Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra emerges as first true MacBook Pro rival
▼ Summary
– Several PC makers including Dell, Asus, and Lenovo are designing systems around Nvidia’s new Arm-based RTX Spark chip for Windows PCs.
– Microsoft’s flagship RTX Spark system, the Surface Laptop Ultra, will offer up to 128GB of unified memory for creators and AI builders.
– The Laptop Ultra will be positioned above the Qualcomm-based Surface Laptops in Microsoft’s lineup, following a MacBook Pro-like formula.
– The device will include USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack, plus a haptic trackpad.
– Microsoft stated the Laptop Ultra will be available “later this year” but did not disclose pricing or configuration details.
The race to build the definitive Windows machine around Nvidia’s RTX Spark chip is officially underway. Dell, Asus, Lenovo, HP, MSI, Acer, and Gigabyte are all crafting systems around this new Arm-based silicon, but the most compelling contender may come directly from the company that created Windows itself. The new Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra is a premium RTX Spark system designed to target “creators, developers, and AI builders,” offering up to 128GB of unified memory,a spec that puts it in direct competition with Apple’s top-tier hardware.
Microsoft has confirmed the Laptop Ultra will arrive “later this year,” though specific pricing and configuration details remain under wraps. This model sits above the standard Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptops in the lineup, signaling a clear push into high-performance territory. Historically, Microsoft’s attempts at powerful Surface devices have come with trade-offs. The original Surface Book featured a fully detachable screen and a hinge that never quite closed flush, while the Surface Laptop Studio adopted a bulky, sliding-screen design that limited its appeal. The Laptop Ultra is a different approach entirely. It follows the MacBook Pro formula more closely, keeping the familiar Surface Laptop silhouette while packing in significantly more power.
Port selection is generous for a machine this slim. The Laptop Ultra will include USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack. Microsoft is also touting a new haptic trackpad, calling it “the largest we’ve ever put on a Surface.” On the display front, a 15-inch PixelSense screen delivers up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, making it well-suited for HDR content creation and outdoor use.
With this release, Microsoft is finally offering a true Windows alternative to Apple’s most powerful laptops,one that doesn’t force users to compromise on design or connectivity.
(Source: Ars Technica)
