We're only a few weeks into 2022 but already we've seen some incredible new laptops. With out-of-this-world designs, all new hardware of course including 12th gen intel processors and ryzen 6000 series chips from AMD, super top TI versions of Nvidia's GPUs. Faster ddr5 ram, PCIe for storage as well as more OLED screens, and high refresh rates. There are a bunch of upgrades.
DELL XPS 13 PLUS
Okay, let's start with the new dell XPS 13 plus. This is an all-new slightly more powerful version of what is probably the best thin and light windows laptop you can buy. Now with beefier 12th gen intel chips, still no dedicated GPU or intel arc graphics but if you're photo or video editing on this gorgeous 13 inch, 16 by 10 screen, then the extra processor horsepower is certainly welcome. We're also getting a very futuristic design refresh with this proper edge-to-edge keyboard with no spacing in between the keys and also bigger keycaps. There's also a new virtual function rope at the top of the keyboard and there's no obvious touchpad. The center of this palm rest is a haptic touchpad kind of like what we get on the MacBook pro but you can't really tell where it starts and finishes. These upgrades are actually functionally as good as they look and you'll also note that there is no headphone jack on this. So it kind of feels like those concept cars that we see with unrealistically big tires and designs that you'd never actually see on the road because it's probably illegal and then eventually you see the sort of paired-down version come to market. But with the XPS 13 plus it feels like we are getting that concept.
ROG FLOW Z13
Next, up let me introduce you to the rog Zephyrus flow z13. It's kind of like a gaming surface pro 8. It's a chunky 13-inch tablet with a detachable keyboard and on the inside, as we get a little window into it on the back we can get up to the highest end 12th gen i9 intel chips that are the beefiest h45 series along with an RTX 3050 ti and that's with either a 4k60 or 1080p 120 touchscreen. So this really is the world's most powerful gaming tablet. But the real magic happens when you pair it with the xg mobile dock which comes with either a 3070 or 3080. Although an updated 2022 dock is on its way with AMD's new GPUs. Of course, none of this comes cheap but its cyberpunk design 1.1-kilogram weight and impressive specs this is a proper portable powerhouse.
Alright now sticking with Asus for a moment let's talk about the new origi Zephyrus g14. Now, these are super popular gaming laptops because well we got a 14-inch screen and a thin and light form factor that you can throw in your backpack. This year we've had some tasty upgrades in the form of a new 16 by 10 screen which I'm happy to see, and thinner bezels as well. Also this year the g14 is going full team red with AMD's ryzen 9,6900 HS processor paired with the RX 6800 s graphics card at the top end. We also get this nifty 180-degree hinge which is handy if you're using it on a laptop stand or on your knees in bed maybe and also the g14 comes with either a full HD 144 or quad HD 120-hertz screen. There are other nice upgrades like Dolby vision support, wi-fi 6e, ddr5 ram, a micro sd port, and a webcam, and this year we're also getting a mux switch which lets you switch between the dedicated and integrated graphics. Also, the optional anime matrix lighting on the back now has 20 % more LEDs and which are even brighter aswell. Price is TBC but this or its bigger brother the g15 are definitely ones to look out for.
ACER SWIFT X16
Okay so from Asus to Acer, the new swift x 14 and 16 laptops. But for me, I think it's the 16-inch really stands out as this is one of the first laptops that I've seen to come with intel's new arc graphics. We haven't really seen much of this yet and we haven't had any performance benchmarks but the word is it could compete with the like 7 RTX 3050s. And considering this is expected to cost 1100 pounds depending on the performance and also the battery life this could be one to watch.
MacBOOK AIR 2022
What about the good people over at apple? Well, I can tell you that since was it November this came out the new pro 14 or 16, I've been obsessed with this. I use the 16-inch pro for everything and outside of gaming, I've barely touched my desktop pc. With the performance, the mini led screen, the battery, and the design for my money these new pros are the best laptops you can buy. However, they are very expensive and I maintain that the macbook air is actually the best option for 99% of people. Which is why i'm excited for a refreshed MacBook air 2022. A new m2 chip which well probably won't be as powerful as the m1 max or pro you get in one of these in terms of the processor and the thermals and the raw horsepower, it could be a lot more efficient. This will also, of course, come with performance gains over the current MacBook air which I still do highly recommend but an m2 may be paired with a mini led screen, thinner bezels, and just a bit of a refreshed design. Considering we are seeing new Asus viva books and zenbooks and dell XPS's with gorgeous OLED screens 4k resolutions the latest processors. I am very excited to see how apple can compete and what it can do with the MacBook air so fingers crossed.
ZENBOOK 14X OLED SPACE EDITION
Speaking of zenbooks though zenbook 14x OLED space edition is figuratively out of this world. So it actually shares many of the same specs as the standard zenbook x14 OLED but with a really unique and actually more durable design. There's also this really cool three-and-a-half-inch feature vision monochrome OLED screen on the back which you can customize or just use to look at the time and battery life. We also get a 92% screen-to-body ratio up from 90 on the standard zen books. So we're looking at slightly thinner bezels around this gorgeous 14-inch, 16 by 10 90 hertz OLED screen. The specs are pretty beefy as well with up to an i9 12th gen intel chip that's the top end 45w h series by the way and all in a chassis that weighs just 1.4 kilos. So a genuinely very cool laptop.
LENOVO THINKPAD Z
Okay moving on, I am excited for the new Lenovo ThinkPad Z. Thinkpads have always been known as the go-to business laptop, functionally very good but aesthetically a bit dull. Well, the new z13 and 16 could change all that. it's been developed with AMD's latest hardware and comes in both 13 and 16-inch sizes. A big feature of the design is the recycled aluminum chassis which can also be paired with a recycled vegan leather exterior. I think it looks great and together with an OLED screen, wi-fi 6e, and improved webcam and on the z16 even beefier performance with a dedicated graphics card there's a lot to like here.
LENOVO THINKPAD PLUS GEN 3
But hold up if we're talking about the most innovative laptops coming off ces 22. ThinkPad plus gen 3 is a strong shell with its ultra wide 17-inch screen and separate 8-inch touchscreen built into the keyboard and this also comes with the latest processors. I haven't really thought about this for a while but we don't see ultra-wide displays on laptops ever. Really I mean we had the Acer prayer tub three or four years ago which was very cool but very very expensive. but since then it's kind of just gone away which is a shame because I love an ultra-wide and I wouldn't say no to maybe a 21 by 10 aspect ratio ultra-wide display on a laptop what do you think?
ASUS ZENBOOK FOLD 17 OLED
Winner for the most innovative laptop this year so far the zenbook 17 fold OLED which looks absolutely ridiculous. there's no pricing for this folding tablet laptop thing just yet but certainly, we are seeing a new generation of folding tech and while with this we are only getting a low-power u-series 12th gen processor and also no dedicated graphics. I am very curious to see how well this could work. so what do you reckon do you think you'll be upgrading your laptop this year and if so which models do you have your eye on let me know in the comments below. Thanks for your time. See ya!
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