Maybe it is my age but I bought 2 touch bar models (for my kids) - I prefer the screens at 100% while they like them around 70%. My oldest daughter (16) has a 2015 rMBP and uses her brightness at 50% most of the time. I have a 2013 Air and keep it always at 100%. In fact I am the only person in my house that uses our machines (including IPads) on full brightness (including our 2015 27" 5K IMac )...OK I am old and sight is the first thing to go...
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Apple Warns You When Your Display is Using Significant Energy in Latest macOS Beta
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Using cpu / gpu intensive programs has always resulted in low battery life. I think what Apple has recognized, is that the laptop market is one where the majority of people are using them as a desktop computer replacement, where they stay plugged in much of the time they're being used. I'm not saying that there are not people out there who need to use their rMBP away from corded power in order to do heavy graphics work, but those people are the exception, not the rule.
And as much as people keep saying that they would prefer a thicker laptop so that there is more battery life, I believe that what we really want is a very thin and light computer that also provides long battery life. For work travels, I don't want a heavier, thicker, laptop and I would bet I am not alone in preferring one that weighs as little as possible but provides a day's worth of battery life. That's what Apple provides and they will undoubtedly continue to make them thinner and lighter and more powerful with longer battery life. But technology needs to move forward before we can have everything we want.
Why?
Because when you are traveling weekly like i do, sit cramped in a seat and haul bags around light is very good. Now combine light weight, great screen and a powerful CPU that is a winning combination.
Good work Apple!
I rarely use anything above 50% on my 5 year old MacBook Pro. It's gotten dimmer over the years, but more than 50% and I feel like I'm getting a sunburn just by looking at it. Set it at around 40% and then auto, that usually does the trick. I don't like to be blinded!
The only true fix is the MBP getting the battery it originally was supposed to get. Like I said in a another recent comment, this MBP is incomplete.
The screens on this year's MBP are rated at 500nits whereas the ones on the old model were 300nits.
Therefore logically, if you thought the old screens were bright enough at 100% then the new screens should be brighter when set at 50% although I think about 75% looks perfect most of the time.
The 130% isn't a bad idea actually, but 160% is nearer the mark.
[doublepost=1484756348][/doublepost]Correction: 100% on the old screen is 60% on the new, my maths is wonky. Still a significant difference.
Therefore logically, if you thought the old screens were bright enough at 100% then the new screens should be brighter when set at 50% although I think about 75% looks perfect most of the time.
The 130% isn't a bad idea actually, but 160% is nearer the mark.
[doublepost=1484756348][/doublepost]Correction: 100% on the old screen is 60% on the new, my maths is wonky. Still a significant difference.
Uhh. I wasn't even commenting on battery life. I was commenting on a feature that warns you about your screen using battery life—a feature that works on all MacBooks that support this version of the OS, not just the current generation.
I get complaints about the battery life since I actually own the machine and have complained.
Of course, you're so wound up I got the above response with suppressed vulgarity and personal attack related to a statement I wasn't even making. So, good on you? I guess?
I think I've seen 17-19 hours on battery on my 15" model several times now, running Safari and bunch of light use applications, while display brightness has been down, which is quite sufficient on winter conditions in northern Europe. (Usually I charge the laptop long before this kind of battery lifetime becomes apparent, though.) This is dramatically better than my 2012 rMBP model which had real trouble pushing beyond 10 hours under any condition.
When system is mostly idle, bright display is really the dominant factor on power draw. On minimum brightness an idle 15" laptop can run with about 3 watts. At maximum brightness, display may consume almost three times this amount. Factors which affect power draw on new MBPs have become more apparent; base load is about 3W, CPU is basically anything from zero to 45W, and display goes from almost zero to about 9W. People may consider this not to be on line with their Feng Shui preferences, but at least I do appreciate the fact I can do something useful on my laptop practically the whole trip from London to Sydney if I choose to prioritize that. I also appreciate the fact I can comfortably travel with only carry-on luggage without breaking weight limits with my laptop.
