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Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra packs NVIDIA RTX Spark for pro performance

Engadget •
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Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra, positioning it as their most powerful Surface device yet. The 15-inch machine targets power users with NVIDIA's RTX Spark system-on-a-chip, abandoning the experimental hinge designs of previous high-end Surface models. Corporate VP Andrew Hill declared it "the most powerful thing we've ever made" during a press briefing.

NVIDIA's RTX Spark represents the company's push into the laptop chip market, featuring 6,144 Blackwell GPU cores alongside 20 Arm CPU cores. The chipset delivers roughly 1 petaflop of AI performance while maintaining graphics capabilities comparable to an RTX 5070 laptop GPU. Power consumption stays between single-digit watts and 80W depending on workload.

Visually, the laptop adopts a conventional workhorse design rather than Surface's typical flair. Its standout features include a 15-inch MiniLED display reaching 2,000 nits peak HDR brightness, Microsoft's largest trackpad ever, and comprehensive port selection including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and a full-size card reader. At under 4.5 pounds, it mirrors MacBook Pro's weight class and comes in black and dark silver.

Microsoft plans to launch the Surface Laptop Ultra this fall, though pricing remains undisclosed. Given the premium specifications and positioning against Apple's offerings, expect significant cost pressure. The company faces skepticism after previous Surface missteps, making execution critical for winning over professional users.