At $5,900, Surface Laptop Ultra review finds a different kind of MacBook for local AI
Premium design, distinct display
The all-aluminum laptop has a high-end finish, a large haptic trackpad and a “nightfall” color similar to Apple’s space black. Its 15-inch MicroLED screen reaches up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and has a 3:2 aspect ratio, touchscreen support and a resolution of 3270 x 2180.
Microsoft says this is the brightest display it has shipped on a Surface Laptop. The ports include three USB-C connections, USB-A, HDMI 2.1b, an SD card reader and a headphone jack.
Charging and everyday features
Magnetic Connect adds a detachable charging connection through the USB-C port on the laptop’s right side. The connector can be reversed at the power brick, leaving a regular USB-C end available to charge other devices.
The trackpad provides tactile feedback for actions including clicks, drags and aligning objects in PowerPoint, though support varies by app. A 1080p camera supports Windows Hello and Windows Studio Effects, including automatic framing, eye contact and background blur.
Local AI has trade-offs
Microsoft developed the laptop with Nvidia to showcase its new Arm-based RTX Spark chips. The hardware is meant to run demanding AI models locally, alongside current AAA games and creative apps, but getting useful results from local AI can be complicated.
The review describes local AI as feeling like a beta and flags sound and display bugs as well as underwhelming CPU performance. Microsoft also said the battery pauses charging when full and resumes once its level reaches 95 percent; the reviewer observed Windows showing 97 percent after unplugging a fully charged laptop.
Key points
- The $5,900 laptop combines Microsoft’s hardware with Nvidia’s Arm-based RTX Spark chips.
- Its 15-inch MicroLED touchscreen reaches up to 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness.
- Magnetic Connect uses a USB-C port and can leave a connector free for other devices.
- Local AI may require coding experience or patience, while the review also flags bugs and weak CPU performance.