Microsoft makes Windows work better with AI agents, launches Surface Laptop Ultra with 128GB RAM

Covered by Tom's Guide, CNET and 10 more since

  • Microsoft
  • Nvidia
  • Apple Inc.
  • San Francisco
  • Satya Nadella
  • OpenAI
  • Hewlett-Packard
  • Asus
A sleek silver laptop on a wooden desk, its screen glowing with abstract blue and violet light, in a bright studio with city hills outside.

What happened

At a Windows and Surface event in San Francisco on Oct. 7, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra, built on Nvidia's RTX Spark chip with up to 128GB of memory and starting at $2,599. It also showed a Windows 11 overhaul that lets Copilot find your files and act for you, mixing on-device and cloud AI.

Summary

Microsoft's new flagship laptop is aimed at developers and creators who want to run AI on the machine itself. The 15-inch Surface Laptop Ultra runs on Nvidia's RTX Spark chip and can be ordered now. Most outlets say it ships Oct. 16, though ZDNet's opening lines give Oct. 18. The base model has 24GB of memory and a 512GB drive for $2,599. PC Magazine and CNET put the 32GB version at about $3,300, while Tom's Guide lists a $3,699 configuration with a faster chip. The top 128GB model costs about $5,900. Microsoft also announced a $5,999 desktop, the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box. [1] [2] [3] [6] [7] [8] [12]

The software news may reach more people. Microsoft calls its approach "Hybrid Intelligence": Windows uses AI models on your own PC when it can and cloud models when a task needs more power. Copilot is getting the ability to read local files and take actions. In one demo, its Autopilot agent gathered tax documents, zipped them and drafted an email to an accountant. Copilot lead Jacob Andreou said these features arrive over the "next couple months". A new Windows 11 search bar coming this fall will handle tasks like switching to dark mode. A security tool called Microsoft Execution Containers keeps agents inside a sandbox, a walled-off space with set limits. [5] [8] [10] [11] [12]

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang appeared together at the launch. Huang said the companies had "reinvented the computer as we know it". Microsoft says running AI locally keeps data private and can cut costs. It also posted a benchmark claiming the laptop is 2 to 6 times faster than Apple's M5 Pro MacBook Pro on some tasks, including image and video generation. Reviewers have not fully tested the machine yet. Some outlets point to a memory shortage as one reason for the high prices, and Ars Technica notes that questions about security and whether users will accept AI agents remain open. [1] [3] [4] [7] [8] [12]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

How much does the Surface Laptop Ultra cost and when can I get it?

It starts at $2,599 with 24GB of memory and a 512GB drive, and the 128GB model costs about $5,900. Preorders are open, and most outlets say shipping begins Oct. 16. [1] [2] [8] [12]

What is Microsoft's Hybrid Intelligence?

It is Microsoft's plan for Windows to combine AI models that run on your own PC with cloud models. Local models are used when possible, especially for tasks involving sensitive files. [5] [8] [12]

How will Microsoft keep AI agents from accessing data they shouldn't?

Microsoft announced Microsoft Execution Containers, a framework that confines agents to a sandbox. Organizations can set rules for what each agent may access, and Windows enforces them. It is available to developers now. [10] [12]

Sources 12

  1. 1Tom's Guide

    Surface Laptop Ultra vs. MacBook Pro M5 Pro: Biggest differences explained

    Here's how the Surface Laptop Ultra stacks up against the MacBook Pro, based on what we know The Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra is real and promises to be a powerhouse.

    Tony Polanco

    Read on Tom's Guide (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2CNET

    The Surface Laptop Ultra Is Here: Microsoft and Nvidia Built a Premium Computer for the AI Age

    Katelyn is a reporter with CNET covering artificial intelligence, including chatbots, image and video generators....

    Katelyn Chedraoui

    Read on CNET (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3pcgamer

    Microsoft seems very excited about its new magnetic USB Type-C charger for the Surface Laptop Ultra, but it don't impress me much

    Microsoft has just unveiled what it's calling the "most powerful Surface devices ever." Both powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark SOC, the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box are both…

    Jess Kinghorn

    Read on pcgamer (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Fortune

    Fortune Tech: Microsoft revamps Windows for agentic AI

    Good morning. Just a reminder that our Fortune Brainstorm AI is comin' up quick -- it's December 7 to 8 at the St Regis San Francisco. World Labs' Fei-Fei Li is coming.

    Andrew Nusca

    Read on Fortune (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5The Verge

    Microsoft is giving Copilot more control over Windows and your files

    At today's Windows and Surface event, Microsoft showed off an upgrade to its Copilot AI system that will give it access to local files on your PC and the ability to take actions across the OS.

    Jay Peters

    Read on The Verge (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Gizmodo

    I'll Be Honest, I've Always Wanted a PC Like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra

    Fans of Microsoft Surface devices have had to suffer a lot of indignity lately. The Windows makers' laptops cost more than ever.

    Kyle Barr

    Read on Gizmodo (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7ZDNet

    Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra finally has a starting price (you should sit down)

    * The new Surface Laptop Ultra launches Oct. 18. * It's thoughtfully designed but very pricey. * The Ultra marks a shift in where PCs are headed.

    Kyle Kucharski

    Read on ZDNet (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8PC Magazine

    Preorders Begin for Microsoft's Cutting-Edge RTX Spark Mobile PCs. Yes, They're Pricey, But Here's Why

    Microsoft is opening preorders for Nvidia-powered RTX Spark laptops today, with the first products scheduled to ship on Oct. 16. But expect some wild pricing, partly due to the memory shortage.

    Michael Kan

    Read on PC Magazine (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9Mashable

    The best Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deals save you up to $750

    Shopping for a new Windows laptop? Microsoft Surface Laptop Prime Day deals are quite excellent today. Thank goodness for that.

    Haley Henschel

    Read on Mashable (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10Markets Insider

    Microsoft (MSFT) Launches AI Computer Equipped with Coding Agent

    Microsoft (MSFT) has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-enabled (AI) personal computer (PC) that is embedded with a desktop coding agent.

    Read on Markets Insider (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11XDA-Developers

    Microsoft reveals the AI-powered taskbar I've always wanted at Windows and Surface 2026

    This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

    Simon Batt

    Read on XDA-Developers (opens in a new tab)
  12. 12Ars Technica

    Microsoft event debuts new AI-friendly hardware and Windows changes

    In its first live event in two years, Microsoft today announced its newest Surface laptop, outlined a host of changes coming to Windows 11, and shared a vision of how local-AI and agentic workflows…

    Read on Ars Technica (opens in a new tab)