Laptop launches are gradually returning to normalcy, but there are still plenty of virtual launches to look forward to. Whether virtual or real, the pandemic has not slowed new product launches or exciting developments. There are numerous powerful new machines on the horizon, and here are the best new laptops to look forward to.

Some of these machines are fresh off the assembly line from CES 2022, so you might not be able to get your hands on them just yet. The majority of our selections are Windows machines, but we also have a Chromebook. Are you eager to learn more?

The best new laptops

• Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
• Alienware X14
• Asus ROG Flow Z13
• Dell XPS 13 Plus
• Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3
• MSI Creator Z17
• HP Elite Dragonfly G3
• Asus Chromebook Flip CX5

Editor’s note: We’ll update this list as new laptops become available.

Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16

Asus isn’t afraid of a challenge and has consistently impressed us with its laptop innovation. The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is an expansion of the company’s popular Duo lineup that adds a second screen to a gaming laptop. It has excellent options for the main 16-inch screen, including a new Dual-Spec panel capable of 1080p 240Hz or 4K 120Hz on the same panel. The second display is a 14.1-inch ROG ScreenPad Plus with a resolution of up to 3,840 x 1,100.

The hardware under the hood has been improved to provide even more power. At the top end, you get an AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX CPU paired with a 150W NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU. You also get DDR5 RAM with up to 64GB support at 4,700MHz with the latest-generation hardware. The Duo 16 is the most powerful Duo we’ve seen, and with Asus promising game integrations, it could soon be at the top of our gaming laptop recommendations.

Alienware X14

The Alienware X15 and X17 were the focus of Dell’s Alienware lineup last year, but the smaller Alienware X14 is the focus this year. It’s a brand-new model in the company’s lineup, competing directly with the ROG Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. The 14-inch gaming laptop market is rapidly expanding, and the X14 is a worthy addition.

The Alienware X14 is the thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop available, and it also includes Nvidia G-Sync and Advanced Optimus. Because it’s an Intel machine, you have the choice of an Intel Core i7 12700H or 12900H CPU, and the GPU options are limited to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB PCIe SSD storage are available.

Asus ROG Flow Z13

The second Asus offering on our list for 2022 is aiming for a previously uncharted territory. The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a Windows gaming tablet that was the market’s first proper offering. It has the classic ROG aesthetic with a kickstand and looks like a Surface tablet that can game.

In terms of hardware, you get a 13.4-inch 16:10 display. A 1080p 120Hz panel or a 4K 60Hz panel are both options. This machine is powered by an Intel Core i9 12900H CPU at 45W and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti with a 40W TGP. There is also an eGPU port that supports an RTX 3080 mobile or AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT. A lot of power at this size and room for more.

Dell XPS 13 Plus

The Dell XPS 13 has been one of the best laptops since its release, but Dell is taking it a step further with the Dell XPS 13 Plus. It’s a new model inspired by Generation Z. The main difference between this and the regular 13 is that Dell has followed Apple’s lead and replaced the function key row with a capacitive touch bar with haptic response. The keyboard is also rather neatly designed, running from edge to edge.

The machine still has solid specifications, with up to a 12th-Gen Intel Core i7 12800P processor powering it. Intel’s Iris Xe graphics processor handles graphics, powering Dell’s gorgeous bezel-free InfinityEdge display. Configurations with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM are available. Although the touch bar may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s a great addition to the XPS 13.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3

Dual displays are quickly becoming a trend on laptops, and Lenovo isn’t about to fall behind. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 has a screen on the side of the keyboard, so the Plus moniker is justified. The primary display is a 17.3-inch 21:10 3K panel, and the secondary display is an 8-inch panel placed next to the keyboard, similar to a small tablet.

Under the hood, you can get up to a 12th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of memory, and 2TB of storage. The ThinkBook Plus has a slim profile, but it offers a wide range of connectivity options. There’s an HDMI port, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and even a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port. Overall, a fantastic addition to the 17-inch laptop segment.

MSI Creator Z17

The MSI Creator Z16 was on this list last year, and the refreshed MSI Creator Z17 takes its place in 2022. MSI has refreshed another 17-inch laptop on this list to bring it up to date for this generation. According to MSI, it is the first 17-inch laptop to support pen input. It has a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution display that runs at 165Hz and some serious creative chops.

You also get a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 or i7 CPU and a choice of RTX 3070, 3070 Ti, 3080, or 3080 Ti GPUs, all with a 90W TGP. There is space for up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, as well as two PCIe GEN4 slots for SSD storage. A 90WHr battery and a 240W power adapter power this.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3

HP produces some truly elegant machines, such as the HP Elite Dragonfly G3. It’s a worthy successor to an already excellent machine, bringing the technology up to date for 2022. It lives up to the Elite moniker and delivers the productivity workhorse performance we’ve come to expect from HP’s Elite branding — brains and looks in one.

This time, you’ll get a 12th Generation Intel Core CPU with Iris Xe graphics. Up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe SSD are available. The screen is a 13.5-inch 3:2 panel with three brightness levels: 400 nits, 1,000 nits, and 400 nits for the 3K2K OLED panel. This is packed into a 2.2lb body, making it an ultraportable to consider.

Asus Chromebook Flip CX5

Another Asus offering is the best Chromebook to look out for this year. The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is a model refresh that gives the popular Chromebook a new look. It has a 16-inch 16:10 display, making it the first Chromebook with a 16-inch display. It has an aluminum-alloy chassis and is finished in an understated but premium-looking Mineral Gray color.

The processor is an Intel 12th Gen Core i7 with 16GB of RAM. Aside from that, there are two Thunderbolt USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a microSD card slot. The chassis is also military-spec-rated, so you can expect it to withstand a few bumps with ease.