Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Review Praises Local AI Compute Power
Gizmodo’s review highlights the Surface Laptop Ultra as Microsoft’s best PC yet, citing strong local AI capabilities despite high costs and ARM emulation quirks.
Key points
- The device costs up to $5,900 and is heavier than MacBook Pros.
- It runs on an ARM-based Nvidia RTX Spark platform with emulation needs.
- The laptop prioritizes local AI agents over cloud-based Copilot integration.
Microsoft has released the Surface Laptop Ultra, a high-performance device that Gizmodo’s review describes as the company’s best laptop to date. The publication’s assessment, published recently, emphasizes the machine’s focus on local compute power for artificial intelligence tasks rather than competing directly with Apple’s hardware metrics.
The review notes that while the laptop is not a direct MacBook Pro analog, it offers benefits in portability and power. According to Gizmodo, the device is heavier and thicker than Apple’s latest models and lacks the raw CPU and GPU performance of the M5 Max chip. However, these high-performing laptops do not trade off battery life for the sake of pumping out extra power.
Hardware and Platform Trade-offs
The Surface Laptop Ultra runs on Nvidia’s RTX Spark platform, which utilizes an ARM-based architecture. This design choice introduces specific challenges for users accustomed to x86 systems. Gizmodo reports that many applications and games must run through emulation, leading to longer load times for heavy-duty software. These delays persist beyond the initial run, indicating a systemic performance hit for non-native apps.
Nvidia is still working through the rough edges of this ARM-based design, according to the review. While Qualcomm’s efforts have increased the number of ARM-native apps on Windows 11, the experience is not yet seamless. Users may encounter friction when running legacy software or games that rely on x86 instructions, requiring patience during startup and execution phases.
AI-First Experience
Microsoft positions the Surface Laptop Ultra as an AI-first device, but not in the way many expect. The review clarifies that the system does not inundate users with Copilot features at every turn. Instead, it is a Windows 11 experience that wants users to experiment with running their own local AI agents. This approach encourages direct interaction with local large language models.
The reviewer found the laptop to be an effective tool for dipping into local LLMs, though they did not become a full convert to agent-based workflows. The experience mirrors recent adventures with other devices like the M6 Mac mini, allowing the reviewer to start seeing the appeal. This shift highlights a move toward on-device AI processing for intelligent computing tasks.
What should you do?
Professionals evaluating this device should assess their software compatibility requirements before purchasing. Users relying heavily on x86-specific applications or games should test emulation performance with their critical tools. Those interested in local AI development may find the hardware compelling, despite the premium price point.
Background: Large language models
Large language models are a specific type of neural network trained on text. Generative AI is the broader umbrella term for any system that creates new content, including images and code. Not all generative AI uses large language models, but most modern text generators do.
What to do and how to stay safe: Microsoft
- Verify that critical x86 applications run acceptably via emulation on ARM-based Windows 11 systems.
- Evaluate battery life expectations against raw performance benchmarks for your specific workload.
- Test local AI agent workflows to determine if on-device processing meets your needs.
- Compare the total cost of ownership against MacBook Pro alternatives for similar professional tasks.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Surface Laptop Ultra a direct replacement for the MacBook Pro?
No, Gizmodo states it is not quite the MacBook Pro analog, as it is heavier, thicker, and less performant in raw CPU and GPU benchmarks.
What is the maximum price of the Surface Laptop Ultra?
The device has a maximum price point of $5,900, according to the review.
Does the laptop rely heavily on Copilot?
The review notes the experience does not inundate users with Copilot, instead focusing on running local AI agents and LLMs.
