Source : http://www.tomshardware.fr (in French)
We use more and more battery powered devices in everyday's life : cell phones, music players, laptops, etc. All of those devices have one problem in common, namely a short autonomy, which goes along a rapid degradation of the battery's capacity. We are all looking forward to methanol based cells, generating power from alcohol. Toshiba has made a step in that direction.
This fuel cell on this picture mesures 22x56x4.5mm and weighs 8.5 grams. With 2cc of methanol, this battery can produce 100mW for 20 hours. Toshiba is thinking of integrating this type of batteries in laptops before 2004 ends, and in smaller devices such as telephones and music players during 2005. It is hard to say how much this announcement will change our lives. Soon we will be able to buy refuels for our laptops at the local drugstore. What's more, is that it will be possible to produce lighter devices with bigger screens.
Apple has always pioneered the laptop market. We can't think of any reason why Apple wouldn't introduce this technology in future Powerbooks.
