The long battery lives promised by computer makers never seem to actually occur.
Some of the companies making and selling computers are contemplating a way to give people a more accurate idea of how long the HP Compaq Business Notebook nx7400 Battery in their devices will last. I know, I know — accuracy and battery life measurements don’t usually make it into the same sentence. The long battery lives promised by computer makers never seem to actually occur.
The Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, will use IBM ThinkPad T41 Battery packs manufactured in the United States by General Motors, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced at the North American International Auto Show.
For one, people really put their laptops through their multitasking paces these days, watching video while puttering around the Web and chatting on the side. It would help to have a test that reflects this behavior.
“The design, development and production of advanced Laptop Batteries must be a core competency for GM, and we’ve been rapidly building our capability and resources to support this direction,” Wagoner said. “This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile and to the Chevrolet Volt - a commitment that now totals more than $1 billion.”
“The poster child for openness on HP Compaq Business Notebook nx8200 Battery life is the iPhone,” Mr. Moorhead said. Apple lists the talk time if the phone is connected to the fast 3G data network, talk time on 2G, hours of Internet use on 3G, hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, hours of video playback and hours of audio playback.
“Our selection of LG Chem was based on performance, production readiness, efficiency, durability and LG Chem’s demonstrated track record of exceptional quality,” Wagoner said. “At GM, we believe the technical strengths of LG Chem, combined with our own engineering and manufacturing expertise, will help position us as a key player in the development of electrically driven vehicles today and in the future.”
More encouraging would be the adoption of better IBM ThinkPad Z60t Battery measures. But the PC crowd only seems to be flirting with this idea. The most A.M.D. would say is that “some” retailers and PC makers are interested in displaying at least two battery life metrics on their machines.
Intel contends that this is all talk from A.M.D., saying that its rival has yet to propose any changes to MobileMark or a more complete test during consortium meetings about the test. “Judging from their P.R. efforts, our competitor appears very passionate about this topic,” said Bill Kircos, an Intel spokesman. “We really encourage them to bring any new proposals or edits to the nonprofit industry consortium called BAPCo.”