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    Specific Mac Question

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Dustin_D, Jan 10, 2008.

  1. Dustin_D

    Dustin_D Notebook Evangelist

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    Hello,

    I am edging closer and closer to going to college, and plan to purchase a Mac for my studies over a PC. I am not sure yet, but I really enjoy Macs.

    Now, my question is whether the Macbook or Macbook Pro has longer battery life for taking notes in a lecture, because I will have a few classes a day and don't have time to charge it between classes.

    Thanks in advance,

    Dustin.
     
    Dustin_D, Jan 10, 2008
    #1
  2. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Apple rates them both at about 6 hours, although that is a rather high estimate. The MBP has dedicated graphics, but also an LED-backlit screen, so it "balances" out a bit (but heavy use of graphics will take up more battery life).

    I'd say both are about the same. Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, turn down brightness and you can get probably 3-4, maybe even 5 hours out of the MacBook or MacBook Pro.
     
    Sam, Jan 10, 2008
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  3. taelrak

    taelrak Lost

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    I use my MBP for 5 hours without much problem, but then I almost always have Bluetooth, Wireless, etc. off, with the screen dim and set to sleep to inactivity, etc. Usually only have CP Notebook, NeoOffice, and Preview open anyway, so I don't do anything that would drain the battery much either. Also a lot of the time, I end up not typing but just listening and whatnot, so the screen gets to turn off for a few minutes.

    Turning on Airport and Bluetooth and turning the screen up to max will, of course, drastically lessen that time.
     
    taelrak, Jan 10, 2008
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  4. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    I can get a tad over 4 hours of use when I was taking notes in classes. That was with brightness at 1 notch and minimum wifi usage and no heavy apps running.
    Newer MBP have better battery life than mine. Older MB users could fairly easily get 5-6 hours. Friend of mine was able to push that towards 7 I think.
     
    hollownail, Jan 10, 2008
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  5. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    I average 3 and a half hours or so when using my MBP. I'm a power user, often loading up Fusion, Safari, Adium, and several iLife apps so the battery drain is kind of high. This is with Wifi on but bluetooth off and screen brightness at the 2nd or 3rd notch.

    When I'm just browsing the Internet I get 4 and a half hours.
     
    dbam987, Jan 10, 2008
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  6. AuroraS

    AuroraS Notebook Virtuoso

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    My MB gets about 4-5 hours depending on use... I usually just sit in class and take notes with the screen at brightness notch 2 or 3. BT turned off, but wireless on. I'd expect most MBPs to get about the same, or perhaps slightly less.
     
    AuroraS, Jan 10, 2008
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  7. Arquis

    Arquis Kojima Worshiper

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    Taking notes in class I am able to easily get 5 hours, even when online. I think both the MB and MBP have near-identicle life.
     
    Arquis, Jan 11, 2008
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  8. trueintentions

    trueintentions Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm at about 5-6 hours, medium brightness, when I'm browsing on Safari and listening to music through earbuds. (I have a Macbook)
     
    trueintentions, Jan 11, 2008
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  9. mc511

    mc511 Notebook Evangelist

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    Damn i cant believe this long for a macbook. 4-5 hours. Thats good. My alienware gets like 1 hour and fifteen minutes on a good day.
     
    mc511, Jan 12, 2008
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