During the big Microsoft RTX Spark event today, the tech giant revealed its new premium Surface Laptop Ultra, which aims to go head to head with Apple’s MacBook Pro.
Starting at $2,599, the RTX Spark-powered laptop comes in one size, 16 inches, but with multiple internal configurations, up to a super-powered one that costs $5,899.
What does this laptop feature
The big news here is the Nvidia-built RTX Spark N1X processor, but Microsoft isn’t messing around with the Surface Laptop Ultra.
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Despite the ongoing RAM crisis, the Microsoft Ultra Laptop is a RAM hog with up to 128GB of RAM in some configurations. Even the basic setup starts with 24GB of unified memory.
Here’s how it looks in the basic configuration compared to Apple’s MacBook Pro:
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| Header Cell – Column 0 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra | MacBook Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
Processor | NVIDIA RTX Spark™ N1X with 5120-core GPU and 18-core CPU | Apple M5 Pro 18-core CPU, 6 super core and 12 performance |
NPU | Nvidia NPU | N/A |
Graphics | Nvidia Blackwell RTX 5120-core GPU | 20 core GPU |
memory | 24GB to 128GB LPDDR5x | 24GB to 48GB |
storage | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB SSD |
Display | 15″ PixelSense touchscreen, 3270×2180, 120Hz, HDR | 16.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, 3456 x 2234, XDR, 120Hz |
Dimensions | 9.4 x .71 / .75 x 12.95 | 9.77 x .66 x 14.01 |
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 4.7 lbs |
Battery life | 15 hours (video), 12 hours (active web) | 24 hours (video), 17 hours (active web) |
operating system | Windows 11 | macOS |
ports | 3x USB-C, DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, USB-A, SD card reader, 3.5 mm headphone jack | SDXC card slot, HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, 3x Thunderbolt 5 USB-C |
connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Threads |
It has some MacBook Pro-esque features, including MagSafe-like magnetic charging stations. It comes with advanced cooling.
Surprisingly, compared to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, the Microsoft Ultra is about $400 cheaper in its basic configurations. Although the high-end is about $900 more expensive than Apple’s comparable Pro laptop.
RTX Spark
With the Nvidia CPU, the laptop can support traditional video editing formats and 3D rendering. Use the chip and local AI to speed up editing and rendering. Microsoft claims it’s 2.1 times faster than the MacBook Pro.
Windows and Nvidia will promote this laptop as an AI machine to run agents locally and how important AI agents will be for the future. This should be important for AI enthusiasts and coders but not necessarily for average users.
What should intrigue the normal person is the creativity and play potential. We’ve already tested the RTX Spark for video editing, gaming and more. See our coverage for more detailed information.
Pre-order and launch date
Currently, you can pre-order a Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra on Microsoft’s website. The company is offering a “breakup with your MacBook” promotion that can get you up to $1,000 in cash back.
As an example, trading in a comparable 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chipset will get you $1,024. You can trade in other devices, including a phone or console like the Xbox Series X, which will get you only $200.
Pre-orders are now live, and the laptop is set to release on October 16, 2026. Stay tuned for our full review once we get one in to test.
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