Microsoft opens preorders for the Surface Laptop Ultra from $2,599, shipping October 16; it has a breakaway port like Apple's MagSafe, but on a standard USB-C

A breakaway USB-C port is now available, preventing accidental desk dislodging from the power cable.

Microsoft has announced that preorders for its new Surface Laptop Ultra are now open, with prices starting at $2,599 and shipping commencing on October 16. Unveiled during an October 7th keynote, the device features a 15-inch mini-LED screen, a substantial haptic trackpad, and three USB-C ports. Notably, one of these USB-C ports is a world-first breakaway design, inspired by Apple's MagSafe and Microsoft's own Surface Connect, which detaches if the cable is tripped over to prevent the laptop from being pulled off a desk. This breakaway functionality has previously only been possible with proprietary ports, making its implementation on a standard USB-C port a significant development. The Surface Laptop Ultra is positioned as Microsoft's most expensive and powerful Surface PC to date, with high-end configurations tailored for demanding AI development tasks.

The introduction of a breakaway USB-C port on the Surface Laptop Ultra marks a significant innovation in laptop connectivity, addressing a common user frustration of devices being pulled off desks by tripped cables. By integrating this safety feature into a universal USB-C standard, Microsoft could influence other manufacturers to adopt similar designs, enhancing user experience and potentially reducing hardware damage across the industry. This move suggests a growing emphasis on user-centric design elements that go beyond raw performance, potentially setting a new baseline for premium laptop features.

This development also highlights Microsoft's continued push to differentiate its Surface line with unique hardware innovations, especially as it targets demanding AI workloads. The Surface Laptop Ultra's high starting price and powerful specifications, including the 18-core RTX Spark GPU and substantial RAM, position it as a premium device for professionals and enthusiasts. The combination of cutting-edge hardware and thoughtful usability features like the breakaway port signals a strategy to capture a segment of the market that values both power and practical design.