Microsoft’s got a new laptop to take on Apple’s MacBook Pro, and it’s an absolute powerhouse.
Called the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, it runs on Nvidia’s RX Spark N1X chip that either has a 5,120-core GPU and an 18-core CPU, or a 6,144-core GPU and a 20-core CPU.
Memory options range from 24 to 128GB, and storage is either 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.
The specs above are important for developers and AI creators, as they offer a massive amount of AI computing in a portable form factor.
With the Surface Laptop Ultra, you’ll be able to run local AI agents with more than 120 billion parameters, which is roughly on par with what you can do with Apple’s most powerful MacBook Pro.
The Surface Laptop Ultra boasts a 15-inch PixelSense Ultra display and a 3,270×2,180 pixel resolution and a 120HZ refresh rate, and a battery that’s good for 12 hours of active web usage or 15 hours of local video playback.
It weighs 4.5lbs, it’s only 18 millimeters thin when closed, and it’s available in two colors: Platinum and Nightfall.
In terms of connectivity, you get three USB-C port, one USB-A port, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack.
If you need more proof that Microsoft is positioning this one as an alternative to the MacBook Pro, consider Magnetic Connect; it’s essentially Microsoft’s version of MagSafe, only with a USB-C port.
Oh, and if you trade in an eligible MacBook, you get a $1,000 “break up” bonus.
by Kofi Acquah
