When Apple announced that it was updating its MacBook Air lineup back in June, one of the most notable new features was the extended battery life. The company promised that users would get up to 12 hours out of one charge, a feat equaled by very few competing laptops in a market where battery efficiency is one of the most important stats for any new notebook.

So what is it that gives the MacBook Air the advantage in longevity? The answer lies in its processor, an Intel Haswell Core i5 CPU that was developed to give customers better performance when streaming video and surfing the internet. Previously, Intel had prioritized power over efficiency when it had released new processors. With Haswells, the company has shifted its focus to power consumption, claiming that these CPUs could boost battery performance by 50 percent.

Subsequent benchmark tests on a number of different Intel processors, published by technology news site Digital Trends, indicate that the company wasn't exaggerating. The writer conducted several tests, including having the computer on idle (not running any software) and surfing the web (with WiFi, which shortens battery life) and found that Haswell processors routinely outperformed previous Intel models.

A recent review of several ultrabooks, including the MacBook Air, was published by the Associated Press and confirmed this fact.

"Although promised battery life on the 13-inch review unit was 12 hours, I was able to get more than 14 hours once by turning off the Wi-Fi connection," said AP reviewer Anick Jesdanun.

The increased energy efficiency of these devices means that customers will have more flexibility while traveling, running around the office and working at home. Make sure to visit the PortableOne online store to find out more about the latest technology in Apple's MacBook Air lineup.