Laptops Arena

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The first notebook computer powered by the fuel cell technology is Lenovo ThinkPad T40 and the power supply prototype comes from PolyFuel, an expert in fuel cell technology, using direct methanol and hydrogen-based cells. Developed for mobile computers, this new type of power supply is bringing a clean, long-running, and cost-effective solution for operations on the go.

Fuel cell "batteries" are electrochemical conversion devices that produce energy from fuel on the anode, and from an oxidant on the cathode. The fuel can be hydrogen, hydrocarbons or alcohols, while the oxidant can be oxygen, air, chlorine or chlorine dioxide. These react at an electrolyte presence, and the reactants that flow into cells produce a flow, which has to be maintained in order to provide non-stop operation. Unlike batteries that use chemically electrical energy, fuel cells consume reactant, which is more stable.
PolyFuel uses Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, where the methanol storage is easier than hydrogen, needing lower lower pressures and lower temperatures. It also provides higher energy level than compressed hydrogen. The company’s solution meant to demonstrate the technology to OEM electronics manufacturers, operates continuously with the simple hot swap of small cartridges of methanol fuel.



To find a better replacement for fluorocarbon membranes that can’t achieve higher performance levels, PolyFuel came out with the membranes based on hydrocarbon polymers. The hydrogen membrane allows the development of smaller and lighter devices, at lower producing costs, and with up to 50% increased durability. It is characterized by higher performance at high temperatures up to low temperatures, as well as in low humidification environments.

"Creating a functioning prototype is a critical step toward the development of a fuel cell reference design that can outperform lithium-ion batteries, and brings closer the achievement of our ultimate objective - the widespread commercialization of portable fuel cell technology," declared Jim Balcom, CEO of PolyFuel.



Lenovo Thinkpad T40 version available on the market currently runs on an Intel Mobile Pentium M processor with speeds from 1.3GHz to 1.6GHz, integrating up to 2GB memory, 80GB HDD drive, graphics performance up to 128MB FIREGL T2 ATI Mobility, wireless module, up to 9-cell battery, DVD-RW, and Windows XP operating system, sporting a 14.1-inch TFT display not widescreen.

Fuel Cell "batteries"' main scope is to increase the mobile devices' operating time significantly.

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QuickerTek is a company from Kansas, specialized in antennas and RF
Products for Apple Mac devices, and has announced a new useful product for the MacBook Air.
It is a solar laptop charger coming in 3 versions with a sporty bag fitting the world’s thinnest notebook.
Apple Juicz is a green product saving the energy and comes in 18-Watt, 27-Watt and 55-Watt foldable solar panels. It charges the MacBook Air during sunlight when you are near a window at the office, at home, or in a park. You can choose from the 3 solar cell panel types to power the laptop in 14 hours, 8 hours or just 5 hours, and these feature the following dimensions when unfolded: 30.5 x 30 inches, 41.5 x 30.5 inches and 60 x 42 inches respectively.

Basically, to power and charge the laptop’s battery, the photovoltaic cells made of semiconductors convert the sunlight into electricity by absorbing the light and free electrons on a certain direction using metal contacts placed on the cells.



The only uncomfortable thing with Apple Juicz is maybe the price which seems a bit high for a solar laptop charger, but taking into account the fact that they are 100% green products and that the laptop uses a non-removable battery. The 18-Watt model costs $500, the 27-Watt is available at $600 while the 55-Watt panel costs $1,000.

Watching the LED status indicator you can see when the MacBook Air is fully charged, and the Element carry bag is practical and protective in the same time.
Included in the set you receive also the adapters for cars and airlines.

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Belkin has released several laptop computer accessories for mini notebooks such as the Asus EeePC, and these include practical cases and nice laptop mice.
To match the mouse with a case you have 4 colors to choose from - jetset red, plum berry, techno blue, and black, and they all will be available until September in North America.



Mini Laptop Quilted Case costs $20 and has a protective and light design made of polyester and fitting 7-inch model, while the Mini Laptop Carrying Case available at $25 features a detachable carrying strap, outside pockets for additional small gadgets, and is made of neoprene.



For the Neoprene Sleeve, Belkin used neoprene and designed it to protect the mini laptop from accidental scratches. It costs $13.



The optical Wireless Travel Mouse priced at $20 eliminates the annoying cables and brings 3 programmable buttons - micro switch, mechanical scrolling wheel, and depressing function on wheel, while you can press the On/Off switch button to save power when you’re not using the mouse.



It works with USB connectivity or wirelessly via an USB stick, and is compatible with Windows Vista and Mac.
The optical Retractable Mouse comes at $15 with a retractable cable, USB connectivity, and Vista operating system and Mac support.



Other cool laptop computer accessories are the unusual mice from Gadget4all, which have a great appeal for teenagers. For example, the USB Aircraft Mouse in Red, Orange, Green, White and Black, available at $17 with 800 dpi resolution, plug-and-play capability to install it without software, USB connectivity, coll LED light, and Windows Vista support. It measures 155 x 115 x 35 mm at 90 grams.



Another option is the USB T-shirt Mouse at $12, with high resolution of 1200 dpi, optical sensing technology, plug-and-play, Vista support, and 3 nice colors to choose from – Blue, Green and Purple. It measures just 90 x 65 x 28 mm at a weight of 65 grams.



And there is something for the girls also, from the laptop computer accessories category. The USB Ladybird Mouse available at a price of $15, measuring only 90 x 50 x 35 mm at 60 grams, which makes it a great laptop travel companion. This mini mouse for small hands has a high resolution of 1000 dpi, is plug-and-play, has USB interface, and comes in Red and Green.

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If you really want to protect your portable computer with 100% efficiency, Hardigg recommends you the best solution providing a new case called Storm Case iM2370, designed to bring mobility, flexibility and access to mobile professionals. Hardigg is a designer and developer of high-quality ultra-resistant plastic molded cases, shipping containers, custom molded products, and SKID-MATE cushion products for government, commercial industries, and consumers.

Hardigg Storm Cases are made of extremely durable and protective materials to ensure best comfort for sensitive equipment, and include press and pull latches that open at the push of a button, permanently attached Vortex valve to adjust the air pressure and protect against liquid intrusions, unbreakable molded-in hasps, special designed hinges with integrated feet , and double-layered soft-grip solid-core carrying handles. You can get optional rugged in-line wheels and telescoping handles for secure locking. All Storm Cases are guaranteed for life.
Now in the form fitting laptop computers with up to 17 inches in diagonal, Storm Cases are ergonomic, lightweight, with 2 multi-cubed foam inserts for laptop support inside the case, padded shoulder strap with double padding and non-slip gripping surface, and a lightweight office organiser with velcro enhanced compartments.



Inside, the height is of 130 mm, and you can place a special protection tray fitting 15.4-inch computer screens, and compartments for CD/DVD drives, spare batteries, stand-alone hard drives, digital cameras, and an external mouse.
Paper documents can be placed in the lid organizer, which supports also additional devices like cell phones, PDAs and 3-ring binders.
The latch locks is a great security tool and there are also a wide cushioned handle and a padded shoulder strap for easy transport.

Hardigg Storm Cases for laptop computers measure 20.0 x 14.7 x 5.8 inches weighting 5.7 lbs.

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Earlier this year Intel has announced the introduction of the next-generation processing technology codenamed Montevina, aka Intel Centrino 2, designed to increase notebooks’ performance and the battery life. The platform integrates Wi-Fi and WiMAX modules for high-speed wireless connectivity, as well as other options with 40% smaller in form, delivering the same performance to subnotebooks.

OCZ Technology Group, the specialist in high speed DDR and RDRAM memory modules, announced its new DDR3 SODIMM memories with support for the next-generation Intel platform. Th new modules are meant to bring very high performance and reliability to notebook computers, reducing the power consumption and in the same time increasing speed and bandwidth. OCZ’s DDR3 SODIMM modules will be used in the upcoming professional and gaming notebooks that will arrive in a few weeks on the market.

The 2 models announced are the PC3-8500 and PC3-10666, which provide increased frequencies at lower voltage requirements.

“The Centrino 2 platform is a logical extension of Intel’s efforts spearheading DDR3 acceptance in the enthusiast segment in the desktop sector,” declared Dr. Michael Schuette, VP of Technology Development at OCZ Technology. “From a technical standpoint, DDR3 memory technology is far superior to DDR2, from the higher frequency range resulting in better overall system performance to the energy savings at idle stemming from loss-less termination to the supply-voltage level and resulting in paramount energy savings in the typical notebook usage pattern.”

The OCZ PC3-8500 DDR3 SODIMM will be available in 2GB and 4GB dual-channel versions, characterized by 1066MHz, unbuffered, 1.5Volts, 200 Pin DIMM and lifetime warranty. 8-8-8-27 timings at 1.5V means minimum power consumption.
OCZ PC3-10666 DDR3 SODIMM modules will also feature 2GB or 4GB capacity, unbuffered, 1.5Volts, 200 Pin DIMM, 1333MHz and 9-9-9-24 timings.

Double-data-rate three synchronous dynamic random access memory modules are an improvement of the DDR2 SDRAM, having the main characteristic the capability to run the I/O bus at 4 times the speed of its memory cells, leading to faster bus speeds and higher peak throughput. In addition, the power consumed, compared to the DDR2, is of 30% lower. DDR2 uses 1.8V while the DDR3 only 1.5V.