It’s official — Intel now holds the Windows battery life crown | Digital Trends

A transformative shift in Windows computing has emerged, driven by Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC initiative and a suite of innovative chipsets. While the spotlight often shines on the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the enhanced performance delivered by faster Neural Processing Units (NPUs), the real game-changers are the notable improvements in performance and battery life. This evolution is particularly crucial for Windows, as it seeks to regain ground against Apple’s Silicon MacBooks, renowned for their impressive performance and efficiency.

The latest chipsets making waves include Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300, and Intel’s Lunar Lake. Each of these chipsets boasts an NPU that surpasses Microsoft’s stringent requirement of 40 tera operations per second (TOPS). However, while AMD emphasizes raw performance, Qualcomm and Intel prioritize efficiency. So, how do these contenders stack up against one another?

Performance

As we delve into the performance metrics, it’s important to note that our review database is still in its infancy. This is especially true for Intel’s Lunar Lake, with only two machines reviewed thus far and the complete lineup yet to be unveiled. For now, our focus will be on CPU performance, as the integrated GPUs in these chipsets do not represent significant upgrades over their predecessors. While they may offer some speed enhancements, they fall short compared to even entry-level discrete GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050.

For gaming or content creation, these chipsets require discrete graphics to truly shine. Additionally, we will refrain from discussing AI performance with the NPUs at this stage, as comprehensive benchmarks are still forthcoming. Discrete GPUs remain the champions of performance, with NPUs enhancing on-device AI efficiency rather than delivering blistering speed.

Currently, AMD holds the lead among the reviewed chipsets, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 excelling in CPU-intensive tasks, particularly in multi-core performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite follows closely behind, while Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285V ranks last. However, it’s essential to note that the latter is essentially a low-power variant of the Lunar Lake lineup, demonstrating greater efficiency than raw performance.

The specifications reveal a compelling narrative. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 features 12 cores and 24 threads, operating at speeds up to 5.1GHz. Configurable between 15 watts and 54 watts, it stands as the most power-demanding of the new chipsets. Its architecture includes four full-size Zen 5 cores and eight compact yet equally fast Zen 5c cores. Other variants exist, but our focus remains on the HX 370 for now. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X lineup, including the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus, presents a range of configurations, with TDP values varying significantly based on task demands.

Intel’s Lunar Lake also offers multiple iterations, with the Core Ultra 5 and 7 Series 2 operating at a base TDP of 17 watts, while the Core Ultra 9 Series 2 starts at 30 watts. Configurable between 17W and 37W, Lunar Lake serves as a direct successor to Intel’s U-series Meteor Lake chipsets, although it does not outperform the H-series chips running around 28W. Future mobile Arrow Lake chipsets are anticipated to elevate performance further.

In the realm of performance efficiency, Apple’s M3 chipset remains a benchmark, particularly in the thin-and-light laptop category. The M3, available in both 8-core CPU/8-core GPU and 8-core/10-core GPU configurations, strikes a commendable balance between performance and efficiency. As we evaluate the laptops tested thus far, the AMD and Qualcomm chipsets emerge as clear leaders, while Intel’s Lunar Lake shows promise but falls short of the top contenders. Apple’s M3 chipset continues to excel, especially in single-core performance, with the forthcoming M4 expected to raise the bar even higher.

Battery Life

Efficiency is paramount, particularly for Qualcomm and Intel, as they strive to match the standards set by Apple Silicon. Early results suggest that Intel’s Lunar Lake may outperform Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X in battery life, yet it still trails behind Apple’s M3. The Asus Zenbook S 14, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7, currently stands out as the best performer in terms of battery longevity. Further testing may reveal discrepancies in the ExpertBook P5’s web-browsing battery life, warranting a closer examination.

Examining the data, the Asus Zenbook S 14, equipped with an OLED display, showcases remarkable battery life across various tests, including video playback and more demanding tasks like web browsing and the Cinebench R24 multi-core benchmark. In contrast, the AMD chipset, while powerful, does not prioritize efficiency, placing it at a disadvantage. Intel’s Meteor Lake chipsets have similarly underperformed in this regard.

Ultimately, the Apple M3 chipset retains its position as the efficiency leader, though Qualcomm demonstrates commendable efficiency when its CPU is not heavily taxed. As the M4 MacBook Air approaches release, Apple’s lead may widen, yet Lunar Lake stands as the most formidable chipset for Windows laptops to date. This narrative is far from complete; ongoing data collection will continue as more laptops and chipsets, including Intel’s Arrow Lake mobile and Apple’s M4, emerge. For the moment, Windows laptops are experiencing a renaissance, with Intel at the forefront of advancements in battery life.