The dust has settled in Las Vegas, and CES 2026 has officially concluded, leaving us with a clear vision of the year ahead: AI isn't just a software feature anymore—it is physically reshaping our hardware. From rollable laptop screens to neural rendering in graphics cards, the Best of CES 2026 awards highlight a massive industry shift toward modularity and intelligent performance. After scouring the show floor for the past week, we’ve curated the definitive list of the top tech trends 2026 has to offer, featuring the groundbreaking gear that will define the next generation of computing and entertainment.
The Titans of Performance: GPU and Processing Power
While AI dominated the conversation, raw power remains the heart of the gaming industry. The crown jewel of this year's show was undoubtedly the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z. Taking the "Best Graphics Card" honor, this behemoth features a hybrid liquid cooling system and a built-in 8-inch LCD screen for real-time telemetry. With the RTX 5090 release date confirmed for late January, enthusiasts won't have to wait long to experience the new era of "neural rendering" championed by NVIDIA.
NVIDIA also impressed with the debut of G-Sync Pulsar, a new display technology that completely eliminates motion blur without compromising brightness—a feat previously thought impossible. On the processing side, Intel struck back with its Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) chips. These processors are the first to feature a dedicated "Neural Engine" block that operates independently of the CPU and GPU, promising to handle background AI workloads without impacting gaming frame rates.
Display Evolution: The Samsung S95H and Rollable Concepts
Television technology took a leap forward with the Samsung S95H OLED, which our judges unanimously voted the best TV of the show. In our early Samsung S95H OLED review time on the floor, the panel demonstrated a staggering 35% brightness increase over last year's S95F. Samsung has also made a bold design choice by reintroducing a premium metal bezel, positioning the TV as a digital canvas. This aligns with their new anti-burn-in technology, allowing the S95H to display art from a 5,000-image library for hours without risk—finally making OLED a viable option for "always-on" digital decor.
But the most futuristic display wasn't on a wall—it was on a lap. The Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable stole the spotlight as the most ambitious proof-of-concept at CES 2026. At the press of a button, this 16-inch laptop unspools horizontally into an ultra-wide 23.8-inch (24:9) battlefield. Unlike previous fragile prototypes, Lenovo's dual-motor tension system felt robust and ready for the rigors of esports, signaling that rollable tech is finally maturing beyond a gimmick.
Best Gaming Laptops 2026: Dual Screens and Slim Profiles
The competition for the best gaming laptops 2026 has never been fiercer, with manufacturers splitting into two distinct camps: massive utility and ultra-portability. Leading the utility charge is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 2026. ASUS has refined its dual-screen formula by equipping both the main 16-inch panel and the secondary touchscreen with matching OLED refresh rates, eliminating the jarring visual disconnect of previous models. Powered by the mobile RTX 5090, it is a mobile workstation beast.
On the slim side, Alienware and HP Omen both unveiled chassis thinner than 18mm, but Gigabyte took a different approach with its AI-integrated notebooks. Their new "GiMATE" AI assistant runs locally on the laptop, adjusting fan curves and clock speeds in real-time based on your specific gameplay style, rather than relying on generic presets. This personalized optimization is one of the key CES 2026 award winners for software innovation.
The Rise of Transparent Tech
Transparency was another recurring theme. While transparent TVs have been shown before, 2026 marked the arrival of transparent consumer peripherals. We saw transparent mechanical keyboards from several boutique brands that use micro-OLEDs embedded in the keycaps to change legends dynamically—perfect for switching between gaming macros and productivity shortcuts instantly.
Looking Ahead: The Connected Future
If CES 2026 proved one thing, it's that the lines between hardware and software are dissolving. Whether it's the MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Lightning Z using AI to predict thermal loads or the Samsung S95H OLED transforming into a digital art gallery, the devices of tomorrow are more versatile and intelligent than ever. As these innovations hit the shelves over the coming months, the way we play, watch, and create is set to change forever.
