Comparing the battery life of the MacBook Pro M4 and the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9 involves looking at their respective performance and power efficiency.
MacBook Pro M4
The MacBook Pro models featuring Apple's M4 chips, particularly the M4 Pro, have shown impressive battery life. For instance, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip can last up to 20 hours and 46 minutes in some tests, making it one of the longest-lasting consumer laptops available[1]. Apple officially claims that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro can offer up to 22 hours of video streaming and up to 14 hours of wireless web browsing**[7]. However, real-world usage may vary, with some users reporting around 7 to 9 hours for general tasks like web browsing and light work in Photoshop[4].
16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9
The older 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Intel processors, such as the Core i9, generally have shorter battery life compared to the M4 models. For example, the 2019 MacBook Pro 16-inch was reported to have a real-world battery life of around 3 hours under heavy usage, though Apple claimed up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing**[8]. In general, Intel-based MacBook Pros tend to consume more power than their Apple Silicon counterparts, especially under demanding tasks like video editing or coding[2].
Comparison
- Power Efficiency: Apple Silicon (M4) offers significantly better power efficiency compared to Intel processors, leading to longer battery life.
- Performance: Both models are capable of handling demanding tasks, but the M4 Pro provides better battery life while maintaining high performance.
- Usage Patterns: The battery life of both models can vary significantly based on usage patterns. The M4 Pro models are designed to handle heavy professional tasks while maintaining longer battery life, whereas Intel-based models might require more frequent charging under similar conditions.
In summary, the MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip generally offers longer battery life compared to the older Intel Core i9 models, thanks to Apple's focus on power efficiency with its Silicon chips.
Citations:[1] https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/laptops/i-just-tested-the-macbook-pro-m4-pro-battery-and-its-the-longest-lasting-laptop-ever
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym9oVxMNomI
[3] https://mashable.com/review/m4-pro-macbook-pro-16-inch
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1h6yh5m/thoughtsconcerns_on_the_macbook_pro_14in_m4_pro/
[5] https://www.techradar.com/reviews/macbook-pro/2
[6] https://alexreviewstech.com/apple-macbook-pro-m4-review-when-is-the-right-time-to-upgrade/
[7] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121553
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/i2rfex/the_real_battery_life_on_2019_macbook_pro_16_is/
[9] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/new-macbook-pro-features-m4-family-of-chips-and-apple-intelligence/
[10] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255934511