Surface Laptop Ultra hands-on: a refined 16-inch machine powered by NVIDIA's RTX Spark
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra is a understated but high-quality 16-inch laptop starting at $2,599. Engadget's reviewer sees it as a potential dream machine for AI developers.
Engadget's Devindra Hardawar has spent a short time with Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra, which the company describes as the most powerful Surface Laptop it has made. The device was first shown in June, and even then its look struck observers as unusually conventional.
Design without gimmicks
The laptop has no unusual hinges or showy Surface-specific features. The reviewer says it resembles an Apple MacBook Pro even more than the standard Surface Laptop or the Laptop Studio do. He likens it to a sturdy, minimalist Volvo rather than a flashy BMW or Audi.
The aluminum body glowed under studio lights, the screen was surprisingly bright, and the overall look was clean.
Build quality and feel
The reviewer says quality is evident throughout. The keyboard offers an appropriate amount of tactile feedback, and the large haptic touchpad feels smooth and responsive.
The machine is heavy, though it weighs under 4.5 pounds, which is typical for 16-inch workhorse laptops. It is still lighter than Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro and feels just as sturdy.
Audience and price
The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599. It can be configured with up to 128GB of RAM, so it could suit AI developers who need a powerful yet portable system. According to the reviewer, it feels better than any other Windows laptop he has held.
