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The big question: Battery 2012 Vs 2011 Vs 2010 MBAs

Jobsian

Jobsian

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 30, 2009
853
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Anandtech comprehensively benched the 2010 MBAs as having a longer lasting battery than the 2011 models, my main reason for not upgrading my 2010 models then, anyone have any info on the 2012 models' battery?

I hope Anandtech bench these soon, this will be a major factor in my decision to go for the 2012 model, even if it means getting the lower clocked processor to conserve even more power.

Also, any word on this configurable TDP?

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Just to add that I'm specifically looking at the 11" models, which seem to drain the thing in no time.

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Also, I'm very curious to know about the effect on battery not only if you go with the higher clocked CPU, but if you go for 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD vs smaller configurations. Any info appreciated.
 
I'm in the same boat and am looking forward to the same answer. Given the presumed Ivy Bridge power savings, I'm astounded the 11" still clocks in at the same nominal 5 hours as before.
 
Jobsian said:
Anandtech comprehensively benched the 2010 MBAs as having a longer lasting battery than the 2011 models, my main reason for not upgrading my 2010 models then, anyone have any info on the 2012 models' battery?

I hope Anandtech bench these soon, this will be a major factor in my decision to go for the 2012 model, even if it means getting the lower clocked processor to conserve even more power.

Also, any word on this configurable TDP?

----------

Just to add that I'm specifically looking at the 11" models, which seem to drain the thing in no time.

----------

Also, I'm very curious to know about the effect on battery not only if you go with the higher clocked CPU, but if you go for 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD vs smaller configurations. Any info appreciated.
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Keen for this as well, also regarding the MBP's, particularly 13". I thought they'd improve, and you figure Apple would be toting it if it were so, but they aren't. My call is small increase, a fraction of an hour.
 
Battery life went down significantly from the 2010 13" to 2011 and yet Apple still claimed the same hours. Just because they are still saying 5/7 doesn't mean it won't be better, or worse.
 
solmaker said:
I'm in the same boat and am looking forward to the same answer. Given the presumed Ivy Bridge power savings, I'm astounded the 11" still clocks in at the same nominal 5 hours as before.
Click to expand...
The benchmarks of other computers with Ivy Bridge CPU show that there isn't a huge difference in term of battery life. Some are slightly hotter and less efficient.

Just wait and see, maybe these ULV CPU in the MBA and other ultra-portables are a lot better, but if you look at reviews of the UX21 and UX31, I don't think so.
 
Just posted on another thread, but it is more relevant here.

"I contemplated buying the new 11.6" and passing my basic 2010 one over to my wife, but the upgrades are just not worth it for me.

Obviously it depends what your usage is, but as I am retired, mine spends the day on the Internet with virtually no other use, so weight and a good display are my criteria, though I would have liked the backlit keyboard from last years.

Biggest disappointment is the reduction in battery life, used to be over four hours especially with Coolbook, now after 18 months it is down to barely two. I know there is a gradual % drop off with age, Coconut shows 75% left, but mine is over 50%, so I will have a word with Apple Care as I have a two year warranty.

tut"
 
I had all three 11'' 2010, 11'' 2011 and 13'' 2011 over the last 2 years and a half. Well, in the same order, I had 5 hours, 4h30 and 6h30 battery life.

And the battery life was the main reason why I swapped my 2011 11'' for a 13''.
 
Hopefully Hellhammer can shed some light on this (works for Anandtech)
 
5-7hour it just says in tech specs.

Seems they don't know which might conform that we do not know about the chips that they have chosen.

the i7, i5 debate is an intresting one. (Intel confirms that i5 and i7 have same 14W stock power usage at either speed unless you speed step)

I think a few myths need busting.
 
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Jobsian said:
Hopefully Hellhammer can shed some light on this (works for Anandtech)
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Anand has been busy with the Retina Pro though. I do hope they have review units of the Airs so we can get the anticipated AnandTech reviews sooner rather than later.
 
Some encouraging news - 1st relevant bench I've seen is Engadget on the MBP:

2012 rMBP i7 2.6GHz: 7 hours 49 mins
2011 MBP i7 2.2GHz: 7 hours 27 mins
2010 MBP i7 2.66GHz: 5 hours 18 mins

link

Hopefully we'll see a similar translation across the MBAs.
 
Jobsian said:
Oh my god guys, from laptopmag's review:

"Battery Life
We were pleasantly surprised to find that, during the LAPTOP Battery Test (Web surfing via Wi-Fi), the Air lasted 8 hours and 10 minutes. That's almost 90 minutes longer than the ultraportable category average, and well above the last 13-inch Air (6:25)."


http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/apple-macbook-air-13-inch-2012.aspx
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fantastic! i buy a lot of laptops based on laptopmag reviews and they've always lived up to what their articles say about them.
 
entatlrg said:
Still waiting for 11" test results.
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Me too. I may go for the 13" this time around because I think the biggest fault of the 11" is the battery life. Good chance I will get the 11" again once longer lasting batteries hit the market.
 
Conflicting reports still only trickling in, perhaps people aren't noticing enough of a difference to comment.
 
I have yet to fully deplete my new Air battery, but I got 7:06 on my last full charge.
 
any update on the 11"? love my 2011 one, but battery life is not impressive at all. looking to see if i should consider upgrading. thanks
 
Battery life is consistently good—about the same as 2011 models, but much better than in the past
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This quote from Ars Techinca's review is a little bizarre I have to say considering the benchmarks (eg Anand's) which consistently showed better battery in the 2010 over 2011 models. From her write-up it seems to be a qualitative comparison to her own 2010 model's battery which presumably isn't anywhere near full health at this stage.
 
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