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The degrading run-time of may well be a thing of the past, with out waiting for fuel cells, if Boston Power's Sonata cells live up to their claims.
The rechargeable batteries we use in our laptop computers -- ditto in our mobile phones and a lot of other portable devices -- get marginally better, in terms of item evolution. Compared to the NiCAD and NiMH notebook batteries of yore, they're a noticeable improvement for example, it's been a when because we've had to worry about the "memory impact" that meant becoming careful to charge batteries entirely, to keep away from capacity creep-down.
But compared to what we need, today's Lithium-Ion (LiON) batteries aren't there but.
They do not hold a full day's charge, or they do at the expense of adding bulk, weight and expense. They don't last as long as the rest of the notebook's components -- even if you don't use them within a year or less, run-time seriously begins to degrade. And they take too long to charge.
Some consumers stay wary to conduct mobile transactions but perception, reality aren't in sync
And, lithium-ion batteries are not consistently secure, and have disposal issues.
1 enterprise claiming a much better battery -- that is, the chemistry for a far better battery -- is ZPower, employing silver-zinc, which, according to ZPower, can pack 40% far more juice, and be safer to use and dispose of.
Still, ZPower does not seem to have any actual product yet, in spite of "This year for certain"-kind (with apologies to Bullwinkle T. Moose) claims for the past year or so. The internet web-site does not list any merchandise, the latest press release is dated September 2009... even mobile fuel cells have actually come to industry ahead of ZPower.
But at least one enterprise has in fact delivered product: Boston Power, which includes its Sonata batteries for use in notebooks and other portable/mobile devices and applications, and Swing batteries "suitable for electric vehicles, industrial equipment, and utility applications."
There are not as numerous vendors offering Sonata-type batteries as I'd expect. HP began providing some in early 2009, either as an accessory pack or (for a model sold in Europe) shipped as the normal battery. According to Boston Power, HP delivers them, mostly as "the HP Lengthy Life Battery Accessory," with fifteen commercial notebook models.
And Boston Power has just announced a deal with Asus, providing them normal with ASUS B Series notebooks.
In contrast to classic lithium-ion batteries, exactly where run time degrades within two years or even 1, says Sally Bament, VP of Advertising and marketing, Boston Power, Boston Power's preserve like-new run time for over 3 years: "Our chemistry guarantees that like-new run time for effectively over three years, based on cycle life."
Is that seriously the case? I do not know...but HP and Asus both give 3-year warrantees on the Sonata batteries, guaranteeing performance, according to Bament.
Also, says Bament, "We support 90% charge in 90 minutes, and we can charge even more quickly, the cell can charge to 80% in 30 minutes."
"There's no question that the longer battery life is imperative, and so is quickly charge, once you have utilised a notebook long sufficient where these are not the case," says analyst Bob O'Donnell, Vice President, Clients and Displays, IDC. "The challenge for Boston Power is that they are a small supplier, and larger vendors like HP commonly want to second-source, which is not an selection here."
According to Bament, battery capacity, and pricing from Boston Power, are comparative with traditional LiON batteries... while in terms of price, Bament notes, "The vendor may well get a premium, with the three year warrantee." (Showing that some computer vendors have studied with the airline market school of pricing.)
I find it fascinating -- and unlikely -- that, if these batteries function as claimed, only HP and Asus have jumped on the electric bandwagon. I'd expect, at minimum, Apple, Lenovo, Dell... nicely, everyone.
Bament's response: "We have publicly announced Asus and HP at this time."
IDC's O'Donnell's point concerning second-sourcing is a reasonable explanation. I believe that if I were running Boston Power, I'd be doing my dangdest to license the heck out of the technology, if need be.
Thankfully and interestingly, the rest of us do not have to wait for the next round of offers. Sonata batteries are available for Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba and other notebooks, not to mention for digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs and far more, by means of Battery-Company.
If you are searching for the preferred brand new at the most preferred cost, you have come to the correct spot. Weprovide the highest high quality Laptop Batteries for the lowest cost with the highest level of service, all in a secure and handy platform. Our item range incorporate for most major laptop brands, including Dell, Apple, Compaq/HP, IBM/Lenovo, Fujitsu, Gateway, Sony and Toshiba.
Sadly, I did not see Green Series for the netbook or digital camera I wanted to attempt them with... but I'm tempted to get 1 for my five-year-old IBM ThinkPad, whose primary and secondary batteries no longer hold a lot of a charge, to say the least.
Anyway, if these batteries definitely do what they say they do -- granted, it'll take three years to fully test the no-degredation claim, even though a year or so will get started to tell the tale -- mobile productivity and TCO has just gotten somewhat greater.
