Fuel Cells To Appear In Laptops In 2004

prostoalex writes "The overhyped fuel cells will finally be delivered to the portable computing market. Toshiba and NEC will incorporate fuel cells into the laptops by 2004. Sony, Hitachi and Casio are expected to follow the suit. The tests show a fuel cell lasting 10 hours. With the form-factor of a Bic lighter, it allows the laptop user to carry a few extra cells in the laptop bag all the time. Battery prices are expected to run at about $200."

Comments

Re:Will security allow them on planes?

[maeka]

Sounds rather like a potential weapon to me. In which case what's the point?

If you would RTFA you would see that the fuel would be somewhere around 24% methanol / 76% water. One of those single serving vodka bottles would make a better weapon.

Re:The most important thing article doesnt mention

[homer_ca]

Methanol itself is dirt cheap. It's a little more expensive than gasoline, and these fuel cells only use a 24% solution of methanol. 24% is less flammable than the vodka from the drink cart. Article says nothing about refilling, but the potential for profiteering is there by forcing people to buy prefilled fuel canisters just like with inkjets. Of course, the manufacturers will say that they just want to guarantee you the best quality fuel because who knows what impurities are in Brand X methanol mix that'll contaminate your fuel cell.