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Piezoelectric Transformers

Posted by michael on from the no-more-power-bricks dept.

behoward writes "Tired of those big honking power adapters needed for all your portable toys? Me too! So far the best solution I've seen is the AC adapter for my G4 Powerbook, a sleek combo yoyo/flying saucer; but while it looks good on the desktop, it still makes too big of a bulge in my case when I travel. Now engineers at Penn State are working on a real solution. Hope Apple gets this technology in place in time for the G5 Powerbook."

2 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Apple? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Apple get it in time for the G5 powerbook? Some hope - since when have Apple ever done anything other than slavishly copy other company's ideas?

  2. Apple's YoYo transformer is crap... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    It is unreliable, it is unwieldy, it is hard to pack (sure, the cord that plugs into the powerbook wraps up nice, but the power cord doesn't). It is poorly designed and in fact Apple doesn't use them anymore. They have a much more sensible design with the newer PowerBooks.

    The design previous to the yo-yo was better, other than its propensity to short out and cause fires. Hmmm, is there a trend? Why yes, when I was at Apple I replace a lot of PowerBook transformers where the tip's plastic had crumbled.

    Is there a portable maker that has good transformers and good quality and good service? I'm sick of Apple's mediocre quality and their horseshit service on portables (mine came back from service WORSE than I sent it in! And don't get me started on their phone reps, they are mindless script reading monkeys).