Laptop Audit Index
Laptops are the most heavily manipulated category in tech journalism. We test thermal throttling, actual battery life, and hinge durability.
| Model | Claimed Battery | Actual Battery | Thermal Penalty | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air M3 | 18 hours | 11.2 hours | -4% | 8.8/10 |
| Dell XPS 15 (2024) | 14 hours | 7.4 hours | -12% | 7.1/10 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 | 15 hours | 9.1 hours | -2% | 8.4/10 |
| Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | 10 hours | 4.8 hours | -18% | 6.9/10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the actual battery life always lower?
Manufacturers test battery life by playing a local 1080p video with Wi-Fi off and screen brightness at 30%. This is not realistic.
What is a Thermal Penalty?
If a laptop CPU hits 95C and downclocks itself within 5 minutes of a render, we apply a Thermal Penalty to the overall score.