How CES Transformed Into the Ultimate Gaming Showcase in the Age of AI

It has been some time since I experienced a strong feeling of gadget desire at CES, the technology expo that overtakes Las Vegas every January, but that occurred when I grasped Lenovo’s Legion Go S gaming handheld.

I’m already a happy owner of a Steam Deck, but the Legion Go S boasts a larger and crisper display with 120Hz refresh rates, AMD’s latest Z2 chipset, and—to my hands, at least—ideal ergonomics. It also operates on SteamOS, and Valve’s initiative to offer its software gratis to other handheld manufacturers (starting with Lenovo) was among CES’s most significant advancements. Similar to Windows on PCs, it could facilitate the emergence of a new gaming hardware ecosystem.

This is merely one instance of how CES subtly transformed into a glimpse of the future of gaming hardware. Much like the previous year, the event featured plenty of superficial AI hype alongside the customary enhancements in television and home audio technology. However, if you are interested in impressive consumer electronics, the genuine action was taking place in the gaming segment, with more polished PCs, groundbreaking monitors, appealing mobile accessories, and yes, even further handheld devices.

The battle for your hands

Jared Newman / Foundry

The Legion Go S was not the only new handheld gaming PC showcased at CES. Lenovo introduced a few additional Windows models, including a prototype enhancement to the original Legion Go (featuring Switch-style detachable controllers) and a Windows counterpart to the SteamOS version of Legion Go S.

In the meantime, competitor PC manufacturer Acer is broadening its own handheld lineup following the announcement of the 7-inch Nitro Blaze last year. At CES, the brand demonstrated both 8- and 11-inch versions with detachable controllers, the latter being part majestic and absurdly large. I noticed an unused accessory port along its lower edge, and while Acer hasn’t clarified its function, one could envision a Surface-style keyboard cover to convert the Nitro Blaze 11 into a laptop for work purposes.

The Legion Go S also acted as an early staging area for AMD’s Z2 chipset, expected to be available in various configurations for handheld manufacturers. We are still awaiting benchmarks; however, it’s significant that AMD is releasing new handheld chips for the second consecutive year—a solid demonstration of assurance in the sector.

Moreover, don’t overlook Intel. It has a cooperative ally in MSI, whose upcoming Claw 8 AI+ will feature a Core Ultra 7 258V processor. While Lunar Lake chips aren’t specifically designed for handhelds, their Arc 140V graphics and overall power efficiency may make them an excellent option.

Jared Newman / Foundry

This is the type of competition you enjoy seeing at an event like CES. It remains uncertain if the market can accommodate all these gaming handhelds, but who cares? We all benefit when these companies compete with various designs, dimensions, and specifications.

Innovations in mobile gaming

Jared Newman / Foundry

In another segment of portable technology, manufacturers are discovering innovative methods to transform your smartphone into a gaming device.

Following an announcement from the previous year, for example, BitmoLab presented a functional prototype of its Gamebaby iPhone case at CES. This case incorporates directional and face buttons on its lower section, allowing compatibility with NES or Game Boy titles in emulator applications like Delta. Additionally, you can reverse the lower segment so the controls rest against the back, permitting standard use of your phone. The capacitive controls seamlessly integrate with the app’s on-screen buttons, facilitating gameplay without cumbersome USB-C connections or supplementary batteries.

GameSir took a slightly distinct approach with a compact Bluetooth controller that attaches to the bottom section of any device. I didn’t observe this one personally, but I regretted missing it after reading Wavelength’s review. It is expected to launch on Kickstarter in the upcoming months.

Jared Newman / Foundry

If additional heft doesn’t bother you, MCON is designing a controller with a detachable magnetic base for phone attachment. It offers a comprehensive set of buttons and joysticks while being sleek enough to fit inside your pocket. A prototype displayed at CES appeared promising, and MCON is collaborating with the magnetic accessory provider Ohsnap to realize it.

Core Aspects

Jared Newman / Foundry

Even if handheld gaming isn’t your preference, CES provided numerous compelling updates in the realm of desktop and laptop gaming PCs.

The major highlight was undoubtedly Nvidia’s RTX 50-series GPUs, which are debuting at a lower price point than anticipated for desktop options, catalyzing a surge of exciting PCs for laptops. For instance, Dell’s Alienware Area-51 laptop line has made a comeback, featuring a new cooling system and appealing “Liquid Teal” color, whereas Razer has minimized the thickness of its RTX 50-equipped Blade 16 laptop to merely 0.59 inches. Meanwhile, Asus continues to innovate with eGPUs, introducing a compact dock supporting Thunderbolt 5 that can convert regular laptops into gaming systems.

Displays are also improving, with various suppliers now cramming 4K QD-OLED into 27-inch panels boasting refresh rates of 240 Hz. If that isn’t sufficient responsiveness, there are also 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED monitors with 500 Hz refresh rates on the market. Acer is even venturing into 5K territory with its 31-inch XB323QX display, which still manages to deliver 144Hz refresh rates. (Alternatively, it can facilitate 1440p gaming at 288 Hz if required.)

It’s easy to adopt a cynical view of CES, where large manufacturers often fall into the trap of chasing fleeting trends instead of addressing real challenges. However, if you seek in the right areas, you’ll uncover plenty of reminders of what initially attracted you to technology. Gaming is progressively where those advancements are manifesting.