Tuesday, May 18th 2010
Apple MacBook 13.3-inch Gets Hardware Update, Battery Lasts Longer
Apple gave the 13.3-inch variant of its MacBook line a specifications update, with faster processor and graphics, which also steps up battery life along the way. The MacBook now comes with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB memory (4 GB available as an option), NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics, 250 GB of storage, and 8x DVD writer. The display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Connectivity features include gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1, and WiFi. The 63.5 W/h lithium-polymer battery gives up to 10 hours of usage on a full charge. It retains the price-tag of US $999.
13 Comments on Apple MacBook 13.3-inch Gets Hardware Update, Battery Lasts Longer
I have a similar notebook, with similar hardware: P8600, low power samsung SSD, intel GMA4500, 4gb, bluetooth, led 1280x800 screen, intel 5300 wifi card. Should consume less than the Macbook, since it has a lower power video card and an SSD. The battery has 64Wh, just like the Mac. Since it uses at least 9W on idle (measured with Powertop), battery life is at best 7 hours, 5:30 if working with openoffice. Mind, with windows I get 4:30 hours, instead of 7 (with tweaked ArchLinux).
This macbook consumes 6.4W (64Wh/10h) in idle? Bullshit.
I just noticed Apple still uses 16:10 monitors. WTF?
And now it's time to talk about a real computer...
My previous point remains: i have a notebook with similar specs, but with lower power hardware (SSD vs HDD, for example) and an heavy tweaked ArchLinux: recompiled kernel, lowered cpu voltage, changed cpu scheduler, 80 wakeups per seconds and more.
Much better power management than anything else, since it is focused on my machine only. And in idle I use 9 Watts.
From max 4 hours with XP to 6-7 hours with Linux.
You really expect that thing to use only 6W in idle? Dream on!