The Apple MacBook Air 2020 is 30% brighter when you use Windows

[Redaktion]

During our tests with the new 2020 Apple MacBook Air, we noticed that the display is around 30% brighter when you use Windows. But how is that possible?

https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Apple-MacBook-Air-2020-is-30-brighter-when-you-use-Windows.464451.0.html

[S.Yu]

IIRC the calibration target should always be 150nits(excluding HDR workflow), but the first thing that comes to mind is limiting peak brightness may prolong the life of the backlight, retaining acceptable brightness for longer.

[_MT_]

Since you can go higher than expected in Windows, I think it's reasonable to assume it's a bug, not an intention. In which case it's debatable whether it's advisable to go there. Just because the power supply can give more current to the backlight (and diodes will happily accept a lot if you let them) doesn't mean it's intended to operate at those levels (they will also happily destroy themselves).

[Igniam]

The same thing - unlocking of power - could be the reason that the speakers burnt up on the 2016 models before Windows got patched.

[Bahamut]

IIRC the calibration target should always be 150nits(excluding HDR workflow), but the first thing that comes to mind is limiting peak brightness may prolong the life of the backlight, retaining acceptable brightness for longer.

We are talking about LCD displays. They have longer lifespan than any other parts of that notebook, regardless of the brightness levels. So this argument makes no sense.

[_MT_]

We are talking about LCD displays. They have longer lifespan than any other parts of that notebook, regardless of the brightness levels. So this argument makes no sense.

I guess that depends on when you consider a backlight to be dead. I don't know about any other, but yes, they're pretty durable. However, are you claiming that a five year old laptop has the same maximum brightness as when it was new?

You can indeed make LEDs shine brighter. But it's going to come at the cost of their lifespan. And as they age, their output decreases, they degrade. Heat plays major role in this process (more current = more light and more heat = faster aging). Conversely, it is possible to prolong their lifespan. Which will also flatten the degradation curve. Having headroom would then allow for possible correction. It's up to engineers to make those choices based on priorities and goals. There are always compromises and trade-offs to be made. The fact that backlights have good lifespans simply means engineers are doing a good job. De-rating of components is common practice. Although in this case, I imagine they would simply include it in their specification since it's made to order.

[S.Yu]

We are talking about LCD displays. They have longer lifespan than any other parts of that notebook, regardless of the brightness levels. So this argument makes no sense.

I guess that depends on when you consider a backlight to be dead. I don't know about any other, but yes, they're pretty durable. However, are you claiming that a five year old laptop has the same maximum brightness as when it was new?

You can indeed make LEDs shine brighter. But it's going to come at the cost of their lifespan. And as they age, their output decreases, they degrade. Heat plays major role in this process (more current = more light and more heat = faster aging). Conversely, it is possible to prolong their lifespan. Which will also flatten the degradation curve. Having headroom would then allow for possible correction. It's up to engineers to make those choices based on priorities and goals. There are always compromises and trade-offs to be made. The fact that backlights have good lifespans simply means engineers are doing a good job. De-rating of components is common practice. Although in this case, I imagine they would simply include it in their specification since it's made to order.

Yeah this guy gets it. If you've had a broken screen 3 years into the life of a laptop and had to get a new one, you'd be surprised by how brighter the new screen(same model) goes.