Hotesh

Q: Changing Specs of MBA Effects Battery Life??

Dear All,

I tried searching but couldn't find an answer.

 

When buying a macbook air you can:

1) Order better processor.

2) Increase RAM.

3) Increase Storage.

 

Now here's the questions because I'm thinking of doing all the above...

I need to know if Changing Specs of MBA Effects Battery Life??


Which would reduce and which would increase "if" and why? Even in theory.

 

Most of the time I am an average user connected to do my business, email, docs etc... But sometimes I'll need the power to do some video editing, adobe PS, and other graphics apps. I don't do gaming. I like the convenience of the MBA 13 and it would be really great fit for my requirements.

 

I would appreciate an authentic answer from someone who really knows what they are talking about but I will appreciate all comments that could be useful.

MacBook Air

Posted on Mar 10, 2015 9:20 AM

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Q: Changing Specs of MBA Effects Battery Life??

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  • Helpful answers

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Mar 10, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Hotesh
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 10, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Hotesh

    While adding higher output items to your hardware configuration can effect battery life. It is not that appreciable. What decreases battery life is high end apps that require more CPU memory and GPU output. Intensive programs such as Photoshop, streaming videos or running multiple  apps at the same time. The harder your Macbook Air runs the more battery drain.https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054

  • by Hotesh,

    Hotesh Hotesh Mar 11, 2015 12:52 AM in response to my ginger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 12:52 AM in response to my ginger

    Hi ginger,

     

    Ok let me put the question this way... I have two MacBooks one is standard specs the other I have added all 3 items processor, ram and hdd...

     

    Running both simultaneously with the exact same applications and exact same use... The question here will one out perform the other with battery life?

  • by my ginger,Helpful

    my ginger my ginger Mar 11, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Hotesh
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Hotesh

    If you add options to whatever notebook you buy. The one with the add on options will preform better. The battery life will remain the same. The difference is that depending on what you are running the one with more memory and processor speed will not have to work as hard. A macbook pro with a 2.9 I5 processor,8 GB memory and 512 GB drive, has a10 hour battery life and costs $1799.00. While a macbook air with all the options. a 2,2 I7 processor, 8Gb memory, 512 GB drive is $1749.00 And has a 9 to 12 hour battery life. So as you can see the difference between the two is very little. The mac air is lighter. They both have a13" screen. And similar battery life. The price is almost equal. The mac air spec's are as far as you can go, While the mac pro can be updated further. If you go to the apple home page under mac and click on one or the other you can find both the spec's and if you click on the buy it will give you the options you can add and the cost of each upgrade. Only you can decide what your needs are.

  • by Hotesh,

    Hotesh Hotesh Mar 12, 2015 3:31 AM in response to my ginger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2015 3:31 AM in response to my ginger

    Hi Ginger,

     

    Ok, I agree with everything you said and I found it helpful but the question remains and I'll give another example here now:

     

    Question:

    Running both simultaneously with the exact same applications and exact same use... The question here will one out perform the other with battery life?


    Example:

    Scenario #1 Both normal and upgraded are running movies all day long...

    Scenario #2 Both are running movie editing apps all day...


    more scenarios are there but I guess you got my point... so...

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Mar 12, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Hotesh
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 12, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Hotesh

    What I'm trying to say is that both would have very little difference in battery life. For average use, the one with the higher processor speed would run fastest. Battery life is affected more by what you are running then anything else. I have been told that the macbook air has better battery life, but they are so close as to not be an issue.