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Jul 08, 2020 Apple devices are known for a lot of things: The “it just works” ethos, aesthetic beauty, closed software ecosystems, and, of course, premium price tags. However, one area in which they tend to perform only reasonably well in is battery life. Laptops that can count extensive battery life among their feature lists include the Microsoft.
11 hours ago When Apple launched the MacBook Pro 16, it promised the biggest battery in any MacBook — a 100-watt-hour monster, in fact. Apple says this gives you an extra hour of battery life compared to the. The increased battery life is the result of two under-the-hood changes to the MacBook Air. First off, there is more battery capacity. IFixit’s teardown shows the new models using slightly higher.
Apple devices are known for a lot of things: The “it just works” ethos, aesthetic beauty, closed software ecosystems, and, of course, premium price tags. However, one area in which they tend to perform only reasonably well in is battery life.
Laptops that can count extensive battery life among their feature lists include the Microsoft Surface Book 2 and the HP Spectre Folio. But just because those laptops are better at lasting longer on a single charge doesn’t mean MacBooks are terrible.
In fact, if you know which MacBook to opt for and configure it appropriately, you can eke out plenty of battery life for a full day of work or play on a number of Apple’s notebooks.
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MacBook Air
Apple’s MacBook Air has always been designed as a sleek, lightweight MacBook option that prioritizes portability and aesthetics over other aspects, like performance. However, in the current MacBook lineup, it’s proved to be the longest-lasting by both the specifications and our own testing.
When Apple refreshed the MacBook Air in March 2020, it updated the processor to 10th-generation Intel Core CPUs. Those chips made the MacBook Air not only more powerful but more conservative with its power usage. The Air comes with a 49.9-watt-hour battery, but how does that stack up in testing?
Apple claims that you can get 12 hours of Apple TV movie playback. In our MacBook Air review, we found that the modern MacBook Air was capable of playing 1080p video on a loop for 10 hours — around eight hours of web browsing.
You may be able to extend this further by keeping screen brightness low and background applications to a minimum. Configuration options are limited, but sticking to smaller storage capacities and memory will provide a minute benefit for extending battery life.
Apple also recommends keeping your device up to date and to avoid extreme ambient temperatures when using your MacBook Air.
MacBook Pro 16-inch
Apple’s MacBook Pro range is where the real heft and power can be found with all sorts of hardware options for those who need more grunt for their MacOS tasks. As far as MacBooks go, the battery life isn’t bad either, but you’ll want to choose specific models and consider your configuration to get the most out of it.
When Apple launched the MacBook Pro 16, it promised the biggest battery in any MacBook — a 100-watt-hour monster, in fact. Apple says this gives you an extra hour of battery life compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, providing 11 hours of web browsing or Apple TV video playback.
While that may pique your interest, the reality is it’s not quite as simple as saying a larger battery equals longer battery life. The MacBook Pro 16 contains much more powerful components than its smaller 13-inch sibling, which contributes to eating up the battery life.
In our testing, the MacBook Pro 16 lasted around five and a half hours in our regular daily workload, which included running dozens of tabs, streaming music in Spotify, and using Slack. That’s disappointing considering Apple’s promised 11-hour battery life. But it’s also not too surprising given the MacBook Pro 16’s higher resolution and beefier components under the hood.
Still, your mileage may vary, especially if you spec the MacBook Pro 16 for battery life. Choosing the Core i7 processor over the Core i9, or opting for a slightly lower-end graphics card, could help save your battery life.
But if you need more powerful components, seeing your battery life take a hit is a compromise you’ll have to consider.
MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019)
With the 13-inch MacBook Pro, we found it managed over 10 hours in our video loop test when equipped with a Core i5 processor. In general usage, it could last a full workday. That matches up with the 10 hours Apple says it should achieve, so it’s still a decent option to consider if you want good battery life.
Interestingly, the MacBook Pro 13 has either a 58-watt-hour or 58.2-watt-hour battery, depending on the configuration. By comparison, the MacBook Pro 16 has a larger 100-watt-hour battery.
Despite having a smaller battery on paper, you may find the 13-inch model lasts longer than the MacBook Pro 16 due to its less-powerful components, which just goes to show that big battery specs aren’t everything.
The MacBook Pro 13 is also a lot cheaper than the 16-inch model. The smaller version starts at $1,299 while the 16-inch model begins at $2,399. As we said in our review of the MacBook Pro 16, its battery may be 16% larger, but it doesn’t last 16% longer. Even more, its price is far more than 16% higher.
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Best games for mac catalina 2016. BestMacBook for Battery LifeiMore2020
Battery efficiency has improved significantly over the years. Because of this, there's not a big difference between battery life expectations across the MacBook lineup. The most efficient, by a nose, is the MacBook Air (2020), which offers up to 11 hours of wireless web and 12 hours of Apple TV app movie playback between charges. There are other models worth considering, however, depending on your needs.
Source: Rene Ritchie / iMore
Introduced in March 2020, the latest 13-inch MacBook Air is available in space gray, gold, and silver, and begins at $999, making it the cheapest MacBook on the market. The least expensive option offers a 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz, 256GB Storage, Touch ID, Retina display with True Tone, Intel Iris Plus Graphics, and 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory. This year's MacBook Air is the first to include the Magic Keyboard, which was first introduced on the 16-inch MacBook Pro (see below).
With the MacBook Air (2020), Apple says you should expect 11 hours of wireless web and 12 hours of movie playback between battery charges. However, battery life varies by use and configuration, and cycle counts also play a role as the laptop ages.
If you want a 13-inch display, but are worried the MacBook Air doesn't offer enough processor speed or RAM, consider the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Otherwise, this is the MacBook we recommend for most folks.
Pros:
- Least expensive MacBook
- Magic Keyboard!
- Best battery life in 2020
Cons:
- Is 13-inch enough for your needs?
- Better internals are available on MPB
Best Overall
MacBook Air (2020)
Forget the charging cable longer
The best all-around option for most users, the MacBook Air is a great looking device that will provide you with years of fun and productivity.
Source: Rene Ritchie / iMore
Naturally, the 16-inch MacBook Pro model packs a punch, offering, at the minimum, a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz. The base 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, 512GB SSD storage, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports. The model comes standard with an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory graphics processor and can be upgraded to AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 (for an extra $100) or AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 ($200) for better performance.
On the apparent downside, this is an expensive laptop. Plus, you'll need to recharge this laptop more often than the MacBook Air. And like all MacBooks, it isn't usually on sale at a discount.
Note: Apple's promises up to 11 hours of wireless web and 11 hours of movie playback between charges.
Pros:
- Pay only $100 extra for a graphics boost
- Most prominent MacBook Pro display to date
- Better battery life than the 13-inch model
Best Alternative
16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
Largest display
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent choice when the size of the screen matters the most. Plus, look at that battery life!
Source: iMore
When it comes to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, $500 separates the base and most complete package. Add more memory, storage, and a better processor, and the price can jump even more. Despite this, the smaller of the two MacBook Pro models has a lot going for it.
At just over three pounds, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is only slightly heavier than the MacBook Air, which clocks in at 2.8 pounds. For this, you receive a better processor and graphics card and the Touch Bar.
However, there are other things to consider. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is likely to receive a refresh later this year. If you want an MBP rather than a MacBook Air and can wait a few months to make a purchase, you should do so.
Note that Apple promises up to 10 hours of wireless web and 10 hours of movie playback between charges.
Pros:
- Some better internals than MacBook Air
- Much cheaper than the 16-inch model
- Includes Touch Bar
Cons:
- A new model is likely soon
- Price can rise quickly as you add components
Another Option
Best Mac Battery Life
13-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
A step up
There's much to love about this model, but a refresh in 2020 is likely.
Three choices
There are currently three MacBooks on the market, the 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Of these, the MacBook Air (2020) offers the best battery life, up to 11 hours of wireless web and 12 hours of movie playback.
The MacBook Air (2020) offers lots of features at a great price. The least expensive option, for example, has a 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz, 256GB Storage, Touch ID, Retina display with True Tone, Intel Iris Plus Graphics, and 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory. You can add a better processor and graphics card, but it will cost you extra.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe
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