Microsoft has introduced its "most powerful Surface devices ever," the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, both powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark SOC. Pre-orders are now open, with a release date set for October 16, coinciding with the launch of other RTX Spark laptops.
The Surface Laptop Ultra starts at $2,599, while the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is priced at $5,999. A standout feature of the Surface Laptop Ultra is its "Magnetic Connect," a new magnetic USB Type-C charger.
Microsoft claims Magnetic Connect is a world first, allowing the charging cable to attach magnetically to the right-side USB-C port while leaving the port functional for video, data, and other USB-C devices. While conceptually similar to Apple's MagSafe, Microsoft's approach uses a proprietary cable that connects to a standard USB-C port, distinguishing it from MagSafe's dedicated connector.
The development of Magnetic Connect may also be influenced by recent EU regulations mandating USB-C charging for all new devices sold in the EU, a rule that now extends to laptops. This initiative aims to reduce e-waste by promoting a common charging standard.
Beyond the charging technology, the Surface Laptop Ultra is positioned as a high-performance machine. It is capable of running AI models exceeding 120B parameters locally, offering up to 1 petaflop of AI performance. This capability, coupled with the high memory configurations potentially driven by AI industry demands, contributes to the device's substantial $2,599 starting price. However, the prominent feature of a magnetic charger does little to mitigate the cost for consumers.