It wasn’t hard to find a common thread among the new Windows laptops on display at CES 2025. Beyond the expected next-gen refreshes, the biggest tech trade show was about getting more people to embrace the idea of PCs with AI this year.
With consumers still reluctant to embrace AI laptops, prioritizing hardware improvements over great software features, companies’ selling points had to come from a multitude of angles. Most embraced affordability, committing to bringing Qualcomm’s upcoming entry-level Snapdragon X processor to dozens of budget-friendly machines. (Copilot+ PCs costing as much as fancy Chromebooks? Yes, please.) Some explored new construction materials, targeting eco-conscious consumers with chassis made from oyster shells and ultra-thin “plasma ceramic aluminum.” easy. One manufacturer rebranded its entire line of older laptops in hopes of helping shoppers more easily find the AI-powered computer that best suits their needs — though it doesn’t seem to have gone so well.
The best of CES 2025: Everything that stole the show, according to our experts
And then there’s Lenovo, which launched a new AI-powered “swivel” screen laptop simply because it wanted to see what was possible with OLED technology. It’s real this time too.
After countless hours on the Las Vegas Strip and plenty of discussion, here are our three favorite AI laptops we saw at CES 2025 — plus a few notable honorable mentions.
Best AI Laptop Overall: Asus Zenbook A14
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Made from a magnesium-aluminum alloy called “Ceraluminum” that’s sleek, strong and 100 percent recyclable, Asus’ new 14-inch ultraportable weighs just 2.18 kilograms, depending on the model – making it the world’s lightest Copilot+ computer. It features a beautiful OLED screen, a gesture-controlled touchpad, and a battery life of up to 32 hours per charge, which is unmatched among laptops in Mashable’s test database. Asus hasn’t explicitly said as much, but all things considered, this is a clear answer to the Apple MacBook Air. (Those numbers in its name even look like the word “AIR.”) It’s also quite competitively priced.
Starting January 13, a Snapdragon X Elite configuration will be available on Best Buy and Asus’ website for $1,099.99. Look for an $899.99 Snapdragon X variant at Best Buy this March.
Read Mashable’s hands-on review of the Asus Zenbook A14.
Mashable’s Speed of Light
The most innovative laptop with AI: Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
We saw it coming from a mile away, but Lenovo’s new 14-inch business laptop with a “rotatable” OLED display will officially hit the market soon. Users can expand the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 screen with a simple hand gesture or the touch of a dedicated key; The screen slides seamlessly out from under its keyboard, adding 50 percent more vertical real estate. Lenovo took two years to work on this design after introducing it as a concept, and it’s super solid and polished in person. It’s a compelling new alternative to dual-screen laptops for serious multitasking, provided you can afford it.
The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 will start at $3,499 when it launches sometime later in Q1 2024.
Read Mashable’s hands-on review of the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable.
The most unexpected laptop with AI: Acer Aspire Vero 16
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Acer’s latest Aspire Vero 16 brings new meaning to the term “shell laptop”: its chassis is made in part from oyster shells collected in Taiwan, where the company is headquartered. The shells are cleaned, crushed and mixed with a blend of over 70 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, resulting in a durable gray case with a slightly speckled appearance. Under its hood, it runs on Intel’s newly launched Core Ultra 200H processors.
The Aspire Vero 16 will start at $799.99 when it goes on sale this April.
Read Mashable’s hands-on review of the Acer Aspire Vero 16.
Honorable Mention: Many new GeForce RTX 50 Series gaming laptops
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The announcement of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50 Series was one of the biggest moments of CES 2025, and we got a sneak peek at some upcoming gaming laptops that will use them. (That includes the refreshed Razer Blade 16, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16, and the HP Omen Max 16, which is pictured above.) We didn’t actually get to play anything on them—they just showed a few clips on our site. demo — so we don’t have much to say about them right now except that they all look really attractive and expensive. However, we’re looking forward to reviewing a number of them once they start rolling out in March. The next generation of PC gaming is almost ready.
Honorable Mention: Asus Adol 14 Air
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Asus devoted a small corner of its CES showcase to its fragrance notebook made in partnership with designer Anna Sui, which has a subtle switchable aroma diffuser built into the center of the lid. It’s gimmicky, sure, but also extremely adorable. The notebook is available in four pastel finishes, including a purple with butterfly accents, and a matching quilted travel case. It’s only available in China at the moment, but wider availability may be imminent. Leave me alone, please.
