Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Review: A Powerful But Pricey AI PC The Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra is a powerful but expensive ARM-based laptop that emphasizes local AI and portability, with prices starting at $2,600 and reaching nearly $6,000. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra is Microsoft's latest high-performance laptop, built for heavy-duty tasks like encoding and rendering, with a focus on combining power and portability. Starting at $2,600 and reaching nearly $6,000 for a top configuration, this ARM-based device aims to define local compute in the so-called AI era. After testing it for over a week, it stands out as Microsoft's best laptop yet, though it comes with trade-offs. Design and Build Quality of the Surface Laptop UltraThe Surface Laptop Ultra features a 15-inch touchscreen and an all-aluminum chassis that is sturdy with no discernible flex in the keyboard. It weighs 4.5 pounds and is 18mm thick, making it heavier and thicker than Apple's latest MacBook Pros. The review unit came in the Nightfall color, which is sleeker than the Platinum version. Ports include USB-A, HDMI, a headphone jack, a full-sized SD card reader, and two USB-C ports on the left plus one on the right.Despite its density, the laptop fits easily into a backpack, and the build quality is excellent. Small design touches, like screws hidden under the feet, enhance its sleek appearance. However, the webcam is not spectacular, though facial biometric unlock is impressively fast.Performance and ARM-Based Trade-OffsThe Surface Laptop Ultra is powered by an ARM-based Nvidia N1X chip, available in two versions. The base model starts at $2,600 with 24GB of unified memory and a lower-end CPU and GPU. The review configuration, with 128GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and a top-end 20-core processor, costs nearly $6,000. While it handles heavy tasks well, it is not as performant as the MacBook Pro in raw CPU and GPU capabilities.ARM-based design brings trade-offs. Many apps and games must run through emulation, which can be slower, especially for heavy-duty apps like games that take longer to load than on x86 platforms. Nvidia is still working through rough edges, but ARM-native apps on Windows 11 have increased, thanks to Qualcomm's efforts.AI Features and Local Compute FocusMicrosoft positions the Surface Laptop Ultra as an AI-first experience, encouraging users to run local AI agents rather than relying solely on Copilot. The laptop provides a good opportunity to experiment with local LLMs, though it may not convert everyone into AI enthusiasts. The AI capabilities are tied to the laptop model, with the high-end version offering more power for such tasks.Battery life is a strong point, as these high-performing laptops do not sacrifice battery for power. The Surface Laptop Ultra offers a balance of portability and power, but potential buyers should consider the quirks of the ARM platform and the high price, especially for the maxed-out version.Comparison and Final ThoughtsCompared to Apple's MacBook Pro, the Surface Laptop Ultra is heavier, thicker, and less powerful in raw performance. However, it provides unique capabilities and a solid build. It is not a direct MacBook Pro analog, but it is a compelling option for those who need a Windows laptop with local AI capabilities. The starting price of $2,600 makes it accessible, but the nearly $6,000 top model is a significant investment.In summary, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra is a strong sign that local compute power is essential in the AI era. It is a super solid laptop with unique features, but users must accept the ARM-based trade-offs. For many, it may be the favorite laptop of the year, provided they can justify the cost.