Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra, the first laptop built on Nvidia’s RTX Spark platform, begins shipping on October 16. Unveiled at the October 7 Surface event, it pairs an N1X processor with a Blackwell graphics chip and up to 128GB of unified memory. Prices start at $2,599 in the US and 2,899 euros in Germany. We have not seen a confirmed price for France.
Surface Laptop Ultra: configurations and prices
Every model shares the same screen, ports and chassis. Only the performance hardware changes. Per Windows Central for the US:
- Base model, $2,599: 18-core N1X CPU, 5,120-core Blackwell GPU, 24GB unified memory, 512GB storage.
- Mid-tier, from $3,699.99: 20-core CPU, 6,144-core GPU, 32GB memory and at least 1TB of SSD.
- Top model, up to $5,899.99: the most powerful Spark chip, 128GB unified memory and 1TB SSD.
In Germany, PC Games Hardware lists 2,899 euros for the base version (24GB, 512GB) up to 6,879 euros for the top configuration (128GB, 1TB). The full 20-core chip starts at 4,239 euros with 32GB. Pre-orders include a 140W USB-C charger; in Germany the standard package only contains the magnetic USB-C cable.
What the RTX Spark platform brings
Nvidia and Microsoft are targeting creators, AI builders, scientists and engineers. The design pairs an N1X processor, a Blackwell-generation RTX graphics block and unified memory shared between CPU and GPU. Shared memory lets the GPU reach large datasets without copying them, which helps with AI models and heavy 3D scenes.
It is not a dedicated gaming machine, Windows Central notes, but the graphics chip handles ray tracing, path tracing and DLSS.
Display, ports and battery life
The laptop has a 15-inch PixelSense mini-LED touchscreen that Microsoft rates at up to 1,000 nits in SDR and 2,000 nits in HDR. Ports include HDMI 2.1b, one USB-A, three USB-C with USB4, an SD card reader and Wi-Fi 7. The SSD is user-replaceable, PCIe Gen 4 on the 512GB drive and Gen 5 on the 1TB and 2TB models.
Microsoft promises up to 15 hours of local video playback or 12 hours of web browsing. A caution: those figures come from a pre-production unit with reduced screen brightness. Independent tests will show real-world endurance.
Steep prices in an expensive memory market
Windows Central calls the pricing high and ties it to the memory and storage shortage hitting the whole industry, the same one squeezing the smartphone market. With 128GB of unified memory, the bill climbs fast.
What it means for you
If you do video editing, 3D work or local AI, this laptop deserves a place on your shortlist. For office work or leisure, a $2,599 machine is hard to justify. Wait for independent reviews before pre-ordering, and check the French price once it is published.
Key takeaways on the Surface Laptop Ultra
The Surface Laptop Ultra opens the era of Windows laptops with Nvidia RTX Spark, with serious promises and a price to match. Does it tempt you? Tell us in the comments and watch Wanda-techs.com for upcoming PC reviews and news.
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