This year’s CES is completely virtual, with no face-to-face events scheduled, demonstration floors to read or night parties in Las Vegas. Despite the stark contrast of previous years, one thing hasn’t changed: the flood of ads for new laptops.
To help you get through everything, ZDNet is bringing together the best new 2-in-1 and ultraportable notebooks from the annual consumer electronics show. We are putting together premium equipment designed to get the job done. We can include some gaming laptops as well, as they are still high-powered PCs, perfect for business or intense daily tasks like video editing.
Launched in March 2021
Acer’s Predator line of gaming laptops is getting an update, with the new Predator Triton 300 SE.
The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE has a 14 inch FHD screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It lasts 10 hours on charge, has an illuminated RGB keyboard with three zones and supports connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 and HDMI. It is powered by the H series of 11th generation Intel processors and is configurable up to Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3060, helping it offer 10% better performance than its predecessor.
In addition: Major gaming computers launched at CES 2021 TechRepublic
The Predator Triton 300 SE also features fan-shaped wing tips and a wind guide to increase air intake and redirect airflow. It is 0.7 inches in total thickness and weighs 3.75 pounds.
$ 1,399 at Acer
Now available to order
Asus’ latest ROG machine is a multi-screen laptop, much like its dual-screen Zenbook equipment.
Called the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE, it has a secondary screen between the keyboard and the main screen. The second screen is intended for multitasking or even for players who wish to broadcast or record the game. The company is working with developers to create interactive content for the secondary monitor as well.
Besides that: 7 CES 2021 exclusive laptops TechRepublic
The Asus dual-screen laptop features an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics, a 15.6-inch screen with a 14-inch secondary screen, bidirectional AI noise cancellation and upgraded speakers.
$ 2,899 at Asus
Launched in January 2021
This 13.3 inch business laptop is for those who work from home and constantly on video calls.
It offers four wide-range microphones that use AI to optimize audio, as well as having a 5 megapixel camera instead of 720p. It also features EyeSafe technology to reduce eye strain after continuous use.
Besides that: Review of HP Elite Dragonfly (2020)
It is equipped with 11th generation Intel processors and will be available in 4G or 5G.
Watch now at HP
Launched in February 2021
The HP Elite Folio uses a 2-in-1 design that allows you to switch between a laptop and a tablet, depending on the task. When in tablet mode, you can use the HP Elite Slim Active pen to mark documents. The pen fits into a built-in storage slot above the keyboard, where it can also be charged when not in use.
This hybrid machine is powered by Qualcomm’s 8cx Gen 2 Arm processor, which HP says helps the Elite Folio provide 24.5 hours of local media playback before its battery runs out.
Besides that: CES 2021: HP updates home office line
The 13.5-inch laptop supports Wi-Fi 6. It also has a 5G option.
Watch now at HP
Launched in January 2021
Business notebooks were a big topic at CES, and the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is no exception.
Lenovo’s latest 2 in 1 has a 13.5-inch screen and less than half an inch thick at 0.45 inches. It comes with a solid-looking titanium finish, works on 11th generation Intel processors and features four far-field microphones for video calls. It also features human presence detection to automatically lock your device when you move away.
Besides that: Lenovo’s X1 Titanium Yoga is the thinnest ThinkPad ever
There are also 4G LTE and 5G connectivity options.
$ 1,899 at Lenovo
No price or release date announced
The LG Gram 17 squeezes a 17 inch screen the size of a 15 inch laptop, although other LG Gram models were also announced at CES 2021, including the LG Gram 16, LG Gram 14 and 2 in 1 convertible designs for the 16 and 14 inch models. LG equipped the entire line with a 16:10 ratio.
Besides that: CES 2021: LG updates line of Gram laptops
The LG Gram 17 is equipped with Intel’s new 11th generation processors and weighs 2.98 pounds.
Watch now at LG
Now available to order
Razer is bringing a ton of spec improvements to its 2021 line of Blade 15 and Pro 17 gaming laptops, including QHD screens. You can even get a 1440p QHD screen with a fast refresh rate.
In addition, they have Nvidia’s G-Sync variable refresh rate technology integrated. State-of-the-art Blade laptops also come with Nvidia’s new RTX 3000 series graphics chips. The Blade 15 Advanced – the Razer name for the most powerful model – features RTX 3070 and a QHD screen with G-Sync. It will start at $ 2,499.
Besides that: CES 2021: Razer displays ‘smart’ prototype mask
You can customize this model with up to a special variant of the RTX 3080 that has 16GB of VRAM. There is also a larger Blade Pro 17 that will start at $ 2,299 and features the RTX 3060.
$ 2,499 at Razer
Launch in the first quarter of 2021
Samsung’s original Galaxy Chromebook received an update and a cheaper price. Called Galaxy Chromebook 2, it costs $ 549.99 compared to the $ 999.99 price of the previous model.
Note that the latest model comes with a QLED touch screen compared to the 4K AMOLED screen of the 2020 version. The new Galaxy Chromebook also doesn’t come with Samsung’s S Pen anymore. Elsewhere, it features a 13.3-inch screen and a convertible design and is available in the same red color as the original.
Besides that: Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook 2 is more affordable
It comes with an Intel Celeron or i3 processor with 4 GB / 8 GB of RAM and 64 GB / 128 GB of storage.
$ 549 at Samsung