Microsoft is set to launch two new Surface devices later this year, featuring Nvidia’s RTX Spark chips. The Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box utilize the same chip but are tailored for different use cases, as demonstrated at Microsoft’s Build conference this week.
The Surface Laptop Ultra resembles a 16-inch MacBook Pro in design, functioning as a clamshell laptop focused on performance. It includes a 15-inch mini LED panel capable of reaching up to 2,000 nits of HDR brightness, the highest brightness ever achieved on a Surface device.
This model features a trackpad that is not only larger than previous Surface trackpads but also supports new haptics in Windows 11. Users will experience distinct haptic feedback, enhancing interactions with user interface elements such as sliders and close buttons.
Despite its heft in comparison to the Surface Laptop 7, the increased weight of the Surface Laptop Ultra is attributed to its focus on performance and battery life. Andrew Hill, corporate vice president of Surface product, emphasized the importance of prioritizing performance and battery life during the design process.
During demonstrations, the Surface Laptop Ultra handled various tasks, including running a local AI model while enabling gameplay of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Heat dissipation above the keyboard was noticeable, but not excessive, attributed to two quiet fans used for cooling.
The internal design of the Surface Laptop Ultra emphasizes repairability, showcasing a tidily arranged structure that Microsoft hopes to validate with future repairability ratings. Furthermore, the device includes multiple ports, such as two USB-C ports and an HDMI port on the left, and a USB-C, a USB-A port, and an SD card reader on the right, with an intriguing wider USB-C port on the right side.
Hill indicated that more details about the unique USB-C port may be forthcoming, as the Surface Laptop Ultra forgoes Microsoft’s traditional magnetic charging port. Although the Copilot Plus PC branding remains viable, it is not a focal point for this device; instead, Microsoft is targeting professional users, creators, and developers who can benefit from local AI computing without incurring cloud costs.
Alongside the Surface Laptop Ultra, Microsoft briefly showcased the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box. This compact PC targets developers needing powerful local AI capabilities, featuring a 3D-printed aluminum body and 1,000 air vents to suggest its compute performance. It offers similar connectivity to the Laptop Ultra, including USB-C and HDMI ports.
Notably, the Dev Box has a higher thermal envelope of 100 watts, allowing it to handle sustained workloads, particularly those utilizing Nvidia’s Tensor cores for AI tasks and gaming enhancements through DLSS technology.
Pricing for both devices remains undetermined, with expectations of being at the higher end of the premium PC market. Further details are anticipated later this year.
Source: www.theverge.com via Google News.
