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Comment by partiallypro | Hacker News Reader

I think battery power is important, but realistically in terms of a laptop (not a phone) how often are you not near a power source? I don't really think it is a top priority once you reach a certain point of battery longevity. ARM is always going to have a battery advantage over x86/x64, it would make more sense to compare the M2 to a PC using ARM anyhow.

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Even though it seems like a minor thing, it is pretty liberating to just close up your laptop and carry it around without also carrying a power brick. Even if you're the type who always has a bag and does not mind carrying extra cords, it still is liberating to not have to hunt around for a power outlet. Just set up in the most convenient/comfy place and get to work.

I can work for 4-6 hours on battery anywhere, after that I have to charge. That's with a Surface Pro i7. My point is that how often are you going without recharging your battery to begin with and how often are you not within reach of a plug? At some point it is no longer a top priority for most consumers. Also comparing x86 chips to ARM chips is nonsensical when it comes to battery, given the ARM will ALWAYS win. It's not even a discussion. Why that is downvoted is insane. The performance is less about "Apple silicon" and more about ARM having a massive advantage on power consumption. Compare it to a PC with an ARM chip, it will still beat it across the board but at least it will have been a fair comparison.

> it is pretty liberating to just close up your laptop and carry it around without also carrying a power brick

With USB-C (thanks EU!) that's not a problem anymore, you can bet someone else already brought it or the coworking/bar/friends house/whateverplace has a spare one.

If you're working in a place without power, in remote areas, older buses/trains, construction sites, etc., 2-3x battery life is a godsend.

> in remote areas, older buses/trains, construction sites

in the original question the poster wrote "realistically"

How many laptops are used for 8 hours straight without half an hour of electricity in those situations?

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