The 10 Coolest Laptops Unveiled At CES 2018

Laptop Innovation

For most visitors at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, laptops were not a main focus of attention amid the array of robots and virtual-reality headsets. But major PC vendors used the show to debut laptops with inventive new features.

CES 2018 hosted big laptop introductions from vendors including Dell, Lenovo, HP and Samsung. We were on hand to check out the new models, and in the following slides we've got a look at 10 of the new laptops that debuted at CES 2018.

Dell XPS 13

Dell's new XPS 13 laptop has gotten a full redesign for the first time in three years. The results are pretty extraordinary: While the previous XPS 13 was already one of our favorite laptops, Dell has managed to significantly improve the portability of the laptop while also making it more powerful and durable. The new XPS 13 uses Intel's eighth-generation Core processors, promises up to nearly 20 hours of battery life and offers a 4K option for the convertible, narrow-bezel display. In terms of portability, the XPS 13 is now 24 percent smaller in overall volume -- measuring just 0.46 of an inch thick, compared with the previous 0.6 of an inch thick. Meanwhile, a new white color option for the interior of the laptop is made from woven glass fiber, which is UV-resistant and stain resistant. The palm rest, in fact, is cleanable; a demo showed that even a Sharpie smudge can be easily cleaned off.

The starting price for the new XPS 13 is $1,000, and the laptop is available now.

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

One year after Dell introduced a convertible model for the XPS 13, the company launched the first 2-in-1 version of the XPS 15 in connection with CES 2018. Along with its 360-degree hinge for folding the 15.6-inch display, the laptop offers differences including a form factor that is 5 percent thinner (0.63 of an inch thick). Dell says that makes the convertible XPS 15 the thinnest 15-inch 2-in-1 on the market. Even with that thin profile, Dell has managed to include quad-core Intel CPU options (eighth-gen Core i5-8305G or Core i7-8705G) that are integrated with discrete AMD graphics (Radeon RX Vega M GL) -- one of the first deployments of a processor integrating Intel CPUs and AMD GPUs. For the display, the XPS 15 2-in-1 comes with options for UHD (3,200 x 1,800) or FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, with brightness of 400 nits. In addition, the XPS 15 2-in-1 offers up to 15 hours of battery life and features GORE Thermal Insulation, which works to remove heat more effectively in order to support improved performance.

The Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 will be available in the spring with a starting price of $1,299.99.

Dell Latitude 7490

Dell used CES 2018 to launch a new lineup of Latitude 7000 Series business laptops, including the Latitude 7490. This 14-inch laptop features a "super-low-power display" for enabling longer battery life -- up to 20 hours on a charge -- along with processor options including a quad-core eighth-gen Intel Core i7. The Latitude 7490 is also fairly portable at 0.7 of an inch thick and a weight of 3.11 pounds. An option for an embedded touch display on the machine, meanwhile, reduces the weight of going with a touch screen because it doesn't require two separate display panels. The FHD touch display features a high brightness of 300 nits, as well. In addition, the laptop features Microsoft's Precision Touchpad and faster Wi-Fi connections thanks to an "active steering antenna," along with a fingerprint reader and smart card reader for added security.

The Dell Latitude 7490 is available now with a starting price of $1,049.

Dell Latitude 7390 2-in-1

Dell's Latitude 7390 is a 2-in-1 laptop with a 13.3-inch convertible touch-screen display. The laptop features 1,920 x 1,280 display resolution and Gorilla Glass 4 for durability. The Latitude 7390 also offers quad-core eighth-gen Intel Core processors, battery life of up to 17 hours, digital pen support, and USB-C connectivity.

The Latitude 7390 is available now with a starting price of $1,149.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

For the sixth generation of Lenovo's X1 Carbon, the popular business notebook is getting an enhanced 14-inch display with improved color and brightness (up to 500 nits). That's thanks to it being one of the first two laptops (along with the new X1 Yoga) to support Dolby Vision HDR technology. Other new additions include USB-C mechanical side docking, improved microphones (that reach a farther distance), and eighth-gen Intel Core processors. In addition, the new X1 Carbon offers up to 15 hours of battery life, optional LTE connectivity, WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) display resolution, and a touch-screen option -- while weighing just 2.49 pounds.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon will be available in January with a starting price of $1,709.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga

Now in its third generation, the new X1 Yoga will also support Dolby Vision HDR for improved color and brightness (up to 500 nits) on its WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) IPS display. Meanwhile, the new X1 Yoga adds eighth-generation Intel Core processors and offers battery life of up to 15 hours. And like the X1 Carbon, the new X1 Yoga offers better microphones and optional LTE connectivity. In addition, as a convertible touch-screen laptop, the X1 Yoga offers an integrated ThinkPad Pen Pro and a retractable keyboard.

The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga will be available in January with a starting price of $1,889.

HP Spectre x360 15

HP is going big on performance with its new update for the Spectre x360 15, a 15.6-inch convertible laptop aimed at creative professionals and other graphics-heavy users. Along with packing a quad-core eighth-gen Intel Core i7 processor, the laptop offers a choice between two powerful discrete graphics options: AMD's Radeon RX Vega M or Nvidia's GeForce MX 150. For the display, the Spectre x360 15 features a super-sharp 4K/UHD touch screen with Gorilla Glass 4, as well as a minimal bezel around the screen. The laptop also features quad Bang & Olufsen speakers, Windows Hello facial recognition, 13.5 hours of battery life, and compatibility with a digital pen (which is included). To make room for the discrete graphics, the new Spectre x360 15 is a bit thicker than the previous generation (0.76 of an inch thick versus 0.7 of an inch previously), while the weight has increased to 4.6 pounds from 4.4 pounds previously.

The new HP Spectre x360 15 will be available March 18 with a starting price of $1,369.99.

Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

With the Notebook 9 Pen, Samsung is looking to combine portability, durability and flexibility in a notebook form factor. The laptop features a 360-degree convertible FHD touch screen (13.3 inches) with the digital S Pen housed inside the laptop itself; removing the pen automatically launches a note-taking app screen on the laptop. Thanks to the use of lightweight magnesium aluminum in the body, the Notebook 9 Pen is highly durable while weighing just 2.2 pounds, according to Samsung. The laptop also features an eighth-gen Intel Core i7 processor and up to 16 GB of RAM.

The Samsung Notebook 9 Pen will be available in the first quarter in the U.S. Pricing hasn't been announced.

Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

Samsung showed off another new 2-in-1 laptop at CES 2018, an updated version of the Notebook 7 Spin, which also features a 13.3-inch FHD touch screen. The laptop includes a quad-core eighth-gen Intel Core i5 processor, support for a digital pen (sold separately) and strong security via Windows Hello face recognition and a fingerprint reader. Additional features include a far-field microphone for recording audio from a distance (such as at meetings and lectures) and a backlit keyboard with 1.5mm keystrokes.

The Samsung Notebook 7 Spin will be available in the first quarter in the U.S. Pricing hasn't been announced.

LG Gram

LG debuted its newest offerings in the Gram notebook series at CES 2018, with updated models in 13.3-inch, 14-inch and 15.6-inch sizes. The notebooks are lightweight, starting at just over 2 pounds, but have space for a large 72Wh battery that provides around 20 hours of battery life on a charge for the Gram notebooks. The Gram notebooks also feature eighth-gen Intel Core processors, an optional touch screen and fingerprint reader and military-standard durability ratings for protection against drops.

The new LG Gram laptops are scheduled to be available in the U.S. in January. LG hasn't announced pricing.