full system replacement. This trend also showed up in the opposite of a business laptop — a gaming laptop from MSI that’s easier to service and upgrade the RAM and SSD.
Elsewhere, we saw some compelling new models from Acer and Asus, along with MSI’s completely redesigned Prestige. And finally, we’ve got not a laptop at all but a totally new idea from HP that could replace your laptop.
Keep scrolling to see the laptops that caught our attention at CES so far.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14
The latest X1 Carbon is the best example of the more modular designs we’re seeing at CES. It introduces Lenovo’s Space Frame design that lets you not only pop off the bottom panel to get to the internals but also the keyboard to reach the double-sided motherboard. Most of the components are easily accessed and replaceable, including the battery, keyboard, fans, speakers — even the USB ports. (Sadly, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard like most laptops these days and not user-replaceable.)
The X1 Carbon is based on Core Ultra X7 Series 3 processors from Intel’s new Panther Lake series, and you can read more about it and Lenovo’s 2-in-1 ThinkPad that also gets the Space Frame treatment here.
Dell XPS 14 and XPS 16
Folks didn’t take too well to Dell’s massive laptop overhaul last year, when the company scrubbed away its Inspiron, Precision, Latitude and XPS branding. These are names that are synonymous with Dell computers, so it’s no wonder that people were upset. This was Dell’s «new Coke» debacle.
And just like Coca-Cola, Dell saw the sales numbers and recognized that it had made a big mistake. The Dell Premium laptops are out — Dell announced that the XPS 14 and XPS 16 are making a triumphant return during their CES 2026 showcase. The new XPS laptops combine a familiar design with updated internal specs. These computers can house some of the latest and greatest Intel silicon, feature up to 3,200×2,000-pixel resolution OLED displays, and offer a generous amount of RAM and storage. Hopefully, this time, the XPS is here to stay.
MSI Prestige 14 and Prestige 16
When you think of MSI, you probably think of gaming laptops. The company’s extensive lineup of portable computers has something for everyone, after all, from the budget Cyborg series to the top-of-the-line Titan gaming laptops. However, MSI’s CES 2026 showcase was different, as the company shifted its focus to one of its non-gaming products with a clean redesign.
The MSI Prestige 14 and Prestige 16 business laptops received a clean visual overhaul. MSI literally smoothed the edges off the computer’s chassis — there’s very little visual noise or hard angles in the new design. These are slim, portable business laptops with solid OLED displays and good battery life. MSI’s gaming laptops got solid refreshes, but the Prestige 14 and Prestige 16 are overhauls that demand consumer attention.
Acer Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI
Acer is great at packing a lot of value into an affordable package, and we’ve seen the company do that yet again at CES 2026. The latest iteration of the Swift Edge has received the customary internal spec touch-ups: both the 14- and 16-inch versions can house up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H CPU, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space.
But it’s the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI’s chassis that make them stand out as a new affordable laptop worth keeping an eye on. The new iterations are slim but sturdy. Acer incorporated a stainless steel-magnesium into the chassis for this laptop update, making the Swift Edge 14 AI and Swift Edge 16 AI stronger than their predecessors — and they weigh less, too.
HP EliteBoard G1a
Is HP’s EliteBoard G1a a laptop? Technically not, but it’s a portable computer that fits into your lap — and it’s a seriously cool concept.
The EliteBoard G1a combines the computer and keyboard into a single piece of tech you can take anywhere. If you want to get to work, all you have to do is plug the EliteBoard into a monitor and pick up where you left off. This stealthy computer features dual microphones and speakers, eliminating the need to carry them separately as part of your portable setup.
The internal specs are more than serviceable, too. The EliteBoard can house up to an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO 8C CPU with integrated AMD Radeon 800 series graphics that support 4K monitors at up to 60Hz refresh rates. It also contains up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of system storage. HP’s EliteBoard G1a might not be the most powerful «laptop» we’ve seen at CES 2026, but it’s a genuinely refreshing idea — it’s an attempt at reimagining what a portable computer can be.
