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First Laptop With Full-Sized Solar Panels Will Run On Ubuntu

Posted by Soulskill on from the not-sure-i-have-the-acreage-for-it dept.

iwritethings writes "The Sol, a rugged-looking laptop with built-in foldable solar panels is designed for use in the military, education and developing countries where electricity is scarce. The Canada-based makers behind the Sol claim that the device can run directly off solar energy or can harness the sun's rays to charge the laptop's battery in under two hours. Once fully charged, the battery is expected to last between eight and 10 hours. While the concept of solar charging gadgets isn't new, this type of battery life is unprecedented. There's no word on when Sol will launch, but its headed to Ghana first, and it will run Ubuntu Linux."

4 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Seems like a terrible design by SSpade · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A separate set of solar panels could be used to power / charge things other than a laptop, and a set of solar panels connected by a cable would let you sit in the cool shade while using the laptop during the day, rather than having to sit out in the sun (where it's hot and you can't see the screen).

    Assuming it's real, which I have some doubts about - a couple of square feet of solar panels provides enough power to drive four or five laptops?

    1. Re:Seems like a terrible design by pla · · Score: 5, Informative

      a couple of square feet of solar panels provides enough power to drive four or five laptops?

      My PC draws under 45W average, and around 20W idle. At my latitude, that would require about 4 square feet (as in, 2x2, not 4x4), and I live pretty far North.

      Computers have gotten a lot more efficient since the bad ol' days of the P4, and solar panels have gotten a lot cheaper (like under $2/W). Given a laptop specifically designed for low power, I have no trouble considering this an entirely realistic design goal - An 8sqft 100W panel and a few laptops that draw 10-20W? You could probably even manage it with OEM hardware, never mind anything hardcore optimized for power.

  2. Re:In a nutshell by Skapare · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want you to have one. You obviously need a new caps lock key.

    --
    now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
  3. Save Frequently by cdxta · · Score: 5, Funny

    Every time a cloud goes over you're going to loose your work, or is your work in the cloud?