Watts Over mAh: Why the Most Important Gadget Spec Is Hiding in Plain Sight

This article criticizes the misleading use of milliampere-hours (mAh) and GHz to measure battery and processor performance in consumer electronics. The author argues that watts (W) are a far superior metric, directly reflecting a device's actual power and energy consumption. Using the Steam Deck as an example, the author demonstrates with simple math how watts allow for more accurate battery life predictions. The article also exposes manufacturers' deliberate obfuscation of wattage data and the historical origins of the 'horsepower' unit, highlighting its misleading marketing tactics. The author calls for greater transparency from manufacturers in using the accurate watt unit, empowering consumers to better understand device performance.