Microsoft unveils $2,599 AI-powered surface laptop

Microsoft has unveiled its new Surface Ultra laptop powered by Nvidia’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips, marking a major step in its drive to bring advanced AI capabilities directly to personal computers.

The company announced on Wednesday that the premium device, priced at $2,599, will begin shipping on October 16, 2026.

The launch reflects a broader shift in the technology industry toward devices capable of processing AI tasks locally, reducing reliance on cloud-based data centres and enabling faster, more efficient performance even when offline.

Speaking at the launch event in San Francisco, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella said the future of computing lies in what he described as “hybrid intelligence,” where AI seamlessly operates across both local devices and cloud platforms.

“The trajectory for me is so clear. There will never be a moment where we will say, ‘This runs locally, this runs in the cloud.’ You will expect this hybrid intelligence to be everywhere,” Nadella said.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who joined Nadella at the event, said artificial intelligence would become central to future computing, with autonomous or “agentic” AI systems expected to transform software development and everyday digital experiences.

“With all the changes from AI, the computer has to be revolutionised,” Huang said.

The new Surface Ultra is powered by Nvidia’s RTX Spark AI processor, allowing some AI workloads to run directly on the device while more complex tasks continue to be handled through Microsoft’s cloud services.

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Microsoft Executive Vice President for Windows and Devices, Pavan Davuluri, said the laptop was designed for developers, creators and professionals requiring high-performance AI computing.

The partnership strengthens Microsoft’s position in the fast-growing AI personal computer market, where it competes with rivals including Apple, Intel, AMD and Qualcomm.

Apple recently introduced new Mac desktop computers with enhanced on-device AI capabilities, while Microsoft has been expanding its AI PC strategy since 2024.

The announcement comes weeks after Microsoft integrated Word, Excel and PowerPoint into its AI assistant, Copilot, as part of efforts to make artificial intelligence the centrepiece of its productivity software.

Microsoft has also intensified efforts to develop its own AI models, reducing its dependence on OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, while maintaining its position as the company’s largest shareholder under a revised long-term partnership agreement.