Microsoft prices the Surface with RTX Spark: the Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599

Microsoft has put a price on its two first Surface computers with NVIDIA RTX Spark and has specified when the laptop will arrive in stores.

Surface Laptop Ultra from $2,599

The Surface Laptop Ultra input configuration It costs $2,599. in the United States. Microsoft has set the start of shipments for October 16, and according to BGR, pre-orders open today. The official page consulted still shows “Get updates”, without the purchase process. The price and date for Spain remain unconfirmed.

The BGR coverage describes the input version with a 18-core CPU, 5,120-core Blackwell GPU, and 24GB of unified memory. Microsoft had already announced that the range would arrive with RTX Spark and that it would reach up to 128 GB of memory and one petaflop of AI calculation. The previously announced top configuration employs a 20-core CPU and a 6,144-core GPU.

He laptop integrates a 15-inch mini-LED touch screen3:2 format and up to 2,000 nits of HDR brightness. Microsoft specifies a thickness of less than 18 millimeters and a weight of less than two kilos. Includes USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, SD reader and headphone jack. The SSD is replaceable.

The official sheet also points out that the haptic touchpad is more than 30% larger than that of the seventh generation Surface Laptop. Microsoft estimates 2.5 times the thermal capacity compared to the Surface Laptop 15 of that generation. This comparison describes the manufacturer’s thermal design; it is not equivalent to an independent measurement of performance under sustained loads.

The event also showed a magnetic connection to charge the laptop via USB-C. The official sheet confirms USB-C ports, but does not yet clarify whether the magnetic connector occupies one of them or whether all configurations include the same charger. For now, this detail is added to the information presented on stage, while the official list of ports does not specify the loading system.

The figure of up to one petaflop describes the theoretical maximum of AI calculations announced for the chip, not the speed that any program will achieve. CPU and GPU share memory, the size of which depends on the configuration. The 24 GB of the entry model leaves less room for large models than the 128 GB of the top option. Microsoft has not yet published the price of each variant.

Dev Box for local AI development

The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box It will cost $5,999.. BGR reported that reservations would also open during the event, although the official page continues to show an option to receive news. Microsoft has not announced when it will start shipping it or its price outside the United States.

This compact computer mounts the NVIDIA RTX Spark chip, with Blackwell GPU and Grace CPUalong with 128 GB of unified memory. Microsoft announces up to one petaflop of AI computing. Actual performance will depend on model, accuracy and workload.

Microsoft claims the Dev Box can run locally models with more than 120,000 million parameters with a million-token context window at interactive speeds, or tune models that previously required GPUs in the cloud. They are maximum capacities described by the company for certain scenarios, not a guarantee that all models will achieve that response. Unified memory allows CPUs and GPUs to share the same pool of memory, although specific needs depend on the model and open applications.

The Dev Box has a 100W thermal envelope and a aluminum chassis with 1,000 ventilation openings. Microsoft proposes it for inference, model adjustment and processes with agents that can stay active for longer. Unlike the laptop, it does not require a battery or a slim design, but it occupies a fixed position and requires a monitor and keyboard, which are sold separately.

Windows 11 Pro It arrives pre-configured for programming. The official listing lists Visual Studio Code, WSL, and PowerShell 7; Microsoft blog adds GitHub Copilot, Git, Python and Node.js. The device integrates two USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet and headphone output. Project Zenith is the name of the development-ready Windows experience. BGR credits Microsoft for announcing that the Dev Box will be sold with it.

Project Zenith is a Windows setup for development teams that Microsoft introduced in September. The company describes it as a program-ready environment, with installed tools and settings designed to reduce initial preparation. Microsoft establishes a minimum of 64 GB of unified memory and 250 GB/s of bandwidth as a base for Zenith equipment. The 128 GB Dev Box exceeds that requirement.

The prices reported correspond to the United States. The company has not announced amounts in euros or a calendar for Spain. The direct conversion of $2,599 does not allow us to anticipate the European price, which will depend on taxes, configuration and distribution. It is also unknown how much the higher versions of the laptop will cost.