Battery Life of 15" MBP vs. MB

Okay, I'm currently in the decision making process of whether I'm going to purchase a Macbook, or a 15" Macbook Pro. I initially was set on getting the Macbook because battery life and portability is really important to me.

However, I was shocked to find out yesterday that the 15" Macbook Pro weighs about the same as the 13" Macbook. Then, to further add to my confusion, I read the comparison chart on the apple site and find that Apple has the Macbook Pro's battery life listed as "Up to 5 hrs", while the Macbook's is listed at "Up to 4.5 hrs". How in the world is that? With the Macbook pro having the bigger screen and dedicated graphics card, how is it able to achieve a greater battery life than the Macbook?

Usually, when you look at 13" notebooks compared to 15" Power notebooks, two main advantages that the 13" notebook has over the 15" is battery life and weight. This doesn't seem to be so in the case of the MBP and MB. Originally, I was set on the Macbook, but now I'm thinking I might as well get the Macbook Pro and all the power advantages it has since is weighs about the same and has a better battery life.

What's everyone's opinion on this? Does the Macbook Pro really have a longer battery life? If so, how? Is weight difference between the two really only 0.4 pounds? Are there any advantages to the Macbook over the Macbook Pro?

Thanks

 

I suppose that if you turned off the MBPs screen and did nothing on it, you might be able to keep it on for 5 hours or maybe more. Remember that the MBP is a much better built machine than the Macbook, which is why its weight is very similar and has a very good battery life for a 15/17" laptop.

In reality, the MBP lasts approx 30 mins less than the MB under normal use in batty mode. However, the weight difference is small (although the MBP might feel a bit heavier as it has a wider area - The 15" MBP has about the same lid surface area as a 14" laptop), and the MBP is better built and has a very good battery life. The main advantage of the Macbook is basically its pricing and its smaller form factor (although not my much). If you can afford a MBP, then you should buy it over the Macbook, since I doubt you will be disappointed by a MBP, unless you get a lemon.

 

I think they're about the same...as the MacBook Pro has an LED-backlit screen (saves power), but also has a graphics card. Probably not too much of a difference.

 

I would get the MB-Pro if:
- You use your computer a lot, like all day. The keyboard is much better and it's more built "to last."
- The screen is also bigger and at higher resolution - you can open more and see it all at once.
- You want to play games, especially FPS/3D games or on Windows.
- You travel with it very much.

The converse is true for the Macbook.

Here's why we chose the Macbook - it stays at home, but is used all over the house. It's used occasionally, not all day. When serious work needs to be done we plug an external 19" LCD screen into it. Add a bluetooth keyboard & mouse and you have a workstation.

My advice is if you're getting a plain Macbook get the cheapest one you can. If you're being tempted by the Black model, just get the Pro for ~$500 more. The main advantage of the Macbook is it's cheap and portable - you may as well make it as cheap as possible.

 

Thanks Sam. Thanks for the FAQ on Windows as well. I've learned that your opinion is really respected around here. Let me ask you, does the Macbook Pro heat up more than the Macbook? This is important to me as well because I like to use my laptop in my lap quite often.

Thanks

 

Hi Maukey, thanks for the compliment . I don't know if my opinion seems more "powerful" here, I hope not , I'm just another forum member!

I have no long term experience with the MBP, but given that it is an aluminum casing, and if I remember what others have noted before, yeah, the MBP's casing gets hotter than the MacBook, unfortunately.

 

thanks! That's one point for the Macbook.

 

Yes.. the aluminum chassis of the MBP will transfer heat more than the plastic casing of the MB. I have seen this for myself in person.
The MacBook is quite comfortable to use on the lap, actually...

 

With wireless on, the screen dimmed (about 1/4 brightness), and doing light tasks such as taking notes/following lecture nots, I get about 4:30 on my MBP (penryn)

As for comparing battery life with regards to screen size, the MBP uses LED's as a backlight for the screen which are much more efficient than the CCFL's used in the macbook (and most other laptops).

 

I just used my MBP today in class for about 4 hours straight. I was typing, doing a little bit of internet surfing, and listening to music on iTunes and my battery only got down to 39%

I was also using it on my lap and it got a little warm but not to bad. If I remember correctly the temperature never got above 50 degrees at the hottest location (according to iStat) and it was usually closer to about 45 or so.

 

So if the macbook pro average battery life is 4:30, how long is the macbook's battery life? Could it hit maybe 5 house under the same settings as the macbook pro?