It’s been quite a while since the best gaming laptops have seen a significant refresh, largely due to a lack of new graphics card releases. Nvidia’s long-awaited RTX 50-series GPUs have finally arrived after years of anticipation, and their absence has made it challenging to justify investing in a high-end gaming laptop.
With the RTX 50-series now officially unveiled, a wave of new and updated gaming laptops was showcased at CES this year. After exploring them in person, I’ve narrowed down five standout models that truly impressed me. Here’s what makes them worth your attention.
Razer Blade 16
The Razer Blade 16 has undergone one of its most significant design overhauls in years, making it a standout on any list of top laptops. This year’s model is noticeably sleeker, with the chassis trimmed down to just 0.59 inches at its thinnest point and 0.69 inches at its thickest, a remarkable reduction from the previous, bulkier version.
Razer has also introduced thoughtful engineering improvements, including a slight incline that enhances typing comfort and improves cooling performance. This incline creates a small “thermal hood” chamber at the base, aiding airflow. Combined with a larger internal vapor chamber and a shift to AMD processors, the laptop manages to maintain excellent thermal performance despite its slimmer profile. Adding to its appeal, the Razer Blade 16 offers up to NVIDIA’s powerful RTX 5090 GPU and features the same stunning OLED display that fans have come to love.
Asus ROG Flow Z13
The ROG Flow Z13 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive gaming laptops unveiled at CES this year. Its 2-in-1 design sets it apart, but what truly makes it stand out is the cutting-edge chip inside. This laptop features AMD’s new Ryzen AI Max+ Pro processor, which boasts a powerful integrated GPU capable of delivering exceptional performance. In fact, it’s so robust that Asus has moved away from using the discrete RTX 4050 or 4060 graphics found in last year’s model. AMD even compares this new chip to Apple’s M4 Pro, claiming it outperforms it in several benchmarks — a significant achievement for a gaming device.
What makes the ROG Flow Z13 even more noteworthy is its design, which prioritizes comfort by keeping heat away from your hands during extended gaming sessions. If the new Ryzen chip can further enhance performance while keeping the laptop cooler, quieter, and faster, this will be a game-changer for gamers seeking top-tier portability and power in one package.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
The Legion Pro 7i has long been a favorite among gamers seeking a high-performance laptop with a stylish flair — and willing to invest in top-tier specs. This year, Lenovo has significantly revamped its design. While it still boasts a powerful, larger-than-life presence, the biggest update is the shift from mini-LED to OLED, offering an impressive upgrade in display quality.
Another notable change is in the rear design: the previous rear-facing ports are replaced with sleek RGB vents, and the ports are now located on the sides of the laptop. Lenovo claims this redesign enhances thermal management, which will be crucial for maintaining cool performance, given the laptop’s demanding 250-watt power delivery shared between the CPU and GPU. We’ll have to wait for in-depth reviews to see how these changes impact real-world performance, but the Legion Pro 7i is definitely one to watch this year.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The ROG Zephyrus G14 continues to be a standout in the world of gaming laptops, and while it didn’t undergo any major redesigns this year, the subtle refinements enhance its already impressive performance.
Notably, the laptop has switched from AMD to Intel, offering configurations up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor and 64GB of memory. The most significant upgrade, however, is the increase in thickness by 2mm, which now accommodates the powerful RTX 5080 GPU, a notable improvement over last year’s RTX 4070. Additionally, Asus has relocated one of the USB-C ports to the opposite side of the chassis, providing users with more flexible charging options. These thoughtful adjustments make the Zephyrus G14 even more versatile and capable than before.
Alienware Area-51
The Alienware Area-51 stands apart from many other gaming laptops with its bold design, embracing a more robust and unique aesthetic rather than opting for sleekness. This isn’t just a nostalgic revival of the Area-51 brand, but a deliberate move to combine classic Alienware elements with modern design improvements. Available in both 16-inch and 18-inch models, the laptop features smoother, rounded edges, a more refined and subtle thermal shelf lighting ring, and a streamlined hinge design—each change enhancing the overall look. While the display options could benefit from upgrades like mini-LED or OLED, the attention to detail in the Area-51’s design is certainly impressive and showcases Alienware’s commitment to innovation.