Apple new 13-inch MacBook Pro features the company next-generation M2 system-on-a-chip (SoC), and reviewers say it has better battery life than its predecessor and other in-class laptops. One advantage of Apple Silicon over processors from industry giants like AMD and Intel is power efficiency.
Apple can better optimise the experience and conserve power because it designs every aspect of the computer, from the processor and hardware to the software and pre-installed applications. The M1 processor provided impressive efficiency gains when compared to previous Intel MacBooks, but new tests show that the M2 outperforms even the MacBook Pro from last year.
The latest 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is hanging on despite the release of a redesigned 14-inch model, was announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June 2022. The annual event showcases upcoming software and services to be released by Apple, but Apple Silicon announcement at WWDC in 2020 made hardware a core part of the convention.
The major reveal at WWDC 2022 was the M2 MacBook Air, but those wanting a more familiar laptop got an upgrade to the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It's almost identical to the previous generation except for the M2 processor, but that could be a big deal. Reports of better battery life than the already impressive M1 MacBook Pro could make the latest 13-inch MacBook one of the best options in its category.
The release notes for Apple latest processor foreshadowed the battery life improvements to come on its consumer laptops, with data demonstrating greater efficiency than M1. Although the company graphs are notorious for being ambiguous and unlabeled, their claims have previously proven to be correct.
According to the company, the M2 processor is 18% faster than the M1, and the graphics component is 35% faster. All of this while consuming the same amount of power as its predecessor, which was a breakthrough in efficiency and battery life. Because the M2 is faster without using more power, common tasks will be less taxing on the system-on-a-chip, resulting in longer battery life overall.
M2 is the MacBook Pro Battery Champion: Testing show
Now that the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro is headed to reviewers, the speculation about the laptop battery life is getting confirmed. Tom's Guide, a tech review site that has a standardized battery test to benchmark all laptops, calls the M2 MacBook Pro "the longest-lasting laptop ever." Testing includes continuous browsing on the web with screen brightness set to 150 nits, and the new 13-inch MacBook Pro lasted for over 18 hours on a single charge. This isn't the first test that showed a MacBook Pro insane battery life — a reviewer for The Verge recently detailed the painstaking journey of trying to deplete the battery life of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro.
Because the Tom Guide is the same for all laptops, it's simple to compare the new 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro to other consumer laptops. The previous generation MacBook Pro with the M1 processor had a battery life of 16 hours and 32 minutes, while the latest M2 MacBook Pro had a battery life of 18 hours and 20 minutes. That's over an hour more runtime year over year, demonstrating the benefits of Apple silicon.
Most laptops in its class have 14 to 16.5 hours of battery life on a single charge, which the 13-inch MacBook Pro easily outperforms in early testing. The upgrade from the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro is probably not worth it, but buyers who do upgrade will be pleased with the runtime of the latest 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro.