CheckMag | Top 3 CES 2024 laptops that are a must-see

Lenovo has announced the launch of the latest iteration of its Legion Pro 7i gaming laptop, which continues to feature a robust 16-inch display and is powered by Intel technology. The highlight of this new model is its 240 Hz IPS screen, complemented by the potent Core i9-14900HX from Intel's Raptor Lake Refresh lineup.

The Legion Pro 7i boasts an impressive 2,560 x 1,600 resolution display, offering a peak brightness of 500 nits and VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Additionally, it has a swift 3 ms response time enhanced by OverDrive technology. This 16:10 display is not only NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible but also comes with certifications from TÜV Rheinland and X-Rite Pantone, ensuring 100% sRGB color space coverage.

To support the demands of such a high-end display, Lenovo has equipped the laptop with a substantial 99.99 Wh battery, which can be charged at up to 330 W. In terms of configurations, the Legion Pro 7i will be available with options up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (175 W) GPU, 32 GB of RAM, and a 2 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.

Lenovo plans to release the Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 starting in March, with availability in both the Eurozone and the United States. The pricing for the new gaming laptop begins at €3,299 in the Eurozone and $2,699 in the US. However, Lenovo has yet to reveal the full range of configurations and their respective pricing details.

At CES 2024, Asus introduced the Zenbook Duo UX8406, a novel ultraportable with dual 14-inch 3K 120 Hz OLED touchscreens, positioning it as the first of its kind in the market. The device features ASUS Lumina OLED displays with a unique 180° hinge, expanding the visual workspace and offering versatile modes like Laptop, Dual Screen, and Desktop.

The displays are Dolby Vision and Pantone Validated, ensuring vivid and accurate colors. Performance-wise, it's powered by Intel's latest processors, up to the Core Ultra 9 H-series, complemented by up to 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 2 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The laptop also includes an optional ASUS Pen for stylus input and ScreenXpert software for enhanced multitasking.

Despite lacking a dedicated GPU, it integrates Intel's Arc GPU for reasonable graphics performance. The Zenbook Duo also features AI advancements with an integrated NPU in its processors for efficient AI computing.

Maintaining a slim profile, it offers extensive connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 ports. The audio system is Harman Kardon-certified with Dolby Atmos.

Starting at $1,499 in the US for the base model, higher-end configurations with Core Ultra 9 and dual 3K displays will be priced higher.

Alienware has officially introduced the m16 R2 during CES 2024. Standing out in the lineup, the m16 R2 features Intel's latest Meteor Lake processors, distinguishing itself from the x16 R2 primarily in GPU offerings.

Currently available is the Alienware m16 R2 variant equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. Models featuring the more powerful Core Ultra 9 185H are expected to be released later. The laptop offers a range of GPU options, including the GeForce RTX 4050 (135 W), RTX 4060 (135 W), and RTX 4070 (140 W), with RAM options going up to 64 GB of DDR5 5,600 and storage options peaking at 4 TB or dual 2 TB drives in RAID 0 configuration.

Dell has limited the m16 R2 to a single display option: a 16-inch QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) screen, with a 240 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time, and Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync certification. This display also offers 300 nits peak brightness and 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. An alternative with lower specifications, similar to last year's model (currently priced starting at $1,799 on Amazon), would have been more fitting, given that the GeForce RTX 4050 is more suited for gaming at 1080p resolution.

Dell also announced an upcoming "stealth mode" feature, designed to disable all lighting and set the keyboard to white, catering to environments where less distraction is required. This feature is slated for future release.

The Alienware m16 R2 is available for purchase starting January 11, with the entry-level variant priced from $1,499, and higher-end configurations expected to be released subsequently.