RSS Feeds
Gadgets
Toshiba 'Super Charge' Laptop Batteries Hit 90% in 10 Minutes, Age Well
Posted by John Herrman at 1:20 AM on October 1, 2008
Toshiba's Super Charge Ion Batteries (SCiBs) have been floating around in various industrial applications for a while now, prompting some serious envy in the consumer space with their ridiculously fast charge time and remarkable lifespan (5000-6000 charge cycles to a normal lithium ion's 500). A year and about one worn-out laptop battery later, Toshiba is showing a prototype of a SCiB notebook battery at CEATEC, quickly charging a Dynabook in what must be one of the least visually stimulating demos of the show.
They're reticent to give up too many details about an expected release, but due to the complicated manufacturing process it's doubtful that they have a date to hide yet. Also, the lack of competitive capacity claims is suspicious and little disheartening. But hey, cheer up! At least they're trying, right? [PCWorld]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
cpthook
Posted 1:57 AM 1/10/08
@cpthook: Oh wait:
"but due to the complicated manufacturing process it's doubtful that they have a date to hide yet."
Fail
cpthook
cpthook
Posted 1:55 AM 1/10/08
it's about effing time. they've been hyping this thing since 2005. it was originally supposed to be 90% in 5 minutes too
cpthook
Rodime
Posted 1:55 AM 1/10/08
@nizzy1115: If they're smart, they'll sell them to apple, exclusively. Then the apple fanboys might have a real reason to show off how much money they can borrow for a fruity laptop.
Rodime
lpranal
Posted 1:37 AM 1/10/08
Dear Toshiba: one for my macbook pro, please thank you.
lpranal
LastGunslinger
Posted 1:37 AM 1/10/08
@ripfire: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke
LastGunslinger
ripfire
Posted 1:33 AM 1/10/08
@John Herman: You should've mentioned that Schwinn is planning to implement this battery on their Tailwind electric bike.
ripfire
ripfire
Posted 1:24 AM 1/10/08
Must be made of compacted pixie dust.
ripfire
nizzy1115
Posted 1:23 AM 1/10/08
Thats impressive. But the real question is whether or not they will sell their batteries to other computer manufacturers or only keep them for their own.
nizzy1115
AreWeThereYeti
Posted 3:58 AM 1/10/08
This is going to be really sweet for electric cars, since one of the big problems with current battery tech is that the batteries can't charge fast enough to store all the energy from regenerative braking esp. at higher speeds. They've been looking at supercapacitors for that purpose, but this tech might make that unnecessary. Want (on my electric bicycle too!)
AreWeThereYeti
Scaramanga
Posted 3:58 AM 1/10/08
Should be noted that these batteries are primarily designed for hybrids/electric cars as the endpoint for production. These SCiBs are in Schwinn E-Bikes as well.
[www.greencarcongress.com]
Scaramanga
phoomp
Posted 3:46 AM 1/10/08
90% charge in 10 minutes, 95% drain in 5 minutes?
phoomp
MavisPuford
Posted 3:44 AM 1/10/08
First thought when I saw that picture:
"New sugar-free Orbit gum! It leaves your mouth clean, no matter what!"
And I want one. 10 minutes.. MMMmmmmmmm
...Minty.
MavisPuford
aec007
Posted 3:20 AM 1/10/08
Hello electric cars!
It already takes 10 minutes to park, pay, fuel up, get ticket and go....
Sadly, it will not be on cars for the next decade due to non-existent technical difficulties (AKA = oil), and then it will then be a $20K premium...
aec007
LastError
Posted 4:12 AM 1/10/08
V-Max Super Charge!
*giddy with excitement*
I want the battery to start glowing pink, dammit. Not girly girly pink. No. I want "drop your bricks in your pants" V-Max pink, where you get a moment to go "uh.." before it kills you.
LastError
gwolf
Posted 8:37 AM 1/10/08
Keep those idea's coming Japan.
gwolf
willyolio
Posted 2:52 PM 1/10/08
@phoomp:
yeah. it's interesting how the tout the charge times and the long-term battery life, but how long does each charge last?
willyolio
Overheal
Posted 3:32 PM 1/10/08
if they will sell one that fits into my hp laptop i will love them with mouth.
Overheal
Metron4
Posted 2:24 AM 1/10/08
Maybe they are using this technology Giz posted in 2006:
Super Batteries (June 2006)
Metron4