Carbon fiber, magnesium, ceraluminum: Why your subsequent laptop computer will really feel completely different

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Laptops felt completely different at CES 2026. I imply, actually. Whereas new {hardware} from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm stole the present, advances in laptop computer supplies flew below the radar. Overlook plastic versus steel. PC makers at the moment are competing on bodily really feel—and there’s a complete new world of various metals and alloys to select from.

Laptop computer chassis supplies are one thing else nowadays. I just lately wrote about how plastic laptops are underrated—plastic isn’t a nasty materials for laptops nowadays, with well-made plastic laptops sporting a cushty rubbery contact that doesn’t creak like they as soon as did.

In a world the place spec sheets have much less and fewer to distinguish them, that is the subsequent path for PC makers who need to stand out.

Completely different makers, completely different philosophies

At CES 2026, I discovered myself touching numerous Asus laptops with Asus’ new light-weight materials referred to as “ceraluminum.” Laptops just like the Zenbook A14 aren’t simply extremely light-weight—Asus desires you to know that ceraluminum (i.e., ceramic-coated aluminum) is extra sturdy than a typical aluminum chassis whereas additionally weighing much less.

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Later, I used to be holding the HP OmniBook Extremely 14 whereas an HP consultant defined that it was manufactured from forge-stamped steel for a strong, heavy really feel. Shoppers have a tendency to treat thin-and-light laptops as fragile, so HP made this laptop computer out of forge-stamped steel—”like a sword”—in order that it could really feel extra sturdy and encourage confidence.

Whereas each corporations had been exhibiting off new laptops with new {hardware} and their very own approaches to advertising, one factor was clear: every went above and past the standard aluminum chassis laptop computer.

Not all steel laptops are the identical

Individuals are likely to lump laptops into two classes: steel and plastic. However a number of the strongest and lightest laptops are manufactured from carbon fiber, just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

And even inside the steel laptop computer market, not all steel laptops are made out of the identical kind of steel. Many steel laptops are made out of aluminum, whereas others are made out of magnesium alloys. Different laptops are even made out of magnesium-aluminum alloys.

<img decoding="async" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC01658.jpg?quality=50&strip=all&w=1200" alt="HP Omnibook 7 Aero laptop rear" class="wp-image-2640321" loading="lazy" /> The HP OmniBook 7 Aero has a premium magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis. Michael Crider / Foundry

Aluminum laptops are inexpensive to supply and heavier than magnesium, whereas magnesium alloys are costlier and lighter than aluminum. However magnesium scratches extra simply and isn’t as strong. That’s why some premium laptops have magnesium-aluminum alloys which can be lighter than aluminum and stronger than magnesium, however these laptops are typically costlier.

Asus’ ceraluminum isn’t pure steel however extra of a hybrid materials: a ceramic materials that’s bonded to aluminum. It’s extremely light-weight and doesn’t really feel like steel—your fingers are touching the ceramic coating—however Asus says it’s stronger than aluminum.

There are additionally alternative ways of producing the steel physique of the laptop computer. Most aluminum laptops are made with CNC milling the place a machine exactly cuts from a sheet of steel. HP’s forge-stamping is a special strategy. As HP explains: “You warmth it up, you fold it over, you tamp it down—you make it stronger.”

Carbon fiber continues to be underrated

Carbon fiber is a fair higher laptop computer materials than steel and alloys. It’s stronger and lighter—there’s a cause why this materials is utilized in spacecrafts and sports activities vehicles. You don’t see it as a lot in laptops as a result of it’s costly in comparison with each steel and plastic.

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At CES 2026, Lenovo confirmed off the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Version, which begins at simply 2.2 kilos because of that carbon fiber. The high-end Asus ROG Circulate Z13-KJP, made in partnership with Kojima Productions, additionally options carbon-fiber parts.

If cash was no object, I’d skip steel and get a machine with a robust and light-weight carbon-fiber physique. That’s my skilled opinion as a laptop computer reviewer, regardless of the actual fact so many consider a “steel laptop computer” is extra premium. (That’ll change once they uncover carbon fiber!)

Recycled supplies are large as soon as once more

Once I converse to PC producers, they’re all the time keen to clarify how a lot of their laptops are made out of recycled supplies. Many are made out of “ocean-bound plastic” (i.e., waste plastic that may’ve ended up within the ocean if it wasn’t recycled). However recyclying and eco-conscious messaging consists of steel and carbon-fiber machines, too.

I took a take a look at Lenovo’s spec sheet for the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14, the place the “Accountable Design” part proudly advertises that the carbon-fiber plate is made out of 100% organic supplies and that the body incorporates recycled carbon-fiber supplies.

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Elsewhere, the laptop computer’s steel elements characteristic recycled magnesium and aluminum with particular percentages. Laptop computer producers are more and more competing on these percentages and on how a lot of their laptops’ our bodies are made out of recycled supplies.

Laptop computer advertising blurbs typically promote {that a} machine was made with recycled supplies. It doesn’t make a distinction in how a cloth feels, however producers are more and more utilizing the windfall of their supplies as a part of their general gross sales methods.

Don’t underestimate chassis supplies once you purchase a laptop computer

I take pleasure in utilizing all types of laptops. A few of my happiest computing moments occurred on creaky plastic laptops a long time in the past. You don’t want a flowery laptop computer materials to be blissful—and even the typical plastic laptop computer in 2026 feels surprisingly good.

However a laptop computer’s materials does make an undeniably large distinction within the day-to-day expertise. Completely different supplies can have vital impacts on weight, sturdiness, and tactile pleasure. A smooth-and-shiny aluminum laptop computer feels very completely different from a matte-surfaced magnesium laptop computer though they’re each “steel laptops.”

So, don’t underestimate chassis supplies! In case you can afford it, it is best to undoubtedly contemplate a laptop computer’s supplies when selecting a winner. With just about all laptops having Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm elements, that is a technique PC makers are actually beginning to make themselves stand out.