Apple's M1 Chip Brings Massive Battery Life Improvements for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

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Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch MacBook Air models are equipped with the M1, which is the first Apple Silicon chip. In addition to bringing impressive performance improvements, the ‌M1‌ chip also significantly increases battery life.

apple macbook pro m1 battery life
The battery in the ‌MacBook Air‌ (49.9WHr) lasts for up to 15 hours with wireless web browsing and up to 18 hours when watching movies using the Apple TV app. The prior-generation model lasted for up to 11 hours when browsing the web, or up to 12 hours when watching movies.

Battery life is even better in the new MacBook Pro, which has a 58.2 WHr battery. The battery lasts for up to 17 hours when browsing the web and up to 20 hours when watching a movie using the ‌Apple TV‌ app. The prior-generation MacBook Pro lasted for up to 10 hours when browsing the web and up to 10 hours when watching movies.

Long battery life is enabled through the four high-efficiency cores that are included in the ‌M1‌. Apple says that alone, the four cores offer similar performance as the dual-core ‌MacBook Air‌ but at much lower power, providing an efficient way to run simple tasks like checking email or browsing the web.

When needed, the new machines also engage the four high-performance cores of the ‌M1‌ chip for more demanding tasks and better CPU performance. Apple promises that the ‌M1‌ chip brings up to 3.5x faster CPU performance, 6x faster GPU performance, and up to 15x faster machine learning.

Related Roundups: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13"
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Neutral), 13" MacBook Pro (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

WestonHarvey1 Avatar
WestonHarvey1
9 months ago
Someone tell me why this is bad.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
Return Zero
9 months ago
Several multiples faster and almost twice the battery life at the same price, yet it seems like all I see are complaints about longevity and upgradability... some people will literally never be happy, and it's 100% by their own choice.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
citysnaps
9 months ago

Looks like very limited RAM options with the unified memory if I read it correctly as part of the SOC.

Excellent for compute workloads but lacking the choice, particularly at the moment, to expand it ourselves.

It will be really interesting to see how they approach the more user upgradeable market i.e. the 27" iMac (probably will go) and the Mac Pro.
How do you expand RAM yourself in current MBAs and MBPs?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
Return Zero
9 months ago

So, the only things that make the Pro a Pro are the touchbar and more weight? I can't imagine someone saying, yeah I really want a touchbar and I'm willing to pay $300 for it... and I really prefer a heavier laptop.:rolleyes:
No. Why do people keep saying this? The M1 may be the same chip but it will be able to operate much faster for longer periods of time with the fan in the Pro. Also, the screen, battery, speakers, mic, and charger are much better on the Pro as well. It takes all of 15 seconds to figure this our for yourself.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applicious84 Avatar
applicious84
9 months ago

Someone tell me why this is bad.
Never! It's glorious. The best! The fastest! The most efficient! The super duperest...most amazingest mac ever made. It's even better than macs made last year! And it's better than everything else in the world, including 98% of pcs!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mdracer Avatar
Mdracer
9 months ago
These specs that you are all complaining about are all the lower end MacBook Pros, keep that in mind, before you lose your mind.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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