MBP 14 battery sucks. Why?

[Abstract]

What are the variables between the MBA, 13” MBP, and these new MBPs in terms of processor and screen?

CPU: 4 performance, 4-efficiency versus 6-performance vs 2-efficiency cores (for 8 core models). So same number of cores, which makes it easier to compare.

CPU: Most models have 10 cores (8 performance, 2 efficiency), so difference in both ratio and total number of cores.

DISPLAY: Higher resolution requires more power.
DISPLAY: LED backlight versus Mini-LED. More local dark/unlit spots may save power?
DISPLAY: ProMotion (120Hz). It does vary though, so should actually benefit ProMotion if playing back video.

RAM: More RAM requires more power, even when idle.

BATTERY: MBA has ~50Wh; 14” MBP has 70Wh; 16” MBP has 100Wh.

I’ve probably missed a few things. ??‍♂️


From this, what would be the fairest comparison in terms of CPU, display resolution, RAM, etc?

I’d like to see a 14” M1 Pro MBP base model (8-core, 16 GB of RAM) compared to a 13” M1 MBP with 16 GB of RAM. Same 8-cores, but different ratio/mix of cores. Run both in Clamshell mode connected to the same external monitor. That removes differences in power consumption due to the displays, exposing only power consumption due to CPU differences? ? There is the difference in GPU cores though, but wouldn’t make much difference during web browsing.


Then what? How about the same 2 laptops (above), with a 4K video playing, but brightness set to minimum? That may help us understand how much power ProMotion uses/saves compared to a laptop set to 60Hz all the time, since ProMotion would be on, but the backlight is mostly taken out of it.

 

[tomswift99]

From the 3 hours I've had this, and monitoring battery while regular use (browsing + web dev), I think this is a 7-8 hour device. Not as much as I was hoping, but not terrible. The screen and speakers are amazing though.

 

[petvas]

So I just got my 14" MBP and of course I will be testing it a lot in the next hours. My first impressions coming from the 13" M1 MBP are mostly positive. I like the new design. The display is gorgeous and I cannot wait to put it to use. Interesting enough the MacBook Pro came with Monterey 12.0 and it must be updated to 12.01. macOS 12.0 has still the old Safari tab design from the betas..
Also interesting the Display profiles that can be selected:

 

[Nikhil72]

From the 3 hours I've had this, and monitoring battery while regular use (browsing + web dev), I think this is a 7-8 hour device. Not as much as I was hoping, but not terrible. The screen and speakers are amazing though.

Chances are there’s also data downloading in the background and indexing for spotlight and photos which I find cuts battery 20% in the first week or so.

 

[Rashy]

Indeed, for proper tests we should wait 1-2 weeks. Until users are less enthusiastic and start using their devices like they usually do. Then we can add several battery tests, calculate the average and (hopefully) land in the two-digit area.

My old Retina got advertised with around 9hrs of battery time. Real-life tests confirmed around 7.5-8.5hrs so it was pretty close. If I get 10+hrs for browsing at around 200-300 nits (and more when watching movies) on the 14" I will be satisfied. The smaller M1 models may have more stamina, but leaving price and weight aside, they are simply inferior in every other aspect (performance, display, ports, speakers) and hence no alternative for me.

 

[Nikhil72]

Hell my M1 13” MBP took about a week to settle at an estimated 15-20h use time. The first week was well under 10h

 

[defferoo]

the 14 and 16 inch only go above 500 bits for HDR content, otherwise they’re limited to the same brightness as the 13 inch MBP in typical use.

it’s kind of baffling to me actually, I figured the higher resolution screen and backlighting would be mitigated by the larger battery, but the additional performance CPU cores must be using more power than I expected because the gulf in video playback versus web browsing is so much bigger than on the 13 inch.

the CPU shouldn’t really be a factor for the video playback test because it’s using fixed function hardware, but it comes more into play with web browsing.

 

[Xolp]

From the 3 hours I've had this, and monitoring battery while regular use (browsing + web dev), I think this is a 7-8 hour device. Not as much as I was hoping, but not terrible. The screen and speakers are amazing though.

please try without pro motion and turn on low power mode

 

[JamieLannister]

Gizmodo doesn't have a great track record in being fair to Apple. Don't trust their publication.

Gizmodo and their parent former company Gawker is a real turd of a media company if you can even call them a media company. Pure garbage.

 

[JamieLannister]

Don’t forget the new 14/16” MBPs support fast charging, quoted to go from 0 to 50% in a half hour.

The MBA/13” do not have fast charging.

Exactly. I don't care if it's 8 hours max use. It charges so quickly (with the 96w+ power adapters) makes this is a moot discussion.