Good idea? Bad idea? New Powerbook battery - original sketch inside
I was just sitting around looking dreamily at my new powerbook and I got to thinking about battery life. I know that there are a lot of complaints that battery life isn't all that great, so I thought "Why not make a better battery?"
This is a rough sketch that I made. I figured that it might not be a bad idea to make a larger capacity battery that was the entire size of the Powerbook (or iBook I guess.) I figure since the Powerbook batteries are now connected to the bottom instead of the sides like the old style Powerbooks this wouldn't be that hard.
Take a look:
The height isn't to scale. I figure that it would be about half the height of the Powerbook. Who knows, it might be able to be even thinner since the battery itself is dispersed over such a large area. I also thought it would be good to add fans because it might get a tad hot with such a big battery.
Now I know that this isn't exactly ideal for most people since it adds bulk to the laptop but maybe for some people that might tend to be away from power outlets for a long time and don't feel like carrying several batteries with them (and having to sleep the Powerbook to change the battery), this could be a good way to get extra life out of their laptops.
What do you think sirs?
This is a rough sketch that I made. I figured that it might not be a bad idea to make a larger capacity battery that was the entire size of the Powerbook (or iBook I guess.) I figure since the Powerbook batteries are now connected to the bottom instead of the sides like the old style Powerbooks this wouldn't be that hard.
Take a look:
The height isn't to scale. I figure that it would be about half the height of the Powerbook. Who knows, it might be able to be even thinner since the battery itself is dispersed over such a large area. I also thought it would be good to add fans because it might get a tad hot with such a big battery.
Now I know that this isn't exactly ideal for most people since it adds bulk to the laptop but maybe for some people that might tend to be away from power outlets for a long time and don't feel like carrying several batteries with them (and having to sleep the Powerbook to change the battery), this could be a good way to get extra life out of their laptops.
What do you think sirs?
Comments
reg
looks expensive and probably isn't worth the cost..
another
I'd like to see one more tailored to the Powerbook, like my sketch, but I still think it's a great idea for people like film makers and such to have out on site so they don't have to worry about being near any power outlets.
And yeah, $400 is a tad expensive
The Ti G4 1Ghz has a 60Wh LiIon battery in the same form factor as the 42Wh LiIon in the Al G4's. The battery got weaker. It's definitely possible to cram 90Wh into the same form factor if Polymer LiIon packs were used rather than the Prismatic or Cylindrical cells that are in there now.
Originally posted by kaboom
I was just sitting around looking dreamily at my new powerbook and I got to thinking about battery life. I know that there are a lot of complaints that battery life isn't all that great, so I thought "Why not make a better battery?"
This is a rough sketch that I made. I figured that it might not be a bad idea to make a larger capacity battery that was the entire size of the Powerbook (or iBook I guess.) I figure since the Powerbook batteries are now connected to the bottom instead of the sides like the old style Powerbooks this wouldn't be that hard.
Have you had a look at fuel cells ? Fuel cells run on hydrogen (usually from Methanol or another hydrocarbon based substance), and have the possibility to have 90% energy efficiency (Combared to medern cars about 20% efficiency combustion engines). Using a fuel cell with a 100 ml methanol might get you about 170Wh with todays technology, while in the future as much as 300+ Wh per 100ml of methanol.
Article: http://www.dansdata.com/gz022.htm
Toshiba has an article about their prototypes (Promised for 2004) using fuel cells to power a laptop: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2003_03/pr0501.htm . This laptop promises 10 hours of battery om 100cc (100ml) of methanol, and the fuel cell takes two cartridges 50cc and 100cc types.
The fuel cell will split methanol into Carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and exaust water. This water will go back into the fuel cell to dillute the methanol to a 3.3% solution.
Also, New scientist have a good article on the topic: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993539
This does look like a promising technology, but I havent seen any really good product in the last few years, though. I also know that most car manufactureres are working on fuel cell models, simply because they are capable of getting a lot of mileage on a single liter of petrol (about 3 times as much as todays combustion engines). I saw a demonstration by Audi on TV a few moths ago, and their prototype was about as efficient as todays combustion motors, but as quiet as an electrical motor (less moving parts).
Now, where did that TV show "Beyond 2000" go ? I'm sure they would have been all over this technology ages ago!
.:BoeManE:.
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/index/
and if you'd like to shop for products: http://www.fuelcellstore.com/cgi-bin...NavPage/cat=64
.:BoeManE:.
Originally posted by kaboom
I know that there are a lot of complaints that battery life isn't all that great
well, all my friends with dell's get an hour per charge, while i get 5 hours with my 12 inch pbook. i think i'm doing ok.
Originally posted by ipodandimac
well, all my friends with dell's get an hour per charge, while i get 5 hours with my 12 inch pbook. i think i'm doing ok.
Hehe... My sisters boyfriend gets about ~25 minutes use on his mobile athlon when you use it normally. Its 8 months old.