Microsoft has opened pre-orders for the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium Windows laptop built on NVIDIA’s RTX Spark platform. The device starts at $2,599 and is scheduled to begin shipping on October 16, giving Microsoft an early position in the next wave of Arm-based Windows laptops designed for AI, creative work, and high-performance computing.
The Surface Laptop Ultra is powered by NVIDIA’s N1X platform, combining an Arm-based CPU with Blackwell graphics. The entry-level model includes an 18-core NVIDIA N1X CPU, a 5120-core NVIDIA Blackwell GPU, 24 GB of unified memory, and a 512 GB SSD. For users who need significantly more power, Microsoft will also offer higher-end configurations with up to 128 GB of unified memory, a 20-core CPU, a 6144-core GPU, and a 1 TB SSD. That fully loaded version reaches $5,899.
One of the biggest highlights of the Surface Laptop Ultra is its focus on local AI performance. The option for 128 GB of unified memory is especially important for users who want to run larger AI models directly on the laptop rather than depending on cloud-based services. This makes the device appealing to developers, researchers, creators, and professionals working with generative AI, machine learning tools, and advanced productivity workflows.
The laptop also features a 15-inch mini-LED HDR touchscreen with peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits. That display specification positions it as a strong option for media editing, design work, content creation, and HDR video playback. Microsoft is also promoting the device as capable of gaming, with demonstrations showing titles such as Gears of War: E-Day running at 60 FPS.
Despite its performance-focused hardware, the Surface Laptop Ultra remains relatively portable at around 4.5 pounds. Microsoft has also included a wide selection of ports, which should appeal to professionals who rely on external displays, cameras, storage drives, and other accessories. Connectivity options include three USB Type-C ports, USB-A, HDMI, a full-size SD card reader, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Another notable change is the move to magnetic USB Type-C charging. This replaces the traditional Surface Connect port and gives the laptop a more modern charging setup while keeping the convenience of a magnetic connector.
The $2,599 starting price makes the Surface Laptop Ultra particularly interesting when compared with similar RTX Spark laptops from HP. HP’s OmniBook X 14 starts at $2,999, while the larger OmniBook Ultra 16 begins at $3,199. Higher-end HP configurations can climb to around $4,499 for the 14-inch model and roughly $4,999 for the 16-inch version.
Microsoft’s lower starting price gives the Surface Laptop Ultra a clear advantage for buyers looking to enter the RTX Spark ecosystem at a reduced cost. However, the comparison is not entirely straightforward. HP’s models may offer different advantages depending on the configuration, including more memory, larger storage options, and OLED displays with refresh rates up to 120 Hz.
Still, Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra stands out as one of the most ambitious Surface devices yet. With NVIDIA Blackwell graphics, a powerful Arm-based processor, a bright mini-LED touchscreen, broad port selection, and up to 128 GB of unified memory, it is clearly aimed at users who want more than a traditional productivity laptop.
For buyers interested in AI laptops, high-performance Windows machines, and next-generation Arm-based computing, the Surface Laptop Ultra could become one of the most important premium laptop launches of the year. Pre-orders are now open, with shipping set to begin on October 16.
