Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 6 hrs ago
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra draws comparisons with Apple's MacBook Pro
Microsoft has unveiled the high-end Surface Laptop Ultra, one of several new laptops with Nvidia RTX Spark processors.
Its Mini-LED screen and magnetic USB-C charging port resemble features of Apple's MacBook Pro.
The screen reaches up to 2,000 nits of brightness, but it lacks local dimming, which hurts contrast and black levels.
Review testing also found slow screen response times, while the laptop's build and input devices were praised.
Battery life was just over 10 hours, and the 15-inch laptop was described as relatively heavy and thick.
Tests of other RTX Spark laptops are still to come, giving the Surface Laptop Ultra more competition to face.
Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Ultra has drawn comparisons with Apple’s MacBook Pro over its Mini-LED display and magnetic USB-C charging port.
Notebookcheck said the Surface’s display lacks local dimming, harming black levels and contrast.
The panel reaches up to 2,000 nits but has slow response times, and the review found its image quality worse than the MacBook Pro’s Mini-LED panel and OLED competitors.
The 15-inch laptop has a premium chassis and high-quality input devices, but Notebookcheck noted wobbly hinges and a relatively heavy, thick design.
Its battery life was just over 10 hours, which the review described as average.
- Who
- Microsoft introduced the Surface Laptop Ultra. Notebookcheck reviewed it.
- What
- The high-end laptop was compared with Apple’s MacBook Pro, particularly for its display and magnetic USB-C charging port.
- When
- It was unveiled last week, according to the article published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Its Mini-LED display and magnetic USB-C charging port resemble features of the MacBook Pro.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra was unveiled among several high-end laptops featuring Nvidia’s RTX Spark processors.
Notebookcheck published its article about the Surface Laptop Ultra and its comparisons with the MacBook Pro.
- Display brightness
- Up to 2,000 nits
- Battery life
- Just over 10 hours
- Screen size
- 15 inches
- Review outlet
- Notebookcheck
- Publication date
- 2026-10-24