Regarding the problem discussed in the article, the Dell could easily cost $3,000, and the problem would not exist a $1000 MacBook, even an Intel one.
In this case, I think it’s Apple’s proper prioritization of features. Probably also that Apple is able to do this because they don’t have to work on dozens of different models at the same time.
It’s amazing to me that no major PC manufacturers have really done this yet.
I had the exact overheating in a bag problem described here with my 2012 15" MBP within days of buying it. It had all sorts of sleep problems for a very long time.
Background tasks on Mac laptops can create a similar problem, but they are largely software created, and rarely out-of-the-box scenarios. Enterprise security tools like endpoint protection scanners and VPN clients made available for Mac but seemingly built in a different power state mentality have been shown to interrupt sleep mode and drain battery.
I've also heard mixed reports of different generations behaving badly, and I haven't used all of them.
In college my MBP lived in my backpack. You finish a class, close the lid watch the light change and away you go. Nothing will wake it until you open it.
Now with enterprise scanning tools running for "security" they check in daily or hourly to look for new threat signatures or what have you, no matter the power state, no matter the network state, no matter if its in a bag. Likely because the bulk of the tool was just ported from a world where you turn it off or the computer isn't off.
In this case, I think it’s Apple’s proper prioritization of features. Probably also that Apple is able to do this because they don’t have to work on dozens of different models at the same time.
It’s amazing to me that no major PC manufacturers have really done this yet.