Tom's Hardware Review Finds Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Heavy and Loud
A new review of the Surface Laptop Ultra highlights performance strengths but notes significant drawbacks in weight, noise levels and software integration.
Key points
- Tom's Hardware reviewer Andrew E. Freedman found the device powerful but heavy and loud.
- The review notes Windows 11 currently fails to leverage the RTX Spark chip capabilities.
- The Magnetic Connect port and bright screen received positive marks in the assessment.
Andrew E. Freedman of Tom's Hardware has published a review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, characterizing the device as powerful yet flawed by its weight and noise levels. According to the report, the operating system does not currently take advantage of the integrated RTX Spark hardware.
The review identifies several physical and software limitations despite the machine's high performance. Freedman describes the laptop as heavy and loud during operation. He also states that Windows 11 is not utilizing the RTX Spark features effectively, leaving users waiting for future feature updates to realize the hardware's full potential.
Hardware and Software Assessment
The evaluation covers both the physical design and the software experience of the flagship ARM-based PC. Freedman praises the brightness of the display and the utility of the Magnetic Connect port. These features stand out as positive aspects of the device's build and connectivity options, according to the Tom's Hardware assessment.
However, the overall experience is tempered by the device's acoustic profile and mass. The reviewer explicitly calls out the loudness and heaviness as significant negatives. These physical traits may impact user comfort, particularly for professionals who require portability and quiet operation in shared office environments or mobile settings.
Context for AI-Ready Devices
This review follows the recent launch of the Surface Laptop Ultra, which Threat Times reported on October 16, 2026. The device was introduced as a flagship ARM-based PC aimed at professional users, featuring Nvidia RTX Spark chips and starting at a price of $2,599. It is designed to support local AI power and gaming performance.
Threat Times also reported on October 16, 2026, that Nvidia RTX Spark laptops launched to run local AI agents on Windows. These new PCs feature Blackwell chips and Grace processors, enabling the local execution of AI agents such as GitHub Copilot and Hermes. The Surface Laptop Ultra is part of this broader wave of hardware designed to support advanced local AI workloads.
The current review suggests a gap between the hardware's intended capabilities and the immediate software support. While the device is useful for running AI models, the operating system integration remains incomplete. Users may need to wait for additional Windows 11 features to fully leverage the RTX Spark architecture, as noted by the reviewer.
What should you do?
Organizations evaluating high-end AI-capable laptops should review independent assessments before large-scale procurement. Security and IT professionals should verify that the operating system version supports the specific hardware features required for their AI workloads. Users should also consider the physical constraints of the device, such as weight and noise, for their specific deployment environments.
What to do and how to stay safe: Microsoft
- Review independent hardware assessments to understand physical limitations like weight and noise before purchasing high-end laptops.
- Verify that your current operating system version fully supports the specific hardware features of new AI-capable devices.
- Test devices in your actual work environment to ensure noise levels and portability meet your operational requirements.
- Monitor vendor announcements for operating system updates that may unlock additional hardware capabilities for local AI execution.
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
What are the main criticisms of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra in the Tom's Hardware review?
The review criticizes the device for being heavy, loud, and for having an operating system that does not currently leverage the RTX Spark chip.
Does Windows 11 currently support the RTX Spark features on the Surface Laptop Ultra?
According to the review, Windows 11 does not currently take advantage of the RTX Spark features, with users waiting for more features to be added.
What positive aspects of the Surface Laptop Ultra were noted in the review?
The reviewer highlighted the device's power, the brightness of the screen, and the usefulness of the Magnetic Connect port as positive attributes.
