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CPU architecture probably doesn't matter. But then I'm back to my original question: where are the Linux or Windows machines with great battery life and good p

CPU architecture probably doesn't matter. But then I'm back to my original question: where are the Linux or Windows machines with great battery life and good performance. Is there anything like what Apple sells at Walmart: a 13.3" MacBook Air with the M1 chip, retina display, and 8 GB of RAM for $700. This is a very old machine at this point and still very hard to beat.

bryanlarsen 3y ago
He does talk about why Apple is doing so well. Architecture, but Apple has IC process, top-level designers, a wide well balanced design and RAM bandwidth advantages.
- criddell 3y ago
  I'm saying all this as a frustrated ThinkPad buyer. It's been 3.5 years since the first M1 machines went on the market and I still can't buy a ThinkPad as good as the Apple computers of that generation. I have to remember to power off completely before putting my ThinkPad in my bag otherwise I will have a very hot laptop, fans at full, with 50% battery remaining by the time I get to work. Sometimes it feels like Apple is the only company even trying. It sucks.
  - bryanlarsen 3y ago
    Is it still true? My Ryzen desktop is a lot faster than my M1 Mini. A laptop Ryzen won't be as fast as my desktop, but it should be close? Regardless, it certainly feels like an own goal that AMD or Intel hasn't yet released a CPU with at least 256 bit wide on package RAM. They'd be able to capture a higher percentage of the BOM cost of the laptop if they did so on top of the speed benefits.
    - criddell 3y ago
      The M1 used in the original MacBook Air has a TDP of around 10 watts. I don't track this closely, but AFAIK there aren't any good performing chips on the PC side of the world that can beat that. I don't really track this directly, but periodically I look for passively cooled (fanless) laptops. I haven't looked into Ryzen, but it would be a very nice surprise if there are fanless Ryzen laptops out there.
      - Kuinox 3y ago
        TDP is a lie. M1 can draw up to 100W. https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performance-review/3 https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performanc...
        lonjil 3y ago
        Did you paste the wrong link? That is about M1 Max, which is a very different, much bigger, chip.
        Kuinox 3y ago
        Indeed the M1 not max draw 30W max, there is a link in the article I sent, my mistake.
        criddell 3y ago
        The real world implications of these number matter more than the numbers themselves. If you tell me TDP is a lie, I’ll believe you. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there still aren’t any great fanless laptops from anybody other than Apple. I was attributing it to TDP, but maybe it’s something else.

bryanlarsen 3y ago

He does talk about why Apple is doing so well. Architecture, but Apple has IC process, top-level designers, a wide well balanced design and RAM bandwidth advantages.

criddell 3y ago
I'm saying all this as a frustrated ThinkPad buyer. It's been 3.5 years since the first M1 machines went on the market and I still can't buy a ThinkPad as good as the Apple computers of that generation. I have to remember to power off completely before putting my ThinkPad in my bag otherwise I will have a very hot laptop, fans at full, with 50% battery remaining by the time I get to work. Sometimes it feels like Apple is the only company even trying. It sucks.
- bryanlarsen 3y ago
  Is it still true? My Ryzen desktop is a lot faster than my M1 Mini. A laptop Ryzen won't be as fast as my desktop, but it should be close? Regardless, it certainly feels like an own goal that AMD or Intel hasn't yet released a CPU with at least 256 bit wide on package RAM. They'd be able to capture a higher percentage of the BOM cost of the laptop if they did so on top of the speed benefits.
  - criddell 3y ago
    The M1 used in the original MacBook Air has a TDP of around 10 watts. I don't track this closely, but AFAIK there aren't any good performing chips on the PC side of the world that can beat that. I don't really track this directly, but periodically I look for passively cooled (fanless) laptops. I haven't looked into Ryzen, but it would be a very nice surprise if there are fanless Ryzen laptops out there.
    - Kuinox 3y ago
      TDP is a lie. M1 can draw up to 100W. https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performance-review/3 https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performanc...
      - lonjil 3y ago
        Did you paste the wrong link? That is about M1 Max, which is a very different, much bigger, chip.
        Kuinox 3y ago
        Indeed the M1 not max draw 30W max, there is a link in the article I sent, my mistake.
      - criddell 3y ago
        The real world implications of these number matter more than the numbers themselves. If you tell me TDP is a lie, I’ll believe you. However, that doesn’t change the fact that there still aren’t any great fanless laptops from anybody other than Apple. I was attributing it to TDP, but maybe it’s something else.