Tom's Hardware CES 2026 Best In Show: Innovating amidst the RAM and storage apocalypse

Best of CES 2026, Tom's Hardware
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

CES 2026 was dominated by AI and its accompanying hype, as evidenced by the keynotes from heavy industry hitters like Nvidia and AMD. But the seemingly insatiable AI-driven demands on the RAM and storage markets also meant that we saw no new GPUs and very few SSD or RAM launches at the show. And laptop and PC makers were very cagey about pricing – although we do know that new models will be more expensive. There was still plenty of innovative and eye-catching tech to be found in Las Vegas this year, even if we had to look in some unexpected places to find it.

Intel’s Panther Lake launch and AMD’s Gorgon Point did give laptop makers a reason to launch new models, and Dell took the opportunity to backtrack on last year’s rebranding, with impressive new XPS laptops. The lack of new GPUs meant that things were a bit boring in the realm of gaming PCs, but Lenovo unrolled some excitement with its expandable Legion Pro concept, and Asus decided RGB wasn’t enough, wrapping its latest prebuilt in hologram-generating fans. Not to be left out, ASRock jumped into the AIO cooling ring with a dual-pump concept with a hologram that hovers over your motherboard.

TOPICS

Tom's Hardware is the leading destination for hardcore computer enthusiasts. We cover everything from processors to 3D printers, single-board computers, SSDs and high-end gaming rigs, empowering readers to make the most of the tech they love, keep up on the latest developments and buy the right gear. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience covering news, solving tech problems and reviewing components and systems.

  • bit_user
    I'm disappointed by the lack of announcements about Nvidia's N1X or AMD's Shock Wave. Let's hope Snapdragon X2's fire isn't too quenched by the DRAM shortage for it to maintain interest in the Windows/ARM market.

    Oh, and no Intel Arc B770 announcement!
    Reply
  • artk2219
    bit_user said:
    I'm disappointed by the lack of announcements about Nvidia's N1X or AMD's Shock Wave. Let's hope Snapdragon X2's fire isn't too quenched by the DRAM shortage for it to maintain interest in the Windows/ARM market.

    Oh, and no Intel Arc B770 announcement!
    That was the biggest thing that i was hoping for, more Battlemage info. Well, that and info on Bartlett lake, CES 2026 seems to have been pretty sparse on details for many upcoming products, it was kind of lame.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    artk2219 said:
    that and info on Bartlett lake, CES 2026 seems to have been pretty sparse on details for many upcoming products, it was kind of lame.
    Yeah, also Bartlett Lake!

    TBH, after Intel said something about their Intel 7 node capacity being tight, I sort of gave up hope for the 12P Bartlett Lake. Being LGA 1700 & therefore DDR4-compatible, it'd be awesome timing for a launch!
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    bit_user said:
    I'm disappointed by the lack of announcements about Nvidia's N1X or AMD's Shock Wave. Let's hope Snapdragon X2's fire isn't too quenched by the DRAM shortage for it to maintain interest in the Windows/ARM market.

    Oh, and no Intel Arc B770 announcement!
    arc b770 will surface. I recon they just don't have the supply of them yet last we really need is a paper launch lol.
    also possibility there tweaking it more I'm hoping for a more competent launch.
    its possible there still moving older stock as well of the a series still as plenty in uk market floating about.

    if this gpu does well at 1080p and 1440p it will easily sell.

    the other issue is margins were does it fit in the stack.

    the b580 is at 250 pounds ish or more.

    they would have to put this at 350-400 for it to make sense the issue is the a770 is still plenty in stock in the wild.

    at around 300.

    atm intel however are dominating the uk space b570 is cheaper then a 5050/and it is the old price of 6600.
    b570 is completely playable despite the overhead issue which is alot better then it used to be.
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    artk2219 said:
    That was the biggest thing that i was hoping for, more Battlemage info. Well, that and info on Bartlett lake, CES 2026 seems to have been pretty sparse on details for many upcoming products, it was kind of lame.

    we can take 2 things from that its very good and there keeping it close to there chest or the performance is garbage and there tweaking it lol.
    Reply
  • Notton
    Speaking of Panther Lake and B390, I wish Intel would have sold the B390 as a stand alone product.
    Having finally bought an A310, this is a seriously impressive GPU for encoding AV1.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    beyondlogic said:
    arc b770 will surface. I recon they just don't have the supply of them yet last we really need is a paper launch lol.
    also possibility there tweaking it more I'm hoping for a more competent launch.
    Well, there seems to be a consistent rumor swell that it's coming. So, I haven't lost hope.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    Notton said:
    Speaking of Panther Lake and B390, I wish Intel would have sold the B390 as a stand alone product.
    Having finally bought an A310, this is a seriously impressive GPU for encoding AV1.
    Last year, I picked up a cousin of the A380 that I've been meaning to throw into a server. The Pro A40:
    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/230317/intel-arc-pro-a40-graphics/specifications.html
    Got it for about $190, new. Not the best deal, but it's half height, half length and uses only 50 W. Considering the markups usually applied to their workstation cards, that's definitely a good price.
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    bit_user said:
    Last year, I picked up a cousin of the A380 that I've been meaning to throw into a server. The Pro A40:
    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/230317/intel-arc-pro-a40-graphics/specifications.html
    Got it for about $190, new. Not the best deal, but it's half height, half length and uses only 50 W. Considering the markups usually applied to their workstation cards, that's definitely a good price.

    yeah there workstation cards arent terribly priced.

    i actually picked up a a750 for my cousin in july when it was around 135 pounds which is under 200 usd.

    plays games fine at 1080p roughly at between 75-100 fps depends on the game. mix of high and medium. pairs well with ryzen 5600 especially after the updates.
    Reply
  • beyondlogic
    bit_user said:
    Well, there seems to be a consistent rumor swell that it's coming. So, I haven't lost hope.

    I haven't either I'm patiently waiting. though im planning to pick up a b570 and another a750 and do a comparison see how much the drivers have effected them as a whole. would be nice if they released a b380 single low profile but doubt that will occur lol.
    Reply