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M1 Pro vs M1 Max battery
- Thread starter Someirishguy
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Good question. I think, as long as the work isn’t GPU intensive, you would see a similar (~10%) reduction in battery as with light usage. I don’t think anybody’s properly tested 24 vs 32 under any scenario, but I image it would have slightly better battery (an extra few percent).
Is it that you need 64 Gb RAM, but don’t need the GPU? If that’s the case I image your priority would be RAM over battery, and it’s not much extra for the 32 cores. Max out the beast!!
Doesn’t this post illustrate the limitations of this scrutiny. If the machine is telling you you’ve used just 1% of battery life after an hour and a half of X or an hour of Y, then it’s not really giving you useful or reliable information as the logical outcome of that is that your battery can last for a hundred hours!!!
Agreed. We know that Apple doesn't drop from 100% reported battery life until it's actually somewhat lower (I think I read 95% as reported by Coconut battery).
For this reason, I tend to disregard battery life estimates based on the fully charged machines. It would be more meaningful to see how things progress from a starting point in the range of 50-90%. i.e. I think a "percentage drop per hour" in the middle of the range (10-90%) is a more useful metric.
It is really strange (and usual Apple user unfriendly attitude) that the laptop batteries can't be easily changed and replaced. If you are using the battery, in a short time the battery life decreases and you have no possibility just to change it for a new battery as anywhere else. Really weird.
I tend to agree, but to be fair, internal batteries have advantages in battery size and weight efficiency, and Apple's internal battery design in this generation (while not on par with the most repairable laptops today) is still a notable improvement over the last generation according to the iFixit teardown. Few laptops these days have externally removable batteries and many manufacturers (including Apple previously) choose even more restrictive options.
So it means if you use the battery, in some not very long time its life will be close to zero and you can't do anything to change it. And you laptop will be of very low value and possibilities of use.
How did you get that from what I wrote? I said that internal batteries have some advantages, and Apple's design in this generation is more repairable than before. Obviously, it's still much worse than an externally removable battery, but few manufacturers offer that anymore.
It's actually better than that if you want to avoid Apple service costs. The batteries can be DIY replaced if you're somewhat skilled, without the need for specialized tools, adhesives, alcohol, etc. which apparently wasn't the case with the last generation.
2021 MacBook Pro Teardown: A Glimpse at a Better Timeline
We’re done with the new-but-also-classic 2021 MacBook Pro teardown, both 14 and 16-inch versions, and they’re full of happy surprises. Dig in with us.
www.ifixit.com
If you do want Apple to take care of it, they charge $199 in the US, which is high but isn't terribly unreasonable for a (hopefully) one-time repair given the parts and labor.
Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support
Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.
Just wanted to let ya'll know my 24 core GPU 16'' Max w/ 32GB RAM took about an hour to come down to 99%. Given, it's my first time using it, but still seems promising nevertheless. I'm thinking the 32GB to 64GB jump in RAM is a huge hit to battery life because we know from Ampere GPUs that fast memory sucks an insane amount of power. The M1 Max has some of the fastest memory if its kind so 32GB is probably the sweet spot for battery/perf.
I was able to easily get an entire day of work (morning till night) on a full battery with the 16" MAX 32gb. I always charge at night so for me the battery is something I barely think about now (I used to have to charge my old 2.9ghz i7 at some point during the day.)
Well, do it like for the next 2-3 months and your battery will need lunch before lunch and soon breakfast
I did a side by side Netflix and Amazon Stream and posted the results in another thread about this same topic. That thread linked here. That was with the two stock configuration. One M1 Pro with 16gb and one M1 Max with 332GB
forums.macrumors.com
It was post #129.
The conclusion was the battery life was nearly identical on that light usage, everyday test. With the screen at a normal level, I'm sure it would have gone 10+ hours. Very sorry but I can't spend 10+ hours replicating the same activity on 2 machines so I thought the continuous stream would be a good way to compare with identical loads.
Regarding the 100%. In general, both machines did not move off 100% for the first 30 minutes. On another day, I got nearly an hour before it moved off 100%. To confirm what everyone knows, that does not translate to a linear decline from there. You do not get 30 minutes of use per 1% of battery. The back half definitely drains faster.
The breakdown of my 7.5 hour test were 4.25 hours for the first 50% of battery meter. So 100% down to 50% lasted 4.5 hours. 50% to 5% only got 3 hours. Bit like toilet paper with the back half of the roll disappearing faster.
As another test I didn't include in the other post.
I started with both machines at 53% battery and streamed ESPN using Safari. After 2.75 hours, The Max had 13% battery left while the Pro only had 10%.
Charged them both up to 100%. After 2 hours, the Max had 87% left while the Pro had 84%.
Couple of callouts there.
1. I'd call that close enough but if anything, the Max was slightly better. This is only one usage scenario (albeit one that will be replicated frequently by many of us - binge watching Netflix!). I don't know if Netflix streaming is GPU intensive enough and that's why the the Max did better in this test. Just so everyone knows my bias, I'll be using the Pro going forward so I certainly would prefer the Pro were the resounding battery winner.
2. From 53% down to 13% is roughly 40%. Machines lasted 2.75 hours. From 100% to 87%/84%, lets just round it to 15%. So 15% of battery drain lasted 2 hours. If you double that to 30%, you'd get 4 hours. Just further confirmation that starting from 100% is deceptive.
Someone asked about the Intel i9. I noted this in the other post but will repeat here. In my stream test that these M1 machines lasted 7.5 hours, the 2019 Intel only lasted 2.75 hours.
Regardless of which machine you pick, the Max or the Pro, they both have extraordinary battery life for everyday use.
Battery life on M1X PRO vs M1X MAX?
Notice in the first part of the first test he says only the Max is playing it smoothly. The Max is doing more processing, so it's not a good test of battery life while doing the same work. And that's where most of the difference in battery life went in the first test. The second test made more...
forums.macrumors.com
It was post #129.
The conclusion was the battery life was nearly identical on that light usage, everyday test. With the screen at a normal level, I'm sure it would have gone 10+ hours. Very sorry but I can't spend 10+ hours replicating the same activity on 2 machines so I thought the continuous stream would be a good way to compare with identical loads.
Regarding the 100%. In general, both machines did not move off 100% for the first 30 minutes. On another day, I got nearly an hour before it moved off 100%. To confirm what everyone knows, that does not translate to a linear decline from there. You do not get 30 minutes of use per 1% of battery. The back half definitely drains faster.
The breakdown of my 7.5 hour test were 4.25 hours for the first 50% of battery meter. So 100% down to 50% lasted 4.5 hours. 50% to 5% only got 3 hours. Bit like toilet paper with the back half of the roll disappearing faster.
As another test I didn't include in the other post.
I started with both machines at 53% battery and streamed ESPN using Safari. After 2.75 hours, The Max had 13% battery left while the Pro only had 10%.
Charged them both up to 100%. After 2 hours, the Max had 87% left while the Pro had 84%.
Couple of callouts there.
1. I'd call that close enough but if anything, the Max was slightly better. This is only one usage scenario (albeit one that will be replicated frequently by many of us - binge watching Netflix!). I don't know if Netflix streaming is GPU intensive enough and that's why the the Max did better in this test. Just so everyone knows my bias, I'll be using the Pro going forward so I certainly would prefer the Pro were the resounding battery winner.
2. From 53% down to 13% is roughly 40%. Machines lasted 2.75 hours. From 100% to 87%/84%, lets just round it to 15%. So 15% of battery drain lasted 2 hours. If you double that to 30%, you'd get 4 hours. Just further confirmation that starting from 100% is deceptive.
Someone asked about the Intel i9. I noted this in the other post but will repeat here. In my stream test that these M1 machines lasted 7.5 hours, the 2019 Intel only lasted 2.75 hours.
Regardless of which machine you pick, the Max or the Pro, they both have extraordinary battery life for everyday use.
I did a side by side Netflix and Amazon Stream and posted the results in another thread about this same topic. That thread linked here. That was with the two stock configuration. One M1 Pro with 16gb and one M1 Max with 332GB
Battery life on M1X PRO vs M1X MAX?
Notice in the first part of the first test he says only the Max is playing it smoothly. The Max is doing more processing, so it's not a good test of battery life while doing the same work. And that's where most of the difference in battery life went in the first test. The second test made more...
It was post #129.
The conclusion was the battery life was nearly identical on that light usage, everyday test. With the screen at a normal level, I'm sure it would have gone 10+ hours. Very sorry but I can't spend 10+ hours replicating the same activity on 2 machines so I thought the continuous stream would be a good way to compare with identical loads.
Regarding the 100%. In general, both machines did not move off 100% for the first 30 minutes. On another day, I got nearly an hour before it moved off 100%. To confirm what everyone knows, that does not translate to a linear decline from there. You do not get 30 minutes of use per 1% of battery. The back half definitely drains faster.
The breakdown of my 7.5 hour test were 4.25 hours for the first 50% of battery meter. So 100% down to 50% lasted 4.5 hours. 50% to 5% only got 3 hours. Bit like toilet paper with the back half of the roll disappearing faster.
As another test I didn't include in the other post.
I started with both machines at 53% battery and streamed ESPN using Safari. After 2.75 hours, The Max had 13% battery left while the Pro only had 10%.
Charged them both up to 100%. After 2 hours, the Max had 87% left while the Pro had 84%.
Couple of callouts there.
1. I'd call that close enough but if anything, the Max was slightly better. This is only one usage scenario (albeit one that will be replicated frequently by many of us - binge watching Netflix!). I don't know if Netflix streaming is GPU intensive enough and that's why the the Max did better in this test. Just so everyone knows my bias, I'll be using the Pro going forward so I certainly would prefer the Pro were the resounding battery winner.
2. From 53% down to 13% is roughly 40%. Machines lasted 2.75 hours. From 100% to 87%/84%, lets just round it to 15%. So 15% of battery drain lasted 2 hours. If you double that to 30%, you'd get 4 hours. Just further confirmation that starting from 100% is deceptive.
Someone asked about the Intel i9. I noted this in the other post but will repeat here. In my stream test that these M1 machines lasted 7.5 hours, the 2019 Intel only lasted 2.75 hours.
Regardless of which machine you pick, the Max or the Pro, they both have extraordinary battery life for everyday use.
Did you compare how hot they get including bottom during these tests?
Only info so far on temp for high gpu processes not CPU intensive or light load. ( and max was +12F during high gpu.)
Honestly don’t understand the off power high gpu load tests, because a) even the pro max duration is crazy compared to previous b) are you really going to do a ton of graphics work away from power?
I still had 53% battery by the end of the day so maybe like 2-3 yearsWell, do it like for the next 2-3 months and your battery will need lunch before lunch and soon breakfast
I agree completely on the heavy graphics away from a power outlet. I don't want to question anyone's workflow but I would think most people would be at a desk (even if offsite). I mean heck, my primary need before for extended power was international flights. But most seats have power now.
I did not do any measurements of temp but did pick check the bottom occasionally. I would describe both as slightly warm. But as noted in my other post, nothing close to the fan coming on. Which is very different than my 2019 Intel b/c that fan would regularly kick on for little to no reason and then I'd just watch the battery percentage drop. Definitely not an issue on these machines.
Overall very pleased with the battery. Been on the M1 Pro most of this morning for 2 hours doing various things and am currently at 85% left.
Thanks for that. Sounds like one was not noticeably warmer than the other during the tests.
Well, I have Macbook Air M1 for 9 months. I use it on the move and battery often. Now - battery condition marked as "poor" and battery life maybe 40% of the first days ...I still had 53% battery by the end of the day so maybe like 2-3 years
I have the M1 Pro 10-16core 1TB and the battery life is terrible, only getting 1hr or less playing Transport Fever 2.
I
i think with games, it really depends which games/title one plays. Battery is going to vary a lot.
If I remember correctly apple will replace a battery with less than 80% capacity if it has less than 1000 charge cycles and/ or is less than 3 years old. Of course I just think you are a troll but that’s ok this info may be useful for someone.