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The Top 9 Laptops to Watch in 2026: The most intriguing laptops of the year and what makes them unique, ranging from AI-powered ultrabooks to dual-screen powerhouses

  • Writer: krisdtadam
    krisdtadam
  • Jan 13
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 17


Technology evolves rapidly, and laptops are no different. As we near 2026, numerous new models are set to reshape our expectations of portable computers. Whether you're looking for a high-performance machine for work, a lightweight device for travel, or a versatile hybrid for creative tasks, the laptop market is preparing to offer exciting options. This post showcases the top 10 laptops to keep an eye on in 2026, emphasising standout performance, design, and features.



Eye-level view of a sleek laptop with a vibrant display on a wooden desk


1. Acer Swift 16 AI


Best for: Productivity, creative work, on-the-go performance

Specs (2026 flagship):


  • CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H

  • GPU: Intel Arc B390 (integrated)

  • Display: 16″ 3K OLED (2880×1800), 120 Hz

  • RAM: Up to 32 GB LPDDR5x

  • Storage: Up to 2 TB SSD

  • Features: World’s largest haptic touchpad with stylus support; Copilot+ AI features


Pros:

  • Excellent creative productivity features

  • Great screen & stylus support

  • Copilot + AI capabilities


Cons:

  • No discrete GPU for heavy gaming

  • Premium price bracket



2. Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i


Best for: Creators & professionals who want maximum brightness and color accuracy

Specs:


  • CPU: Intel Panther Lake series

  • GPU: Optional NVIDIA RTX 5070

  • Display: 16″ 4K Tandem OLED (up to 1600 nits peak)

  • Stylus: Magnetic Yoga Pen Gen 2 included


Pros:

  • Extremely bright OLED panel

  • Great for artistic workflows

  • Strong performance options


Cons:

  • Potential graininess on some brightness levels reported by users

  • Heavy compared with ultraportable



3. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo (2026)


Best for: Multitaskers, gamers and creators


Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra (latest)

  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5090L

  • Displays: Dual 16″ OLED (both 16″) with HDR & stylus support

  • RAM: Up to 64 GB

  • Storage: Up to 2 TB PCIe 5


Pros:

  • Dual displays for productivity and gaming

  • Excellent performance for both creative apps and games


Cons:

  • Heavy & less portable

  • Very premium pricing



4. ASUS ZenBook S14 / S16 (2026)


Best for: Stylish ultraportable with AI power


Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra / AMD Ryzen AI 400

  • Display: 14″ / 16″ 3K OLED @ 120 Hz

  • AI: Copilot+ on-device NPU ~50 TOPS

  • Battery: ~12-15h typical


Pros:

  • Sleek & lightweight

  • Balanced performance & battery life


Cons:

  • Likely premium pricing

  • Slightly less GPU power than gaming-centric rivals



5. MSI Prestige 16 AI+


Best for: Power users who need excellent battery life


Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra series 3

  • GPU: Intel Arc B390

  • Display: 16″ 2.8K OLED, 48–120 Hz

  • Battery: ~30+ h video playback

  • RAM: Up to 64 GB

  • Storage: PCIe Gen 4 SSD


Pros:

  • Superb battery life

  • Great productivity/ creator laptop


Cons:

  • Not as powerful for hardcore gaming

  • Slightly heavier than ultra-light competitors



6. Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Series


Best for: Balanced performance and battery in mainstream lineup


Specs & Features:

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra Series 3

  • Models: Galaxy Book 6 Ultra / Pro / base

  • Strengths: AI capabilities, solid battery life, premium build


Pros:

  • Competitive all-around performance

  • Stylish design


Cons:

  • Might trail Windows Ultrabook's in raw performance

  • Less focus on discrete GPUs



7. Dell XPS 14 & XPS 16 (2026)


Best for: Premium productivity & battery life without discrete GPU


Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra Series up to X9 388H

  • Graphics: Intel Arc (integrated)

  • Display: OLED/Tandem OLED options (2.8K–3.2K)

  • RAM: Up to 64 GB

  • Storage: Up to 4 TB PCIe 5

  • Battery: ~27–40 h local video playback


Pros:

  • Incredible battery life

  • Sleek premium design

  • Big storage & memory options


Cons:

  • No dedicated GPU for heavy computing workloads

  • Expensive



8. HP OmniBook Ultra 14


Best for: AI-centric productivity and thin design


Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Panther Lake or Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite

  • NPU: Up to 85 TOPS (Snapdragon)

  • Display: 14″ 3K OLED, 120 Hz

  • RAM: Up to 64 GB

  • Storage: Up to 2 TB SSD

  • Features: MIL-STD-810 durability, vapor chamber cooling


Pros:

  • Outstanding on-device AI performance

  • Very durable & light


Cons:

  • Qualcomm version may lack Thunderbolt

  • GPU capabilities not as strong as discrete options



9. (Bonus) MSI Stealth 16 AI+


Best for: Gaming on the go


Specs (CES 2026 variants):

  • CPU: Intel Core Ultra 200HX

  • GPU: Nvidia RTX 50-series (discrete)

  • Display: QHD+/OLED options with ~165 Hz

  • Weight: ~<2 kg


Pros:

  • Good gaming performance in sleek body


Cons:

  • Higher thermal noise

  • Battery life shorter than ultraportable




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