Tag: Mac Studio rival

  • Microsoft unveils Mac Studio rival with Nvidia RTX and 128GB RAM

    Microsoft unveils Mac Studio rival with Nvidia RTX and 128GB RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Microsoft’s Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is a new Mac Studio rival using Nvidia’s RTX Spark chipset.
    – The Dev Box pushes a 20-core ARM CPU and 6,144 Blackwell CUDA cores to 100W.
    – It includes 128 GB of unified memory in an aluminum body.
    – Multiple ports are featured in this mini-PC design.
    – Availability is set for 2026 via Microsoft’s online store; pricing is unannounced.

    Microsoft Doubles Down on Nvidias New Chip

    Yesterday, Microsoft joined multiple manufacturers in embracing Nvidia’s nascent RTX Spark chipset. As we discussed separately, the Surface Laptop Ultra combines the RTX Spark with a 2,000-nit Mini LED display in a design that is already being compared with the MacBook Pro 16 we reviewed earlier this year (curr. $2,529 on Amazon). This new chip is clearly making waves.

    A New Mac Studio Rival Emerges

    However, Microsoft is not done with Nvidia’s RTX Spark chipset just yet. Instead, it has now presented the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box during its Microsoft Build 2026 opening keynote as a new Mac Studio rival. While the Dev Box utilises the same RTX Spark chipset as the Surface Laptop Ultra, the former can push the latter’s 20 ARM CPU and 6,144 Blackwell CUDA cores to 100 W. Also, Microsoft has included the following ports within its new mini-PC:

    • Something like Thunderbolt 5 for data
    • Dual 10Gb Ethernet for networking
    • Multiple USB-C ports for peripherials

    Specs and Availability

    Moreover, Microsoft plans to offer the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box with 128 GB of unified memory encased in an aluminium body. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box should be available in 2026 through Microsoft’s online store. Pricing remains unknown for now, though. Incidentally, Microsoft has been here before with the short-lived Windows Dev Kit 2023. One can sign up to receive more information about the Surface RTX Spark Dev Box via Microsoft’s dedicated microsite.


    Sources

    Tags: , , , ,
  • Asus Pro-Grade Mini PC: RTX Spark, 140W Cooling, 128GB RAM

    Asus Pro-Grade Mini PC: RTX Spark, 140W Cooling, 128GB RAM

    Key Takeaway

    – Powered by Nvidia RTX Spark superchip with 1 petaflop AI performance
    – Fits 128GB unified memory, handling 90GB+ 3D scenes and 120B-parameter LLMs
    – Compact 150x150x51mm chassis with 140W thermal headroom for sustained workloads
    – High-bandwidth connectivity and storage for professional studios and edge AI
    – Part of Asus ProArt ecosystem, compatible with AI tools like Creator Hub, MuseTree, and StoryCube

    Along side the anouncement of the new ProArt P16 and P14 MacBook Pro rivals, Asus has unveiled the new ProArt Mini PC, a direct competitor to the just-announced HP OmniDesk mini PC. Designed to bring workstation-class generative AI and large-scale rendering capabilities for those who don’t have a large desk, Asus’ Mac Studio rival is built entirely around the new Nvidia RTX Spark superchip platform.

    Small Size, Massive AI Power

    Despite measuring only 150x150x51mm, the ProArt Mini PC is engineered to handle intensive AI workloads that typically require much larger hardware. The tiny PC is powered by the Nvidia RTX Spark superchip, which integrates an Nvidia Blackwell-based RTX GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores and a 20-core Nvidia Grace CPU.

    Unified Memory and Insane Performance

    The system utilizes a unified memory architecture supporting up to 128GB of RAM. By allowing dynamic memory allocation between system and graphics resources, the device is optimized to handle massive datasets, such as 90GB+ 3D scenes or 120B-parameter Large Language Models (LLMs) with up to 1 million tokens of context. Asus rates the system at 1 petaflop of AI performance.

    Maintaining performance stability in a chassis this small requires sophisticated thermal management. The ProArt Mini PC features a dedicated thermal architecture designed to provide up to 140W of thermal headroom, ensuring the hardware can sustain long-duration rendering and AI training tasks without performance throttling.

    Connectivity and Storage Options

    To meet the requirements of professional studios and edge AI deployment, the unit includes high-bandwidth connectivity and storage options:

    • High-speed networking for rapid data transfer
    • Expandable storage for large datasets
    • Multiple display outputs for complex workflows

    The ProArt Mini PC is positioned as a foundational device for the broader Asus creative ecosystem. It is fully compatible with the suite of AI-optimized software Asus is rolling out for the ProArt series, including the ProArt Creator Hub for resource management and specialized tools like MuseTree and StoryCube for generative workflows.

    Availibility and Pricing

    The system is designed for professional developers and content creators who need to deploy AI agent-ready infrastructure in small-footprint environments. Asus has confirmed that the ProArt Mini PC will be available starting in the fall of 2026, with further configuration and pricing details to be released closer to the launch date.


    Sources

    Tags: , , , ,