Microsoft Starts Shipping Its Surface Laptop Built for Local AI
Microsoft says the laptop is built to run local AI models and demanding games, with a 6,144-core GPU and prices starting at $2,599.
- Microsoft's $5,900 Surface Laptop Ultra showcases Nvidia's Arm-based RTX Spark chips, pairing a 20-core CPU with a 6,144-CUDA-core GPU on a single integrated chip alongside 128GB of unified memory.
- This device represents a significant shift for Windows on Arm, as it pairs an Arm CPU with a discrete Nvidia GPU to enable local AI model processing and gaming capabilities previously unavailable on ARM-based laptops.
- In raw CPU benchmarks, the laptop trails the M5 Max MacBook Pro by nearly 44% in Geekbench 7 multi-core tests, while x86 to Arm emulation causes heavy applications and games to face loading delays.
- Weighing 4.41 pounds, the laptop includes a magnetic USB-C charging port and delivers 10 hours of battery life for typical tasks, though it remains thicker and heavier than 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
- Positioned at $2,599 for the base model, the Surface Laptop Ultra functions as a premium experiment for local AI users; potential buyers must weigh cost against x86-based alternatives offering proven performance and software compatibility.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Surface Laptop Ultra review: a different kind of MacBook Pro
After setting up Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra, I spent five minutes just staring at it. I wasn't surprised by its MacBook Pro-like design or blown away by its bright display. I was trying to work out what I'd actually do with a $5,900 laptop. This isn't just any regular Windows laptop. Microsoft has teamed up […]
Surface Laptop Ultra Review : 10 Things to Know About Microsoft's $2,599 RTX Spark Laptop Before You Buy It
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra launches with Nvidia RTX Spark silicon, exceptional local AI performance and a vivid display, while early reviews question its price and software optimisation.
The Surface Laptop Ultra Takes a Bite of the Apple
With 1,344 dimming zones, it’s the brightest laptop screen ever made. Using my colorimeter, I measured 987 nits of brightness in SDR and 1,945 nits in HDR in a 9 percent window. The result is pretty stunning HDR performance. Games and movies look spectacular on this screen, even without the perfect black levels OLED would provide. Add in the 120-Hz refresh rate, and you have a beautiful display for gaming—especially in more visually immersive, s…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
