We've already covered a number of MSI launches at CES this week. In this article, our attention turns towards new laptops, including new models powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 3 processors, along with Nvidia RTX graphics.

MSI has overhauled its laptop lineup for CES 2026, introducing redesigned business systems, refreshed gaming hardware, and a new colour variant of its Claw handheld. The announcement is led by a major update to the Prestige series, which now adopts a smoother, more rounded design and a full‑aluminium chassis aimed at professionals who want lighter hardware without compromising performance.

The Prestige 14 drops to 1.32kg, while the Prestige 16 comes in at 1.59kg, both powered by Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 processors and paired with Intel Arc B390 graphics. MSI claims the 81Wh battery can deliver more than 30 hours of video playback, and the updated cooling system uses a vapor chamber, dual fans, and an Intra Flow design to keep noise below 30dBA.

The Prestige 14 and 16 Flip extend the same hardware into a 2‑in‑1 form factor with touchscreens and stylus support. MSI includes its new Nano Pen, which docks into the chassis for charging and can deliver 45 minutes of use from a 15‑second top‑up. As part of a collaboration with Microsoft, the pen also supports a Copilot press‑to‑talk shortcut for voice input. The Flip models add a larger touchpad with custom gesture zones, enterprise‑grade security features, and an optional 2.8K 120Hz OLED display with DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification.

For users who prioritise portability, the Prestige 13 AI+ has been updated and now weighs just 899g, making it the lightest 13‑inch magnesium‑aluminium laptop available. It also moves to Intel’s latest processors and retains the same security and connectivity features as the larger Prestige models.

MSI’s mainstream Modern 14S and 16S laptops have also been refreshed with more metal in the chassis and a cleaner design. Both models use Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and include dual memory slots for easier upgrades. Connectivity covers USB‑A, USB‑C with charging and display support, HDMI, LAN, and a microSD reader. Despite the added metal, the Modern 14S remains portable at 1.3kg and as thin as 11.1mm in its OLED configuration.

On the gaming side, MSI is pushing performance with the new Raider 16 Max HX, which the company says is the first laptop capable of delivering 300W of total system power. It can allocate up to 175W to an RTX 5090 or 5080 GPU while feeding 125W to an Intel Core Ultra 200HX processor. Cooling is handled by a redesigned Cooler Boost Trinity system with three fans, six heat pipes, five exhaust vents, and phase‑change thermal compound. The laptop also includes a quick‑access bottom panel for easier upgrades and a 2.5K 240Hz OLED display.

The Stealth 16 AI+ has been updated with a thinner, lighter chassis while offering higher GPU power limits and improved cooling. It includes a 90Wh battery, dual upgradeable slots, and a full aluminium build under 2kg. The Crosshair 16 Max HX and Crosshair 16 HX round out the gaming lineup with up to 200W system power, optional QHD+ 165Hz OLED displays, and a revised port layout.

MSI also introduced a Glacier Blue edition of its Claw 8 AI+ handheld, offering the same Intel Core Ultra 200V hardware and Arc Xe2 graphics in a new finish.

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KitGuru Says: Are you thinking of going with an MSI laptop this year? 

While CES is often used as a platform to launch new products definitely coming to market, it is also occasionally used to showcase prototype products that are not yet ready. This year, Phanteks is showing off a new concept device of its own – the Exo 626. 

The Exo 626 is an open-air chassis, a first for the company. It is inspired by exoskeletal design, as the name implies, and provides a compartmentalised layout for your components:

As you can see in the image, the motherboard and AIO cooler are visible, but the GPU, power supply and most cables are locked away in their own enclosures. The AIO radiator also sits to the side in its own compartment, with a mesh panel providing holes for airflow.

Phanteks says this is a concept at the moment, but more details on the Exo 626 will be shared at a later stage. Perhaps it will make a second appearance later this year at Computex.

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KitGuru Says: What do you think of this concept from Phanteks? Do you think future PCs should move towards a compartmentalised layout? 

At CES this week, Sandisk is announcing a big rebranding of its internal SSD line-up. The WD Blue and WD Black ranges are being replaced. Moving forward, Sandisk will launch Sandisk Optimus, Optimus GX and Optimus Pro SSDs. The first set of drives are also ready to hit the market in the coming weeks.

Sandisk says the Optimus branding is intended to simplify the lineup and give customers a clearer sense of performance tiers as the company expands its storage offerings for gamers, creators, and professionals. “The SANDISK Optimus brand redefines what performance means for consumer needs,” said Heidi Arkinstall, VP of Global Consumer Brand and Digital Marketing, adding that the change is designed to make it easier for buyers to identify the right drive.

The base Sandisk Optimus line targets creators looking for faster everyday performance and replaces the WD Blue range, including the WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD. The Optimus GX tier is aimed at gaming systems, offering higher speeds, larger capacities, and improved efficiency – taking over from the WD_BLACK SN7100. At the top end, the Optimus GX Pro line becomes the flagship, positioned for AI PCs, workstations, and high‑end gaming rigs. It replaces the WD_BLACK SN8100 and incorporates higher capacities and Sandisk’s latest storage technologies.

Unfortunately, we don't have pricing details yet for these drives, but they should be similarly priced to previous WD Blue and WD_Black offerings.

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KitGuru Says: How do you feel about WD Blue and Black being replaced? 

It has been years since Corsair acquired Elgato. During that time, Corsair and Elgato have operated independently, but this year, the two are joining forces on a new product for the first time. The new Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a new full-size keyboard from Corsair, but rather than having a numpad, the keyboard has been equipped with a 12-key Elgato Stream Deck.

The company says the device combines engineering from both Corsair and Elgato to meet long‑standing community requests for a single input solution that handles gameplay, apps, and device control. “The GALLEON 100 SD marks a new era of input that our community has been clamoring for,” said Tobias Brinkmann, VP and GM of Gaming Peripherals at Corsair. “This isn't just a better keyboard. It's a solution to the reality of modern gaming, where managing apps, info, and devices is just as critical as performance.”

The keyboard includes 12 LCD keys, two multifunction dials, and a 5‑inch colour display for real‑time system and game information. All controls are configured through the Stream Deck app, with support for folders, profile switching, and the full plugin ecosystem.

Corsair says the integration allows players to trigger abilities, macros, and complex sequences without menu diving, while also offering quick access to apps like Spotify, voice chat, and system monitoring. Dozens of game profiles and hundreds of plugins from the Elgato Marketplace are supported, just as they would be on a standalone Stream Deck.

Beyond the Stream Deck features, the Galleon 100 SD uses Corsair’s AXON engine with polling rates up to 8,000Hz, plus FlashTap SOCD handling for directional‑input control. The board ships with pre‑lubed MLX Pulse switches, gasket mounting, six layers of dampening, and an aluminium frame. A cushioned wrist rest, RGB light bar, and Web Hub customisation round out the design.

As you might expect, this keyboard won't come cheap, as you are effectively getting two products in one. The Galleon 100 SD is expected to become available at the end of January, priced at $349.99.

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KitGuru Says: If I were to ever go back to a full-sized keyboard, it would be for something like this. Standard numpads are of little use to many gamers, but a host of Stream Deck keys would provide some really interesting functionality.

At CES this week, AOC is launching its latest Agon gaming monitor, the AGON PRO AG276QSG2. Developed in close collaboration with NVIDIA, this is one of the first G-Sync Pulsar displays hitting the market, enabling higher levels of motion clarity and responsiveness for competitive gaming.

G‑SYNC Pulsar is designed to deliver up to four times clearer motion by combining backlight strobing with G‑SYNC Variable Refresh Rate, eliminating the traditional trade‑off between motion clarity and stutter‑free gameplay. Fast‑moving targets appear sharper and easier to track, giving competitive players more consistent visual information during gameplay. The monitor also supports NVIDIA’s Ambient Adaptive Technology, using a built‑in sensor to automatically adjust brightness and colour temperature based on room lighting.

The AG276QSG2 is built around a 360Hz Fast IPS panel with 1ms GtG response time, ensuring rapid pixel transitions for esports titles. HDR support is included, with G‑SYNC HDR providing calibrated colour accuracy and automatic HDR brightness tuning across both Windows and supported games.

AGON by AOC has also focused on the physical design, offering a fully ergonomic stand, an aluminium‑accented esports aesthetic, and customisable Light FX illumination. A full suite of I/O connectivity ensures compatibility with multi‑platform setups.

The AGON PRO AG276QSG2 will be available starting in February with an MSRP of £559.

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KitGuru Says: Are you thinking about making the jump to a G-Sync Pulsar monitor this year?

Sudokoo is making its first CES appearance this year, bringing along a host of new CPU coolers, covering both air and AIO units. We stopped by their booth to get a first-hand look at the new range.

Watch via YouTube below:

Timestamps:
00:00 SK700V Mach
00:55 SK600VC
01:18 ST720
01:45 Aetherflex 360
02:16 Energlo 360
03:06 Proteus 420
03:35 Workstation Liquid Cooler
03:51 Fans and Custom options
04:35 Mach 120 and Mach 140 Fans
04:50 Proteus 360 Display
04:58 Modded Aircoolers – coming soon
05:27 Cross section of fans
05:41 Magnetic Astra Fans

The flagship ST720 is positioned for workstation and server environments where thermal stability and compact dimensions are critical. The cooler supports up to 750W TDP on AMD’s top-end Threadripper processors and is fully compatible with Threadripper and EPYC SP3/SP6 platforms. With a 155mm height, it is sized for standard 4U chassis deployments.

For small‑form‑factor builders, the SK600 VC introduces an ultra‑low‑profile design built around a vapor chamber cold plate and six heat pipes. The cooler stands 77mm tall and uses a 25mm FDB PWM fan, which should give you enough clearance for most RAM sticks on the market.

Enthusiast users are the target for the SK700V MACH, a revised version of the company’s high‑end air cooler. The MACH edition includes a 30mm‑thick MACH120 fan and adopts an L‑Rail lock mounting system intended to eliminate traditional fan clips and simplify installation. Intel and AMD multi‑socket support is included.

SUDOKOO is also entering the liquid cooling market with the AETHERFLEX 360, a 360mm AIO designed around real‑time system monitoring. The unit features a 4.5‑inch LCD display with an 854×480 resolution panel capable of showing CPU temperature, power and utilisation, along with GPU frequency, GPU power, and fan RPM. The cooler uses a magnetic mounting system with fold‑flip support for easier installation and adjustment.

KitGuru Says: Sudokoo has built out an impressive looking line-up of coolers. We'll look forward to seeing some of these units in action in the months ahead.