Each year, mobile technology advances, and we’re left wondering if smartphones have become more powerful than the laptop I’m using to write this.
To explore this, we’ll compare these devices and see which one excels in various aspects.
Our main focus will be on modern flagship smartphones and Ultrabooks. Ultrabooks are described by their creator, Intel, as “thin and long-lasting laptops that don’t sacrifice performance.” This definition captures the essence of the latest high-performance laptops designed for home use.
Battery life
The LG G5, the latest in LG’s G-series phones, is reported to have a 20-hour talk time, according to Telefonica. However, other sources suggest that with heavy, continuous use, it’s only 7 hours, which is typical for most phones.
The LG Gram, the latest ultrabook from LG, has a 7-hour battery life. When used properly, both devices offer similar power sustainability. LG may have put more effort into improving battery life this time, especially after facing criticism for it in previous models.
You might expect the laptop to win due to its larger size and advanced technology, but the LG ultrabook has a full HD display and an i7 processor, which can affect its battery life.
Another comparison is between the Samsung S7 and the Macbook Pro, both with a 9-hour battery life. This shows how closely matched these devices are in terms of battery performance.
The quest for the longest battery life is a challenge for both technologies, with all devices struggling to maintain power.
Processor
Processing power is crucial in the smartphone world as devices face growing demands without draining the battery too fast. Smartphones have evolved significantly since the first successful one, the Apple iPhone.
Let’s compare technology: Apple’s flagship iPhone, the 6s, has an A9 chip, a dual-core 1.8GHz processor, and 2GB of RAM.
In contrast, the MacBook Pro boasts a quad-core i7 Processor running at 2.5GHz with 16GB of RAM, outclassing the iPhone in processing power and memory.
The i7 chip, commonly found in modern ultrabooks, outperforms smartphone chips like the A9 and the common Snapdragon chipset. This is because laptops are expected to handle more tasks, from streaming content to running multiple browser tabs, playing music, and running resource-heavy software.
Portability and display
Modern mobile devices are more powerful than ever and incredibly convenient, making smartphones the preferred choice for many tasks. However, if a smartphone were to replace a laptop entirely, it would need a keyboard docking station, which could limit its convenience.
Modern smartphones and ultrabooks offer HD displays in terms of screen quality. Still, the number of pixels per inch (ppi) varies considerably, with the Microsoft Surface Book having 267 ppi and the Samsung S7 boasting 576 ppi. Research suggests that beyond a certain point, like 300ppi, the human eye can’t distinguish any noticeable difference, so the extremely high PPI can be considered a gimmick.
Verdict
So, the question is: has the smartphone made the laptop obsolete for most of our daily tasks? The answer is no, at least not for the majority of people.
Smartphones excel in terms of portability, on-the-go work, and web browsing. Google is even prioritizing mobile-friendly websites in its search results, which is pushing companies to focus on mobile compatibility.
However, laptops are still the go-to choice for tasks like word processing, file editing, and other complex activities. Laptops offer better processing power, usability, and larger screens for these types of tasks.
