News Bits: HP Long-Life Batteries, Netbooks Are On Top, Google Chrome Out Of Beta

HP to offer batteries that last 3 years

HP is planning to use a new battery in its notebook computers that can last three years of normal usage before losing their maximum capacity. Boston Power's Sonata battery uses lithium-ion technology like most current notebook batteries. It can recharge in only 30 minutes and is less prone to overheating. Today's notebook batteries typically only last slightly over a year before losing capacity.

The Sonata batteries will be sold under the Enviro brand next year by HP on select notebook models; customers will also be able to purchase them as replacement batteries. HP will offer a three-year warranty on the batteries. No information on pricing has been released.

Full Story (InformationWeek.com)

Omega-series ASUS notebooks coming in 2009

ASUS is planning to launch an Omega-series notebook computer brand in 2009. It will be priced between US$600-900 and target the higher-end side of the entry-level market. ASUS plans to ship eight million of the notebooks next year.

Full Story (DigiTimes.com)

Netbooks are bright spot of computer industry

Although the fourth quarter PC market this year is not looking good, there is some good news. Netbook shipments increased 1.6x quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter of this year; most large notebook brands have entered the market. DisplaySearch expects the netbook market to increase to about 14 million units by the end of this year.

Full Story (DigiTimes.com)

Seagate cuts OEM drive warranties to 3 years

Seagate announced today that it is cutting the warranty on its non-retail, bare drive OEM hard drives to three years from five. Seagate's retail hard drives will still carry a five-year warranty.

Full Story (HEXUS.net)

Google Chrome web browser now out of beta

Google's Chrome web browser is no longer in the beta stage; the 15th update for the browser on Thursday marked the end of it. Google has improved plug-in stability and performance, increased start-up and page loading times, and better bookmark features. In addition, Chrome features improved security features such as Safe Browsing.

Full Story (GoogleBlog.blogspot.com)

 

Wow, Google Software actually out of beta :laugh:

How did Chrome beat gMail out of beta though?

 

hoorah for Sonata Batteries! new battery technology couldnt have come soon enough!

 

Chrome is out of beta so that Computer Manufacturers can preinstall it on notebooks and desktops. They didn't feel comfortable with the beta tag.

 

Ah right. That's a good reason.

 

Chrome looks very promising. Hopefully they'll release a Mac version soon.

 

I'm liking the sound of the new batteries.

 

I hope these new batteries will be available for all notebook owners. But I guess some companies will want you to buy a complete new notebook model in order to get new features (glances at Apple).

 

yeah,new batteries FTW!!!

 

Done that HDX review yet Xirurg?

 

Awesome news. I also hope they release these for all laptops and not just certain brands and models.

 

Finally, HP. My batteries lasting only 10 minutes after 1 year of use? Totally, totally sad.

 

Sadly,I don't have free time stupid uni/exams!

 

hmmm looking forward to those batteries!

I don't really like Chrome, just how it interfaces is odd.. FF3 and IE7 are much better IMO.

 

Thanks for the info, Chaz

That's cool about the HP Batt's, now if Dell would come to the frontline and do something like this...


Cin

 

I hope Lenovo comes out with a 9 cell version of these batteries...been wanting to upgrade my T400 to a 9 cell battery.

 

The new batteries sound really interesting, looking forward to more info on that.

 

I'm glad HP's doing something about their batteries. It's a well known fact around campus here that HP's batteries hold their charge capacity for no longer than a year; it's usually less than that before the batteries have to be replaced. I know mine was only getting 30-45min on a single charge after 1.5 years, and everyone said I was really lucky to have any charge capacity left at all!

(Everyone here at school has HPs, with the exception of the Seniors, who have Dells)

 

Wow, who knew batteries would go from maybe 5 hours all the way to lasting for 3 years!


P.S.-Just kidding, LOL

 

I wonder if Boston Power is using the same battery technology as A123Systems, also based in Boston.

A123Systems was one of the two finalists for supplying batteries for the Chavy Volt. I belive Chevy chose LG, which was able to expand production more quickly.

Either way, I think we can thank the new battery technology on hybred innovation.

 

These days, I wonder if we will ever even see a Volt. :-(

P.S. Way to go Chrome!